This is an exciting time of year for fans of trail running and ultrarunning, as it is typically when many year-end reviews are published. Typically, headlining those reviews are discussions and debates of the sport’s top athletes and performances. For me, it is the time when I turn my attention to my annual “UltraRunning Magazine” North American Ultrarunner of the Year (UROY) ballot, a process I have participated in for the past 20 years.
This year, as is the case almost every year, filling out the ballot will be challenging, as the athletes and performances have once again been truly outstanding. In my assessment, 2025 also stands out as a year with more high-profile DNFs than in recent years. “UltraRunning Magazine” doesn’t give any specific criteria in weighing DNFs in their voting instructions, and it is up to each voter to determine for themselves the importance of a particular race result, including DNFs. Fourteen years ago, I wrote about my feelings about DNFs in UROY voting, and it led to a vigorous debate and a whopping 50 comments — which are well worth a read when you have time.
Katie Schide touches the rock after winning the 2025 Hardrock 100 in course record time. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Seven years ago, I wrote about the methodology I use in filling out my ballot. In creating my ranking, I give scores from 1 to 5 for each race result. A score of 1 might be a first-place finish at an off-season fatass run, while a score of 5 might be a top-three finish in a competitive race like Western States 100 or UTMB. For DNFs, I assign a score of zero. After adding up each runner’s point total and dividing by their total number of starts, I order the full list.
By way of example, Caleb Olson will earn three 5s in my ranking with wins at Transgrancanaria, Western States, and the Grampian Peaks 100 Mile in Australia, and a zero for his DNF at Trail World Championships Long Trail, so his score is 3.75. Katie Schide, on the other hand, with wins at the Hardrock 100, Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, and the Trail World Championships Long Trail, and no DNFs, scores 5.0.
Caleb Olson crossing the American River en route to winning the 2025 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Of the runners with the potential to be in the top five in the UROY rankings, several have high-profile DNFs. Javelina 100 Mile winner and course-record-holder Tara Dower DNFed at Western States and the Mammoth 200 Mile. Multiple-time UROY Courtney Dauwalter had a DNF at the Cocodona 250 Mile, and 2025 Western States champion Abby Hall DNFed at UTMB. On the men’s side, in addition to Olson, Western States runner-up Chris Myers DNFed at the Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100k and CCC. Meanwhile, Leadville 100 Mile course-record-holder David Roche DNFed at Western States, and 2024 UROY Hayden Hawks DNFed at UTMB.
Abby Hall at Red Star Ridge (mile 15) on her way to winning the 2025 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
On the flip side, there are notable runners without DNFs on their resumes this year. In addition to Schide, two-time Cocodona 250 Mile winner Rachel Entrekin also made it through every 2025 race she started. For the men, the no-DNFs list is equally impressive, including multiple-time UROY Jim Walmsley, Javelina winner and course record holder Will Murray, and JFK 50 Mile winner Hans Troyer.
Time will tell how the voters on this year’s panel come down with the seemingly higher-than-average number of DNFs in 2025. I look forward to seeing the results and also sharing my own impressions of the voting early in January.
Bottoms up!
Jim Walmsley on his way to the 2025 Trail World Championships Long Trail win. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. One of the oldest craft breweries in the country, Deschutes has produced Obsidian Stout since 1988. It is a deep, black stout brewed in the European tradition. A rich, creamy brew, Obsidian is the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter night.
Call for Comments
- How would you rank DNFs in UROY voting?
- What do you think were the top performances of 2025?
