Earlier this month, “UltraRunning Journal” launched the outcomes of their annual North American UltraRunner of the 12 months voting. These awards, which have been offered yearly by the journal since 1981 — aside from 2020, when the voting was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic — are awarded to the highest female and male ultrarunners in North America.
Restricted to full-time North American residents, no matter citizenship, and North Americans, no matter residency, the North American UltraRunner of the 12 months (UROY) awards present an annual alternative for followers and individuals to debate and talk about excellence within the sport.
For 2023, the highest spots went to Courtney Dauwalter and Jim Walmsley. For Dauwalter this was her fifth consecutive journey to the highest step of the UROY podium, as she concluded a rare yr, which featured wins at Western States 100, Hardrock 100, and UTMB. For Walmsley, this was the sixth time previously seven years he has gained the award.
Jim Walmsley, 2023 UTMB champion, and six-time winner of UltraRunning Journal’s UltraRunner of the 12 months award. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Earlier Feminine Winners
A glance again on the historical past of the award locations Dauwalter in second place all time together with her 5 wins. Solely the legendary Ann Trason gained extra UROY awards with 12. Trason gained 11 in a row from 1988 to 1998, after which a twelfth in 2001. Whereas it’s clear that Dauwalter is an unimaginable runner, I think Trason’s document is secure, for now.
Behind Dauwalter on the all-time ladies’s listing are a pair of legends, Nikki Kimball and Ellie Greenwood. Kimball gained the award in 2003, 2004, and 2007, whereas Greenwood gained the award in 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Behind them there are solely 4 different a number of time winners — Marcy Schwam (1981, 1982), Sandra Kiddy (1985, 1986), Anne Riddle (2005, 2006), and Kami Semick (2008, 2009) — who’ve two wins apiece.
Marcy Schwam, who set the primary ladies’s 48-hour document in 1979 — winner of the 1981 and 1982 UltraRunner of the 12 months awards. Picture: Sri Chinmoy Marathon Group
Earlier Male Winners
On the lads’s facet, Walmsley’s six wins place him on high of a somewhat gifted heap. Two behind, with 4 wins every, are two Western States 100 legends, Scott Jurek and Tom Johnson.
Jurek gained three consecutive awards in 2003, 2004, and 2005, after which a fourth in 2007. Curiously, in 2006, in one of many closest votes within the historical past of the award, Karl Meltzer edged out Jurek for his first and to date solely UROY award.
Johnson gained his 4 awards consecutively between 1994 and 1997, when he was a dominant drive within the sport on each the paths and the roads.
Bernd Heinrich gained the award 3 times within the early days of 1981, 1983, and 1984. 5 runners throughout the many years — Stu Mittleman (1982, 1985), Andy Jones (1990, 1991), Kevin Setnes (1993, 1998), Geoff Roes (2009, 2010), and Rob Krar (2013, 2014) — all have two wins every.
Irrespective of the way you slice it, the stretch of excellence that each Dauwalter and Walmsley have displayed over the past seven years is really extraordinary within the historical past of the game. Apart from Trason, who’s an outlier, we might by no means see a run of excellence like this once more. And, it is going to be fascinating to see how for much longer each streaks final.
Bottoms up!
Courtney Dauwalter — 2023 UltraRunner of the 12 months — climbs amongst the 2023 Hardrock 100 wildflowers. Picture: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Yards Brewing Firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington’s Porter is a deep and strong porter that’s impressed by Normal George Washington’s unique recipe. With sturdy hints of chocolate and a easy end it’s clear that, as with many issues, the Normal actually knew what he was doing!
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How lengthy do you suppose Jim Walmsley and Courtney Dauwalter will sustain their profitable methods at this award?
