Based on some heated Facebook discussions about Ultra Runner of the Year honors, I am compiling my own list with straight forward criteria. This is an official blog and should eliminate any argument or accusation of bias :)
1) The runner must have run in a race I directed or co-directed in 2014 (Destin Ultras, Six Days in the Dome, Dia De Los Muertos 24hr, Old Glory Trail Trot).
2) They must be nice to race directors and all around cool people to hang out with
3) Very helpful if they run fast or run for a really long time
Men’s UROY Long Course Track – Joe Fejes
-580 miles/6 Days, Six Days in the Dome. That is REALLY hard to do (especially for an older fella from Georgia). That is more than any other American, ever. *Male Performance of the Year*
-110 miles in the sand in 24hrs, Destin Beach Ultras. Although he did not break his previous best of 134 miles, Joe owns the sand.
-Joe works A LOT and still puts up the big miles consistently. Just in case you think you are too busy to run.
Men’s UROY “Short Course” Track- Zach Bitter
-100 miles in 12:08, Six Days in the Dome. That is REALLY fast. Try running 7:16 miles around a track. Comment below how many laps you get at that pace.
-6:44 & 6:49 100K performances, the second earning him 6th place at the 100K World Championships. Now run on a road or similar surface at 6:30 miles. Comment below how many mile you got at that pace.
-He teaches middle school special education and supports our veterans through Team RW&B.
Women’s UROY "Short Course"- Connie Gardner
-Overall win and new 50M course record at Destin Ultras
-World Indoor Record 100K at Six Days in the Dome
-Wins in Destin, Graveyard 100, Buzzard Day 50K, Mohican 100, Pine Creek 100, Tussey Mountain 50M
-She was 50 years old for all of those; a great Mom/sister, works and volunteers her ass off.
Women’s UROY Long Course- Traci Falbo
-242 miles in 48hrs, Six Days in the Dome. Indoor World Record, American overall record. *Female Performance of the Year*
-14:45 for 100M at Tunnel Hill. American Trail Record, 4th fastest American female 100M.
-7:42 for 50M, Destin Beach Utlra Runs, Course Record.
-147 miles in 24hrs, Desert Solstice. 4th best distance American female 24hr.
-She is a full time pediatric physical therapist and great Mom- and better be a great wife as much as she abuses her husband/crew chief during races :)
Clearly it is pouring rain outside and I am neglecting some other aspect of my life to write this. But all joking aside, this only highlights the problem of defining who is the best in ultra running. Without a National Championship in each distance that all the best runners in the country attend, 'the most competitive races' that exclude some of the best runners due to a lottery system, a World Championship system that can't seem to put on consistent world championships every year- how will we ever know who is the best?
1) The runner must have run in a race I directed or co-directed in 2014 (Destin Ultras, Six Days in the Dome, Dia De Los Muertos 24hr, Old Glory Trail Trot).
2) They must be nice to race directors and all around cool people to hang out with
3) Very helpful if they run fast or run for a really long time
Men’s UROY Long Course Track – Joe Fejes
-580 miles/6 Days, Six Days in the Dome. That is REALLY hard to do (especially for an older fella from Georgia). That is more than any other American, ever. *Male Performance of the Year*
-110 miles in the sand in 24hrs, Destin Beach Ultras. Although he did not break his previous best of 134 miles, Joe owns the sand.
-Joe works A LOT and still puts up the big miles consistently. Just in case you think you are too busy to run.
Men’s UROY “Short Course” Track- Zach Bitter
-100 miles in 12:08, Six Days in the Dome. That is REALLY fast. Try running 7:16 miles around a track. Comment below how many laps you get at that pace.
-6:44 & 6:49 100K performances, the second earning him 6th place at the 100K World Championships. Now run on a road or similar surface at 6:30 miles. Comment below how many mile you got at that pace.
-He teaches middle school special education and supports our veterans through Team RW&B.
Women’s UROY "Short Course"- Connie Gardner
-Overall win and new 50M course record at Destin Ultras
-World Indoor Record 100K at Six Days in the Dome
-Wins in Destin, Graveyard 100, Buzzard Day 50K, Mohican 100, Pine Creek 100, Tussey Mountain 50M
-She was 50 years old for all of those; a great Mom/sister, works and volunteers her ass off.
Women’s UROY Long Course- Traci Falbo
-242 miles in 48hrs, Six Days in the Dome. Indoor World Record, American overall record. *Female Performance of the Year*
-14:45 for 100M at Tunnel Hill. American Trail Record, 4th fastest American female 100M.
-7:42 for 50M, Destin Beach Utlra Runs, Course Record.
-147 miles in 24hrs, Desert Solstice. 4th best distance American female 24hr.
-She is a full time pediatric physical therapist and great Mom- and better be a great wife as much as she abuses her husband/crew chief during races :)
Clearly it is pouring rain outside and I am neglecting some other aspect of my life to write this. But all joking aside, this only highlights the problem of defining who is the best in ultra running. Without a National Championship in each distance that all the best runners in the country attend, 'the most competitive races' that exclude some of the best runners due to a lottery system, a World Championship system that can't seem to put on consistent world championships every year- how will we ever know who is the best?
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