Oh looks, its the 2011 UROY.
UROY is great. But there are so many more categories of awards that the Ultra-Community is sorely lacking. Thus, I present a (more) complete package of 2011 Awards.
Writers Note: I live in Missoula and I want to see Mike Foote and Wolfe win everything...so I freely admit my bias. That being said, enjoy.
UROY
(If you consider quantity of top finishes most important, Wardian wins, but if you want quality, badass runs against the best fields of runners ever assembled, then its an easy choice)
1. Wolfe (Blistering win at Way Too Cool, 2nd at WS and Miwok, and a devestating performance at NF50, his only head-to-head with Wardian)
2. Wardian (ALOT of results, amazing road performances but no major TRAIL wins)
3. Mackey (solid from start to finish...could have won UROY with a win at NF50)
4. Clark (WS/Hardrock Record! a TON of top 3s...love this guy)
“People’s” Choice of 2011
1. Nick Clark- Nick’s new WS/Hardrock double record is SO OUTRAGEOUS. As Dakota said, I think he may have a twin. Then 22 days later, he crushed the hardest 50k ever. And I like that he has an ongoing duel at the Turkey Day 4 miler with the fastest lady in town.
2. Timothy Olson- The only ultra-runner more underated than Wolfe is this guy. Amazing finishes at WTC, Chuckanut, Western States, White River, NF50 and a WIN at Pine to Palm. I think if I lived and trained in Ashland, Tim and I would be friends. Hal could hang out too I guess.
3. Mike Foote- Remember when the greatest American contingent of ultra-runners ever assembled crossed the pond and then laid the largest goose egg in French history? And at the end of the day who did we have to represent the starts and stripes? FOOTE!!! (shout out to Pedetella as well). Now the 3rd Mike on TNF...of Missoula, MT!
Top Blog of 2011
1. Nick Clark- Nobody does a better job posting milage, pics, race reports, etc. Nicks writing is clear, concise and perfectly sarcastic. For an ultra-runner (me) with time to train just 5-10 hrs/week but with time to scour the blogosphere, Clark is the best read. He has a wife, child, drinks beer, works a real job...what could be better?
2. Dakota Jones- Young $ definitely wins “most humorous” blog, but his posting frequency is somewhat poor (1/month). With “Living The Dream” you get quality not quantity. This post got me laughing harder than I ever have after an ultra blog. Love it.
3. Joe Grant- Love Joe’s writing and whimsical, “On the Road” travels. Oh, and his photography is stunning.
4. Geoff Roes- Solid consistency, interesting topics and brief attempt at humor recently.
Thus, considering all three categories...overall winner of 2011 is....Nick Clark!!! (with two firsts and one honorable mention).
Happy running folks...cheers.
ejk
