Get to know the top finalists in each category for the 2024 awards. Cast your vote by December 27!
Each year, UltraSignup closes out the year with Keep Trail Running Weird Awards. We consider the awards a ‘podium finish’ for the everyday runner, honoring the beautifully weird and free-spirited culture of the trail running community. Since 2021, we have recognized 5 winners nominated by the community and 5 winners based on crunching the numbers in our database. Read on to learn about this year’s award categories and nominate your friends.
One grand prize winner (selected randomly from anyone that nominates a candidate or votes) will win a $500 Gift Card to Running Warehouse and $500 worth of UltraSignup race credits, thanks to our partnerships with cloudIT and Running Warehouse.
Additionally, all award winners will receive a $100 Running Warehouse Gift Card, $50 worth of UltraSignup race credits, and UltraSignup swag.
“Jason is always dress to impress! And not in a cutesy way but bold, daring and festive. He inspires all around him with his cheerful attire.”
“For Jade’s 40th birthday she made a wish. She wished that all her favorite running friends would run a trail race and all dress up like Waldo from the storybook ‘Where’s Waldo.’ She inspired so many that she (we) were by far the best dressed in race history! (The real question became where’s the real Waldo?!?) in the pic below she’s front and center with the black ball cap on.”
“Tony wears a crop top no matter the season. His latest antic was representing the team Belly Bandits at Shakori 40 relay. It was 19 degrees and he ran in his classic crop top with his dress pants and Umstead 100 buckle (which he earned last April). I was honored to be this character’s pacer. If he’s not in his pickle costume (as Big Dill aka DILLF) or in his ChicknLegs matching singlet-shorts combo, I guarantee that he is rocking the crop top.”
“She’s the most fashionable runner out there on the course, always get compliments from other runners. She even makes outfits for the burly trail runners club mascot too!!!”
“She always shows up with her outfit on point and her manicure matching!”
“Paula is always beautifully dressed with multiple costume changes during an ultra. Her positivity is contagious and she always encourages people when the are struggling. Her smile lights up the room.”
“Dean Dobberteen is the epitome of what it means to be the “Best Pacer.” Supporting me through the grueling Triple Crown of 200s, Dean logged an astounding 304.5 miles on foot, serving not just as a pacer but as a friend, guide, human map, trail navigator, psychologist, first aid kit, stand-up comic, and chef. Along with pacing, he tirelessly drove hundreds of miles across the Cascades, Moab, and Lake Tahoe, ensuring every detail was covered. Dean’s unending support, adaptability, and humor were absolutely essential to our team’s success, culminating in a 3rd place overall finish. He embodies the spirit of ultra-running camaraderie and deserves this recognition. In sum, the guy ran hundreds of miles – and did not receive any buckles, so let’s get him this awesome award.”
“He consistently shows up big for everyone in this community. I have shared miles with him in some of my roughest times. He will always wait until the end until everyone he knows is done running and stay to help the races clean up. He is a gem in this community and embodies what it means to be there for other runners.”
“Scott is kind of a masochist when he runs but when he is your pacer, he channels relief into your soul.”
“As a sixteen-year-old, the best pacer is a father, because your father lives with you and so can be dragged (and drag you) on many long runs. My dad, Mark, proved to be more than an easily accessible pacer this summer when he ran with me during the White River 50 as a ‘pacer’ (not actually a pacer but a running partner who stayed with me). Prior to the race he had even planned out pace cards to stay ahead of the cutoffs (my training had gone terribly over the summer after starting out great, as I was evidently severely anemic but had no idea). Although we were DNF’d at mile 39, the sectioned-off-pace cards he had made were genuinely amazing and well thought out, even taking elevation gain/loss in sections into account for the goal paces of each segment. After we were DNF’d and carted back to the start/finish he even cheerfully slogged with me around the campsite area for the remaining 11 miles per my request. My dad exemplified the fact that a ‘pacer’ isn’t just about pacing you as the name suggests but more about keeping you company and acting as a running buddy.”
“Lisa is the best pacer in both races and daily runs because she is always AMPED and tells me how fun and easy running is while I’m slowly dying a slow and miserable death. She always brings extra candy for me, and only sometimes gets distracted being overly friendly to other runners and leaves me in the dust to wallow in darkness. She always reminds me to take a naked butt pic, even if it means missing a cutoff time. She’s always willing to discuss poop, sex, and what’s for dinner.”
“While I realize this may not qualify as a traditional ‘Trail Run,’ If you’ll bear with me – I’m hoping you will see my case. In November I participated in my 2nd full distance Ironman in Panama City, FL. I still consider myself new to running, only having started 3 years ago, and only picked up triathlon earlier this year. I realized I was in trouble at about mile 30 on the bike but kept telling myself – if I could just get to the run (26.2 miles)… I would be ok. Of the three disciplines – I felt most confident about the run. I was wrong. By the time I hit mile 5 on the run, I was on pace for an 8:30 marathon, and likely would not make the cut off. I had no ‘go’ left. The run course was 6.5 miles out and back – twice. I had come to terms with a DNF and had a whole host of excuses, explanations, and life lessons that would go with it. My plan was to make it back to the turn at mile 13, turn in my chip and break the news to all my friends and family who had come to support me. My 15 year old son appeared out of nowhere somewhere around mile 12. He had been tracking me on the app and knew something was wrong. I think my first comment to him was, ‘You are not supposed to be here, what are you doing here?’ That was the first time he had seen me cry. You see – one of my reasons committing to an Ironman 10 months prior – with no background or experience in any of the disciplines – was for my kids to be able to see firsthand what it takes to achieve big crazy goals and dreams. All the things required… planning, time, sacrifice, commitment, discomfort, early mornings, late nights, long weekends, getting educated, getting out of your comfort zone, budgeting, and pain. He asked if I was ok, to which I replied ‘no, and that I wasn’t going to make it.’ He walked along the side of the course with me in silence. We made the turn where I had planned to turn in my timing chip, and we walked some more. He broke the silence somewhere around mile 13.5 and asked if I thought I could jog to a stop sign (probably 50 yards ahead of us). I told him I didn’t know – but I would try. I owed that to him. This went one for the next 4 or 5 miles. He would pick something visual, and we would shuffle our way to it. While my time had improved from the previous pace of 8:30 there was still no guarantee I would make the cut off. Together we did the math – and came up with a pace that would allow for a little cushion should a stop be needed … I know I know – ‘not supposed to stop moving, one-foot in front of the other.’ There were times we walked, times we shuffled / jogged, times we ‘Power Walked’ with arms swinging wildly, and even a time or two where my sit turned into being laid out on the side of the road. Before I tell you how the day ended, and if I became an Ironman on Nov 2nd, I told you I would make the case for him being best ‘Trail Run Pacer.’
Ironman does not allow a lot of things at their races, pacers is one of those things. Brayden was not allowed on the run course. For more than 14 miles he walked, shuffled, jogged, and ran along the side of the course weaving through spectators, aid stations, flower beds, parking lots, trash cans, intersections, ditches, vehicles, and countless other obstacles. It was filled with as many hazards and uneven terrain as any trail I have ever been on.
I did receive my finishers medal that night, and became an Ironman – but it would not have been without his help. He paced me for more than 14 miles in just a pair of tennis shoes… and never having ran more than 5 miles at one time. No nutrition, or hydration, or performance clothing / gear, or carb loading prior. He did it without being asked, he did it never having done anything like it before, and he did it really really well. While I realize this could be considered out of the traditional criteria for the years best Ultra Trail Pacer – I cant help but feel his story is worth being shared. My single biggest regret of the day is not getting a picture with him post race. Someone was able to capture the attached image of me in medical tent post race. While the image doesn’t have Brayden in it – it’s only because of his effort, determination, and maturity that it was able to be captured. I humbly ask that you consider my son Brayden Burris as this years Best Pacer.”
“Shayna was about to move across the country, and it was her last race in New England, running 32 miles at the TARC Winter Classic, trails she’d run many times with her trail crew on weekly group runs. It was her last chance to see everyone just a few days before the move, and she’d put in the weeks of training, but then, as Shayna recounted in her Strava post: ‘Got the worst nose bleed of my life (trigger warning on the pic). I had to walk a half mile to the aid station holding dead leaves to my nose try to stop the gushing but to no avail. Took forever for it to stop even once I was sitting down. And then proceeded to roll my injured ankle twice once I got started again, which is when I decided I’d just stop after one lap because it’s just not worth it when we are about to be traveling. BUT of course I ran a half mile past the finish and had to double back.'”
“Erica’s fail was one that started at one race and ended at another. She was running the night marathon at Paris Pair in September and in the heat, was having stomach issues. Seeing the headlights ahead from other runners, she ran off the trail and having no supplies, found a nice soft leaf to take care of business. Of course, that was poison ivy…
This poison ivy was still oozing and painful when she attempted Arkansas Traveler, leading to her first DNF.”
“During the Cottonwood Countdown: Nelson Backyard Ultra, in Nelson, BC, in October 2024, Jack was looking strong. Around loop 4, he needed a bathroom break before the next lap, so off to the outhouse. His phone was tucked in the back of his shorts, and unfortunately fell out, and down the hole. He tried to retrieve it without luck. He then returned to the race and did the next 6.7km loop – running quicker than he intended to get extra time to try to fish the phone out. No luck on his next attempt – and the outhouse was still in use, so there were extra ‘deposits’ now on top of the phone. One more fast lap, and then back again with a homemade stick and ‘net’, and he managed to get his phone back. He was back in time for the next bell, and continued racing until he retired at hour 24 (100M / 160 km) as he wanted to save some legs for an upcoming running holiday in Utah. Despite the shitty situation, Jack was looking like one of the strongest competitors, and was a big threat to win if he had chosen to continue. And the phone somehow survived.”
“At mile 14 of the Pinhoti 100 this year, the narrow trail gave way, sending her down the mountain and breaking two bones in her leg. They had to carry her off the mountain in a bag (pic enclosed). She had no ID or credit card so her crew had to help her get treatment and meds. Then she spent the next 24 hours on crutches but crewing 4 others in the race instead of resting.”
“Sam signed up for his first race ever as a new runner earlier this year, but not just any race. He decided to go BIG with the Machete Madness 50 miler, which gains an impressive 11,500 feet in elevation total and is mostly run at night. He was pacing better than anticipated, but his race was derailed. While nearing the 40 mile mark, he took a nasty fall injuring his ankle pretty badly. He had to slide down the mountain and limp nearly 3 miles to officially tap out at mile 43. Though he fell short of 50 miles, Sam is well-deserving of the ‘Best Race Day Fail’ for his smashing, 43-mile debut on such an extreme course.”
“Audrey loves trail running with her whole heart and has inspired a group of friends to join her for destination races. She’s cultivated a passion for pushing her limits all while maintaining a smile on her face. She continuously inspires me to challenge myself via her crazy accomplishments. Who completes 3 trail races in 3 days?! Audrey, that’s who. She’s a trail weirdo, but she’s our trail weirdo.”
“Audrey deserves this award because she is so spunky, positive, and passionate about running. She will put herself through what appears to be absolute hell just for fun. It’s weird and I support it.”
“Audrey deserves the award because she lives breathes and eats trail running and it’s only getting weirder. I’ve been running with her since college. We’ve known each other now for almost 13 years. We both started running in the same running program in middle school where she started doing marathons in middle school. I’ve only seen her grow and flourish and love on running harder since then. She’s an incredible, bad@$$, inspiration, and trail running weirdo for sure.”
“Ned is the epitome of a trail weirdo. Anytime he’s on a trail, but especially when he’s running on one, he will make friends with anybody. He can talk about anything, trail related, running related, anything. He also, and this is the really weird part, always has a smile on his face when he’s running. Even if it’s mile 22 or 42 and he is dog tired and his shoe just broke, and there was a bear sighting. He genuinely cares about acknowledging how hard it is to be out there on the trail and the fact that if you’re out there, even if you are on the struggle bus, you are winning.”
“I’m nominating Ned for Favorite Trail Weirdo because he’s the biggest and loveliest weirdo I know and the only trail running weirdo I know. He’s run more ultras than I can count, yet somehow still finds time to be a shuffleboard pro, a music snob with impeccable taste, and a foodie who would hate being called a foodie but can always find the spot in town. Equal parts snarky and brilliant, Ned embodies the kind of quirky grit that makes the trail running community so wonderfully weird.”
“Ned is a true trail running weirdo in the best sense of the word. His commentaries and videos about events are always full of humorous, touching and inspirational stories that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from such events. His videos from an event at the Mohonk Mountain House had me laughing and crying throughout. His passion and quirky takes make him the perfect candidate for this award!”
“Injury prone? – Incredibly
Forgets shoes and runs a race on pavement barefoot? – Yes (also see above)
Brings the MOST stoke and positivity to every/any event and activity he does – Absolutely and always
Regularly gets lost during group events and ends up hanging out on strangers’ porches – ✅
There aren’t enough superlatives to accurately describe Dwight. It is almost guaranteed that you will end up with once in a lifetime memories if you happen to be anywhere near him. He is as close to a human cartoon character (in the best way) that I have ever witnessed, and this world is richer for it.”
“Kris regularly dresses as Santa Claus and runs trails, roads, and races in all weather and during all times of year (I’m not kidding: blizzards, heat waves, everything). Everyone around here knows him and loves the fun and weirdness he brings to our small trail running community. He is also just a SUPER nice guy and he deserves to be recognized for his particular breed of support and insanity.”
“Justin is a trail weirdo but one that keeps people laughing and wanting to check out trails and ultras. He creates relatable and funny content that helps ultras be more accessible. With his bright colors and bright personality he is definitely someone who stands out on the trails.”
“Meg is the coolest trail runner out there! She completed so many cool races in 2024 and even set a female world record for a backyard ultra she did (with 87 laps or 362.5 miles). She’s been really inspirational to cheer for as an UltraSignup ambassador. She’s a teacher like me so it’s been cool to watch her achieve so much in one of the toughest professions.
“Danny is the spirit animal and one of the founders of the Great Run series (Great Norse Run, Great Silk Run and Great Patagonian Run). He has made it his life’s mission to inspire people to achieve things they didn’t think we’re possible through running. His light and vitality has brought people from all over the world to explore and experience beautiful and challenging running expeditions (often called un-races, as the goal is for everyone to finish as a team). He’s a beautiful soul and deserves recognition for his hard work inspiring others.”
“Danny makes ultra running the most fun, inspirational and inclusive it could possibly be. He brings together groups of strangers of truly mixed abilities to achieve more than they ever thought possible by undertaking multi-day traverses of Entire Countries. He makes everyone feel a million bucks and he really cares; his trips are well prepped, well run, and he also offers ongoing care and relationship on return. What an all-round inspiration!!”
“The most motivating man to help you run 209 miles across Iceland. He dealt with mine and the teams ups and downs, knowing exactly what needed to be said, if you just needed a hug or a laugh or a bit of encouragement and really kept spirits up in the snow, wind and rain whilst running through desert and lava fields. He was one EPIC motivation for me to keep going and made me determined to finsh on my feet in the south of Iceland! Thank you Danny!”
“She sets high goals with step by step activities to help her reach the higher goal. She is steadfast in her approach to achieve her objectives and is a wonderful person with a heart of gold. She inspires everyone around her even without realizing it. She totally deserves this award!”
“Leah is mid 40s, mom of 4, a faithful volunteer in both her church and community, a business owner, and she still finds time to travel and run! She is always training, always competing, always running simply because she loves LIFE and loves to move!”
“No matter the obstacles, Leah continues to push herself which is inspiring to others!”
“She’s been the best inspiration for numerous people around our community and various other places where she’s raced. She shows ours kids daily that women can do everything men can do by strengthening your body and mind to do so. People of all ages have reached out to her regarding the completion of the Moab 240 on her first try and stated that they’ve started moving more than they used to. She is truly amazing and I’m extremely proud of her.”
“Leah never lets anything deter her from chasing her goals. Seeing her grit, determination, and cheerful spirit in the midst of not only ultra races, but daily life is the emotions of inspirational.”
“Tara Warren is a very inspirational runner who completed the Rocky Mountain Slam this year which consisted of four 100 milers. Throughout this challenge, she raised over $15,000 for the ALS association in honor of her mom. (ALS is a disease that killed her mom.)”
“Through her race company, The Active Joe, Libby is making trail running fun, inclusive, and welcoming for EVERYONE. Fast or slow, all body types, newbies, old-timers, people of color, binary or nonbinary, people who feel alone, people who want to bring the whole crew, people with families, people dealing with the unpredictability of trying to start a family… there is a place for EVERYONE at her events. Her race policies are open, transparent, flexible, and fair. She knows that representation matters so she actively reaches out to populations that are not typically seen or welcomed at trail races. Through hard work over the course of a few years, she got one of her events, Dinosaur Valley, certified as a Western States qualifier (in addition to her sponsoring Western States for many years), bringing her unique brand of positivity and inclusion to a high visibility qualifying event for that prestigious race. I personally worked with Libby on developing some race policies to ensure that older runners felt safe and welcomed at her events. I know that these issues are personally important to her, and she walks the walk and talks the talk through her race company as well as in her day-to-day life. She is an inspiration and I’d love to see her (and the values she promotes) recognized with this award.”
“I can think of no better nominee for most inspirational than The Active Joe RD, Libby Hallas Jones! Her efforts for inclusivity in trail running have inspired countless underserved runners to take the leap into trails and ultra distances. She has committed herself to charitable fundraising and contributes an unthinkable amount of time and money to causes near and dear to the running community. So excited to nominate Libby for all the work she has done for us!!”
“Libby has brought visibility and accessibility for sometimes marginalized groups in trail running. For years, trail running has been dominated by male entrants. Libby has driven up female, LQBTQ and binary entrants at her races. She has brought a Western States qualifier to North Texas! I have known Libby for over a decade and she only continues to add to our trail running community in Texas!”
