As we start a new year of running, let’s begin by celebrating our 2021 trail accomplishments.
8.3M
Miles Raced
Together
2.3M
Hours Raced
Together
265K
Participants Racing
Trails Together
While many news headlines remained dim last year, in trail running we were able to make a safe and oh-so-joyful return to running together. From local meet-ups to our favorite races, the overwhelming community sentiment was gratitude to be sharing the trails together, again.
At UltraSignup, we wanted to close the year with a ‘podium finish’ for the everyday runner, honoring the beautifully weird and free-spirited culture of the trail running community. Launching our first annual Keep Trail Running Weird Awards, we recognized 5 winners nominated by the community on social media and 5 winners based on crunching the numbers in our database.
Hundreds of nominations poured in and we were thrilled to recognize this year’s group of amazing winners. From a mom of five who raced 618 hours with an unwavering commitment to positivity to an epic heatstroke bonk at mile 99 of Western States – the Keep Trail Running Weird winners revealed some of the best, previously unknown, ultra running stories of 2021.
Each winner was a featured guest on The Adventure Jogger podcast, split into two highly entertaining and truly inspiring episodes spotlighting our weird and wonderful trail community.
2021 Keep Trail Running Weird Award Winners
Most Fashionable
Justin Stenerson
Creates trail magic with
creative costumes
Most Races AND Hours
Jameelah Abdul-Rahim Mujaahid
26 races and 681:11:18 hours of fun
Biggest Trail Weirdo
Sean Harrasser
A relentlessly unique, whimsical
trail weirdo
Most Miles
Ed Ettinghausen
‘The Jester’ with 2055.01 race miles
Best Pacer
Alex Hill
Pacing wizard at the Moab 240
Most Inspirational
Mirna Valerio
Advocates for inclusion in the
running community
Best Bonk
Joseph Bearss
Heatstroke and an ambulance ride at
mile 99 of WSER
Most Improved
Nicole Lapaglia
A 33.08% improvement in her
runner ranking
Most Tenacious
Mike Melton
On a run streak with a tireless commitment to finishing
MORE NEW YEAR INSPIRATION
Winter is long; stay in a celebratory mood a bit longer with these 2021 round ups:
•
Henry at RunSpirited shares his annual Top 20 Most Inspirational Ultra Runners, including an indefatigable WA woman, Van Phan, who just finished her 400th career ultra.
•
Rekindle that holiday spirit with The Ginger Runner crew cozied in Santa costumes and elf gear while delivering the 2021 GingerMas Awards; everything from Most Vert to a Creativity award. Want more proof that trail runners are weird? Skip right to the gag inducing EggNog chug at 45:30.
•
Get your dose of 2021 elite runner recap coverage on Freetrail as Dylan and Corrine pencil their pics for the top ultra runners of the year, including rookie and key international stars.
Need a mid-winter motivator? Hundreds of new trail races opened for registration this month; find one near you at Ultrasignup.com.
