The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) executive committee (13 members) of long distance running recently selected the 2023 USATF Mountain, Ultra and Trail Runners of the Year. During the Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council session at this year’s USATF Annual Meeting the recipients were announced and are listed below.
Selection Criteria for MUT Runners of the Year
Athlete MUST have a current (2023) USATF membership.
The nomination window includes the period: January 1, 2023 – November 19, 2023.
Athletes must show top results in USA mountain/ultra/trail competitions for 2023 (January 1, 2023 through November 19, 2023).
USATF Mountain Runners of the Year Result Qualification: Mountain Races may be on paved/gravel or trail surfaces as long as there is significant elevation loss or gain.
USATF Trail Runners of the Year Result Qualification: Trail races of varying length (sub-ultra and ultra distances) will be considered.
USATF Ultra Runners of the Year Result Qualification: Ultras on all surfaces (paved, track, trail) will be considered. Track and Road races must be on certified race courses.
Athlete has top results in international competitions for 2023.
Athlete could win in more than one category.
Athlete is an ambassador for the sport – promoting and supporting MUT running.
To be considered for the masters category, athletes must be a minimum of 40 years of age.
USATF MUT Award Winners
Female Mountain Runner of the Year: Grayson Murphy
Lyndon Ellefson Memorial Male Mountain Runner of the Year: Joseph Gray
Female Masters Mountain Runner of the Year: Kasie Enman
Male Masters Mountain Runner of the Year: Max King
Female Trail Runner of the Year: Sophia Laukli
Male Trail Runner of the Year: Jim Walmsley
Masters Female Trail Runner of the Year: Alicia Vargo
Masters Male Trail Runner of the Year: Max King
Ruth Anderson Memorial Female Ultra Runner of the Year: Camille Herron
Ted Corbitt Memorial Male Ultra Runner of the Year: Jim Walmsley
Female Masters Ultra Runner of the Year: Camille Herron
Male Masters Ultra Runner of the Year: Bob Hearn
Editor’s Note: Find the list of 2022 USATF MUT Runners of the Year here. Find the list of 2021 USATF MUT Runners of the Year here.