Courtesy: UltraRunning

Scott Jurek, from Seattle, Washington, and Nikki Kimball, from Elizabethtown, New York, have been selected as the 2003 North American ultrarunners of the year by UltraRunning Magazine. Both are first-time recipients of the award, now in its 23rd year.

Jurek captured the Western States 100 Mile for a fifth consecutive year, in his fastest time ever, 16:01:18. Given the difficult hot weather conditions, many consider Jurek's run the best men's performance in race history. In addition, Jurek won the tough Miwok 100 Km and was the top finisher in the Montrail Cup, a series of ultras from around the country. He placed in among the top five in both the 50-km and 50-mile U.S. trail championships.

Kimball excelled at a variety of distances and venues. On the roads, she was the top U.S. women's finisher in the IAU World 100 Km Challenge in Taiwan, finishing eighth overall among the women. On the trails, Kimball won the U.S. 50-mile championship at the White River 50 Mile, turning back the top trail runners in the country. In addition, Kimball captured the American River 50 Mile in 6:32:01, one of the top women's times in race history.

In the performance of the year category, Jurek's Western States 100 Mile performance was voted tops among the men, while on the women's side, Arizona's Pam Reed was the top vote getter for her overall victory at the Badwater 135 Mile, the second consecutive year she was so honored for that achievement.

A board of 15 voters from all regions of North America submitted ballots this year. Complete voting results will appear in the March, 2004 issue of UltraRunning and on the UltraRunning web page, www.ultrarunning.com.

2002 UltraRunning North American Runner of the Year Voting

(first place votes in parentheses)
 
Men

Scott Jurek, 29, WA            (2)      131

Joe Kulak, 35, CO              (5)      127

Dave Mackey, 33, CO            (4)      119

Jorge Pacheco, 36, CA          (1)       98

John Geesler, 44, NY           (3)       94

Karl Meltzer, 35, UT                     73

Joseph Gaebler, 26, CO                   56

Hal Koerner, 27, CO                      47

Scott Eppleman, 37, TX                   27

Dean Karnazes, 41, CA                    20
                                                                 
   
Men's Performance of the Year

Scott Jurek, CA, Western States 100 Mile, 16:01:16       (5)  49

Joseph Gaebler, CO, San Diego 24 Hour, 162.2 Miles       (4)  45

John Geesler, NY, Across the Years 48 Hour, 248.55 Miles (2)  37

Ted Kaizer, WA, Barkley 100 Mile, 56:57:52               (4)  24

Dave Mackey, CO, JFK 50 Mile, 5:55:30                         14
 
Women

Nikki Kimball, 32, NY                                    (7) 144

Pam Reed, 42, AZ                                         (3) 122

Ellen McCurtin, 36, CT                                   (2) 101

Connie Gardner, 40, OH                                   (1)  93

Jenny Capel, 30, NV                                           75

Bethany Hunter, 24, VA                                        60

Ann Trason, 42, CA                                            48

Betsy Nye, 38, CA                                        (2)  46

Anne Riddle, 37, NC                                           41

Ann Heaslett, 39, WI                                          37
 
Women's Performance of the Year

Pam Reed, AZ, Badwater 135 Mile, 28:26:52                (10) 54

Nikki Kimball, NY, White River 50 Mile, 7:46:33          (1)  29

Pam Reed, AZ, San Diego 24 Hour 138.96 Miles             (2)  28

Ann Trason, CA, Western States 100 Mile, 18:36:03        (1)  23

Ellen McCurtin, CT, London to Brighton 54 Mile, 7:02:27       13

Men's Age Group Performance of the Year

Ray Piva, 77, CA San Diego 24 Hour, 109.38 Miles         (9)  30

Phil Shaw, 17, WA. Cascade Crest 100 Mile, 22:58         (1)  12

Grant Holdaway, 72, UT, Wasatch 100 Mile, 35:58:07       (1)   9
            
Women's Age Group Performance of the Year

Myra Rhodes, 70, CA, Jed Smith 50 Km, 4:48:23            (7)  28

Debbie Miller, 51, TX, Arkansas 100 Mile, 21:30:01       (3)  19

Nancy March, 56, CA, Western States 100 Mile, 24:46:52   (1)  11