When Bryon and I first dreamt up this column we thought it would be fun to provide a forum for ultramarathon running that was the equivalent of those three-hour pre-game shows we see on TV during football season. We thought it would be fun to give something to the folks out there who really like to geek out on ultrarunning and love to over analyze even the most miniscule details about running, others, and life. Kind of a Bob Costas, George Sheehan, Mike Wallace forum all rolled into one trail running bundle.
Thus, AJW’s Taproom was born!
I also would like to think that the columns here in the Taproom contain a reasonable amount of somewhat intelligent discourse to entertain even the casual reader and I hope that the topics we cover are at least as stimulating as a trip to the local pub.
Therefore, in that context, I endeavor to dream that the readers of this column might take hold of the topics contained herein and bring them along to their local brewpub (or out to the trails) with a few friends for further rumination and dissection. In the best of times, these ideas might inspire. In the worst of times, well, at least they are ideas. And, in the middle? Well, we’re all in the middle, so there.
With all of this as a backdrop I thought it would be a good time to look at the Year in Ultrarunning and simply, without judgement or analysis, throw out some nominees and see where the chips might fall. [Of course, I am making up the categories as I go along and none of this is the opinion of the staff at iRunFar. :-)]
Female Ultrarunner of the Year
- Meghan Arbogast
- Ellie Greenwood
- Kami Semick
- Joelle Vaught
Male Ultrarunner of the Year
- Nick Clark
- Dave Mackey
- Mike Wardian
- Mike Wolfe
Female Race of the Year
- Meghan Arbogast – IAU 100K World Championships
- Diana Finkel – Hardrock 100
- Ellie Greenwood – Western States 100
Male Race of the Year
- Dave Mackey – Miwok 100k
- David Riddle – JFK 50 Mile
- Geoff Roes – Chuckanut 50k
- Ian Sharman – Rocky Raccoon 100
- Michael Wardian – IAU 100k
Female Surprise of the Year
- Rory Bosio
- Regan Petrie
Male Surprise of the Year
- Hal Koerner
- Anton Krupicka
Female Rookie of the Year
- Sandi Nypaver
Male Rookie of the Year
- Tim Olson
- Meghan Arbogast
- Dave Mackey
- Nikki Kimball
- Mike Morton
- Hal Koerner
- Krissy Moehl
- Dakota Jones
- Joelle Vaught
Fathers of the Year (Added 12/12)
- Nick Clark
- Dave Mackey
- Michael Wardian
Mothers of the Year (Added 12/12)
- Darcy Africa
- Meghan Arbogast
- Betsy Nye
Until next week, bottoms up!
AJW
AJW Taproom’s Beer of the Week
AJW’s beer of the week comes from Silverton Brewery. Their Ice Pick Ale is simply extraordinary. Simple, harsh, complex, and unpredictable it is, indeed, like the mountains that surround the brewery. Not available outside of the immediate area, this is a beer that is worth the trip.
Call for Comments (from Bryon)
I trust all of you can figure out what to talk about regarding this taproom! Share your thoughts in one or more of the categories.
