Four elite-level athletes have received one of the highest honors in the American off-road running and ultrarunning: the Runner of the Year awards from USA Track and Field (USATF).
On November 26, the organization’s Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Running Council named the athletes who would receive the 2022 awards, which recognize runners who demonstrated repeated success throughout the past year.
The organization didn’t release how many many runners received nominations this year, but there was a pool of nearly 40 nominated athletes last year.
USATF’s Running Council included 13 members. Other elite athletes, coaches, administrators, and race directors from a dozen USATF Associations comprised it. The USATF will recognize winners at its Annual Meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on December 1 through 4.
Open Female: Allie McLaughlin
Allie McLaughlin kept busy this year. Residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, McLaughlin landed on the podium in no less than eight running events in 2022, including five wins.
McLaughlin came in first on the World Mountain Running Championships Uphill race and third on the World Mountain Running Championships Up and Down race.
She also set a new course record when she won the Mount Marathon Race.
At the Broken Arrow Skyrace, McLaughlin placed first in vertical k and second in the 23k skyrace. During the Golden Trail World Series Finals, she placed first in Stage 1, second in Stage 3, and first again in Stage 5.
Allie McLaughlin of the USA on her way to taking third at the 2022 World Mountain Running Championships Up and Down race. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Open Male: Adam Peterman
Hailing from Missoula, Montana, Adam Peterman dominated many elite trail running events in 2022. He came in first place in four major competitions, including the Trail World Championships 80k and the Western States 100.
At the Canyons by UTMB 100k and the Chuckanut 50k, Peterman not only placed first but set new course records on both.
USATF also named him Athlete of the Week on November 11.
Adam Peterman hoists the American flag and becomes the 2022 Trail World Championships 80k Champion. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Masters Female: Camille Herron
Camille Herron, presently living in Arizona, stayed extremely busy in 2022 — and went home with plenty of awards to prove it.
She took first place in the Jackpot 100 Mile, which acted as the USATF 100 Mile Road National Championships, logging a time of just 12 hours, 41 minutes, 11 seconds.
Herron clocked plenty of miles at the Centurion Track 100, where she placed 1st in the 100k, and 2nd place in three other events: the 6-hour, 50-mile, and 50k.
The Strolling Jim 40 Mile saw Herron take first place again, and she also made time to place eighth at Western States 100, and sixth at the Comrades Marathon.
She received the USATF Athlete of the Week award on February 18.
Camille Herron runs toward Foresthill at mile 61 of the 2022 Western States 100. She eventually finished eighth. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Masters Male: Max King
Evidently, Max King liked winning this award so much in 2021, he had to do it all over again this year.
The runner from Bend, Oregon, placed first in five events in 2022, including the Mount Marathon Race, where he was also the race’s oldest winner.
Other event wins included the Breakneck Point Trail Marathon, Smith Rock Ascent 15 Mile, Horse Butte 10 Mile, and the Iron Face Challenge at the Broken Arrow Skyrace.
He also placed fourth at the Trail World Championships 40k.
Max King on his way to taking fourth at the 2022 Trail World Championships 40k. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Learn more about the 2022 winners on the American Trail Running Association’s website.
