Joe McConaughy and His Quest for a Western States 100 Golden Ticket
After seven previous attempts at securing a Western States 100 Golden Ticket, Joe McConaughy finally did so at the 2025 Black Canyon 100k.
Andy Jones-Wilkins
Title: AJW’s Taproom Columnist
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Social Media Links
Expertise
- Topics of Expertise: Trail running, ultrarunning, run coaching
- Amount of Expertise: 22 years trail running, 30 years ultrarunning, and 12 years coaching running, along with more than 500 articles published in the AJW’s Taproom column.
Education & Certifications
- Education: Bachelor of Arts, American Studies, Hamilton College; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Villanova University
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Years of Professional Experience Relevant to iRunFar: 11 years writing AJW’s Taproom
- Club Memberships: Aravaipa Running, Virginia Happy Trails Running Club, Charlottesville Area Trail Runners Club
- Other Relevant Positions, Current or Past: Senior-level coach with CTS, frequent contributor to Trail Runner Nation Podcast, Koopcast, and the Adventure Jogger podcast.
A Word from Andy Jones-Wilkins
I aim to inspire and motivate others about and through trail running and ultrarunning by providing thoughtful and provocative columns. My personal interests include trail running, ultrarunning, gravel cycling, and pizza making.
Long Live the Local Run Specialty Store
AJW celebrates local specialty running stores, and his own latest career development.
One Voter’s Analysis of the North American Ultrarunner of the Year Awards
AJW looks at the panel’s selections for the “UltraRunning Magazine” North American Ultrarunner of the Year awards, and compares them to his own ballot.
Legendary Aid Stations: Kroger’s Canteen
The first in a new series honoring legendary aid stations looks at Kroger’s Canteen, on the Hardrock 100 course in Colorado.
Running and Aging: Setting Ambitious and Realistic Goals
AJW outlines his goal-setting processes for 2025.
AJW’s Predictions for 2025 in Trail Running and Ultrarunning
AJW offers his predictions for 2025 in trail running and ultrarunning.
AJW’s Taproom 2024 Year in Ultrarunning Awards
AJW’s picks for various 2024 end-of-year awards for ultrarunners.
Introducing the Legendary Aid Stations Series
Introducing AJW’s new series for 2025, celebrating revered aid stations.
Running and Aging: Expectations and Recovery
AJW discusses the challenges of recovery as an aging runner.
Under the Radar Races: Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal
A profile of Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal in Andalusia, Spain.
Is David Roche Having His Geoff Roes Moment?
AJW draws a comparison between David Roche’s current winning streak and Geoff Roes’s epic year from 2009 to 2010.
Who Says You Can’t Go Home: Running the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile
AJW recounts his return to the 100-mile distance at the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile.
Running and Aging: Henry Bickerstaff at 70 Years Young
AJW celebrates the success of a coaching client, who is still training and racing successfully into his eighth decade.
Under the Radar Races: Stone Cat Trail Races
A profile of the Stone Cat Trail Races in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Javelina 100 Mile Training Camp: An Experiment of One
AJW recaps on his recent three-day training camp in preparation for the upcoming Javelina 100 Mile.
Running and Falling: A Cautionary Tale
AJW writes about a recent fall he suffered during a trail race.
Under the Radar Races: Laugavegur Ultramarathon
A profile of the Laugavegur Ultramarathon in the Icelandic highlands.
Running and Aging: Setting a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)
AJW writes about the intrinsic value of setting a big, potentially hard-to-reach goal.
An Extraordinary 14 Months for North American 100 Mile Races
AJW shares his top three men’s and women’s 100-mile performances of all time, three of which have been run in the last 14 months.
Under the Radar Races: Sörmlands 100 Trail Festival
AJW profiles the the Sörmlands 100 Trail Festival, a unique event in the southeast of Sweden.
Surviving the Dog Days of Summer
AJW offers tips to stay motivated and on track with your training during the hot summer months.
Running and Aging: The Art of Walking
AJW considers the benefits of adding walking into regular training for running longevity and ultrarunning efficiency.
Under the Radar Races: Resurrection Pass Ultra Races
AJW takes a look at the Resurrection Pass Ultra Races in Alaska, an event filled with the low-key vibe of old-school ultras.
Hardrock 100, Which Direction is Harder?
AJW chimes in on the debate about which direction of Hardrock is harder and why.
The Western States 100 and Hardrock 100: A Metaphorical Comparison
AJW compares and contrasts two of North America’s iconic 100-mile races.
AJW’s Top Five Memories of the Past Decade at the Western States 100
AJW recounts his five favorite memories from the past decade of the Western States 100.
