December 1, 2004

USA Track & Field Names 2005 Ultrarunners of the Year

For performances in a variety of venues from rugged trails to road events in the US and overseas, USA Track & Field's Mountain/Ultra/Trail (MUT) Running Council selected the following ultrarunners as the 2004 men's and women's ultrarunners of the year in open and master's categories.

Dave Mackey - (34, Colo.) From setting a course record (7:51:07) at the Zane Grey 50 Mile trail race in April to his first place finish at the Mountain Masochist 50 Mile trail race (6:52:28) in October which was the second fastest time run on that course, Dave Mackey ran an impressive season of ultras including second place finish at the prestigious Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (16:30:17) in June. Mackey also won the 2004 Montrail Ultra Cup highlighting his strength and speed on tough mountain trails. These achievements earned him the 2005 Ted Corbitt Award for men's ultrarunner of the year. 

Nikki Kimball - (33, MT) Kimball racked up an impressive set of ultra wins this year including the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (18:43:25) in California in June, the USATF White River 50 Mile Trail Championship (7:45:21) in Washington in July and Mountain Masochist 50 Mile (7:55:57) in October. Her 2004 season of racing produced a series of top performances to win the 2004 Montrail Ultra Cup. Kimball also raced at the World Cup 100K in September in Holland demonstrating speed on both trail and road venues. For these performances she is named the 2005 USATF women's ultrarunner of the year and receives the Ruth Anderson Award. 

Ann Heaslett - (40, Wisc.) Heaslett's overall wins at the HUFF 50K (4:15:48) in December 2003 and Ice Age 50 Mile (7:30:00) in May along with two sub-8:40 100K performances in 2004 demonstrate her versatility and talent on a variety of terrains and distances. In 2004 Heaslett began competing as a masters athlete and earned the 2005 USATF women's masters ultrarunner of the year award. In 2002 Heaslett won the USATF Ruth Anderson award for her outstanding accomplishments as an open ultrarunner. 

William Emerson - (40, OR) Emerson ran 23 ultras between November 1, 2003 and October 31, 2004. Being a master didn't stop him from winning 16 events overall and setting 7 course records besides his 16 masters course records. The resilient master, who finished no less than 6th place in any race, has been named USATF men's masters ultrarunner of the year. 

William Emerson's 2004 Runner of the Year Ultra Races 

"Because of the growth of our USATF national championship ultra program over the last 6 years, and ultra series such as the Montrail Cup, there were many very competitive performances to consider this year," says Lorraine Gersitz, MUT Awards Coordinator. "It's very exciting. On the women's side in particular we had the tightest vote ever in both the open and masters categories." 

The USATF ultrarunners of the year are voted for by MUT members from nominees who run exemplary performances at USATF National Ultra Championships, World Cup venues, and other significant races between November 1, 2003 and October 31, 2004 and who are current USATF members. These athletes will be presented awards at the Awards Breakfast of the 2004 USATF Annual Conference in Portland, OR on December 4, 2004. 

The MUT Council that selects USATF ultrarunners and contributor of the year was established in 1998 to assist USATF with the sports of mountain, ultra, and trail running. For information about MUT and the USATF ultrarunner of the year awards, visit www.usatf.org  and click on Mountain/Ulta/Trail.

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Last updated: 09/14/05
Web Author: Lorraine Gersitz