Voting Page for the 2016 VHTRC Awards
This page provides all the information you need to know to participate in the VHTRC Awards voting process for the 2016 awards. As is typical of VHTRC elections, you can vote as often as you want before voting closes – but only your last vote will count. Voting closes on January 23.
These nominations came from your fellow VHTRC members during a nomination period in January. The nominations committee reviewed these submissions to confirm accuracy of the information included in the nominations and check whether the nominee meets the various requirements associated with the award in question.
Before you cast your vote, we would recommend that you re-familiarize yourself with the criteria for each of the awards and also review the list of prior award winners.
Awards will be presented at our annual Awards party, scheduled for February 4. More information on the party | RSVP.
To vote
Use the button at the top right of this page under Award Vote Start. If there is no button there, you are probably not logged in or you are not a member of the club.
VHTRC 2016 Award nominations
The justifications for all awards are included here.
General comments: While organized events are obvious tests of ability and count heavily, any run may be considered. Awards are for achievements for the period Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016.
Nominees are listed within categories in alphabetical order. Those nominated for performance awards are only permitted to be on the ballot in one awards category even if they were nominated across multiple categories; decisions on which category would be included on the final ballot were made by the nominations committee.
As you review the nominations, we hope you are struck by the breadth of the achievements of our club members in 2016.
Performance Awards
Furbutt Award
The Furbutt Award is a performance award that recognizes participation in club events as a runner and a volunteer. This award recognizes two runners – one male and one female member of the VHTRC who showed up at just about every club run and participated by running in a determined manner, to the very best of his or her ability. This person tries really hard. But whereas the recipients would run most of our club events, (and would finish the events they entered, including MMT or BRR), he or she would not run all club events. He or she would occasionally volunteer. This is the award for the person who is really engaged in the VHTRC and supports the club by running well and volunteering in all our runs and events.
Women
Jamie Greenawalt
Allison Holko
Men
Paul Crickard
Paul Encarnacion
Josh Howe
Larry Huffman
Tom Simonds
Runner of the Year
Recognizes two runners — one male and one female member of the VHTRC — who have demonstrated consistently outstanding performances in trail runs during the past year. Nominees for this award may be considered not only for their speed but also for their versatility and consistency as well as their support and representation of the club while performing at this high level over the year.
Women
Megan Alvarado
Megan finished first female in five out of six ultra finishes, and first overall in three. Top performances include two Pistol Ultra finishes in 2016 – 15:47 in January and 16:05 in December and over 121 miles at the Sole Challenge 24 Challenge in May.
Kathleen Cusick
Kathleen is a serial racer who consistently moves quickly down the trail for many top finishes. Results include: MMT 100 (23:30, 1st woman); Vermont 100 (21:14, 6th woman); Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK (7:34, 5th overall); Hellgate 100k (14:08, 3rd woman).
Sara Davidson
In 2016 Sara successfully attempted new distances and consistently improved her times. Results include: TJ 100k (14:15, 4th woman); Bighorn 50 miler (12:41, 16th woman); Bigfoot 200 (99:29, 8th woman); Pinhoti 100 (24:45, 4th woman).
Suzie Spangler
Suzie demonstrated prowess across a number of distances in 2016. Results include: Black Canyon Ultras 100k (11:51); Bull Run Run 50 (9:55); Hyner Trail Challenge 50k (6:44); Worlds Ends Ultramarathon 100k (17:41); Laurel Highlands 50k (6:46); Eastern States 100 (33:57); Devil Dog Ultra 100 (29:51); 2nd Female in Pennsylvania Triple Crown of Mountain Running.
Robin Watkins
Robin had six ultra finishes in 2016 with three 1st place finishes, one 2nd place and one 3rd place finish. Results include: Laurel Highlands 70.5 Miler (13:23, 1st woman); Highlands Sky 40 (7:07, 1st woman); Rosaryville Summer 50k (5:03, 2nd woman); Cascade Crest 100 (23:47, 3rd woman).
Men
John Andersen
John ran his first 100 at Bighorn and finished 6th male, and finished in the top 10 of every other ultra he raced, all at a variety of distances and terrain. Results include: Terrapin Mountain 50k (4:46, 4th overall); Bull Run Run 50 (7:24, 7th overall); Promise Land 50k (5:14, 7th overall); Bighorn 100 (21:59, 7th overall); Grindstone 100 (22:06, 6th overall); Hellgate 100k (12:35, 8th place)
Jack Kurisky
Jack had another consistent year of running in 2016, across various distances and terrain. Results include: Virginia Beach Distance Paces 100k (9:22, 3rd overall); The Reverse Ring (19:38, 6th overall); Elizabeth’s Furnace 50k (5:27, 2nd overall); Bull Run Run 50 mile (7:53, 13th overall); MMT 100 (28:50); OSS/CIA 50 miler (11:26, 6th overall); Angeles Crest 100 (30:15); Patapsco Valley 50k (4:49, 11th overall); Mountain Masochist 50 (9:02); Hellgate 100k (13:60).
Danny Mowers
Danny notched top-ten finishes at the Eastern States 100 and Oil Creek 100k. Other results include: The Reverse Ring (18:01, 4th overall); Bull Run Run 50 (8:49); Hyner Trail Challenge 50k (5:28, 15th overall); Ironmaster Challenge 50k (5:53, 9th overall); Eastern States 100 (27:25, 8th overall); Oil Creek 100k (10:58, 2nd overall); Hellgate 100k (12:57, 11th overall); 5th Male in Pennsylvania Triple Crown of Mountain Running.
Adam Watkins
Adam dominated across terrain and distances from fast/shorter races to technical ultras. Results include: Holy Cowan’s Gap 50k (5:22, 1st place, new CR); Laurel Highlands 70 (12:15, 1st place); Catherine’s Fat Ass 50k (4:40, 1st place); Grindstone 100 (19:39, 1st place [and an 8:26 PR!])
Most improved
Recognizes one male and one female member of the VHTRC whose performances in trail running in the past year have significantly improved.
Women
Diane Behm
Bull Run Run 50 (35 minute improvement — 2016 in 11:31; 2015 in 12:06); PB&J 50k (28 minute improvement — 2016 in 7:28; 2015 in 7:56); Devil Dog 100 (28:41, 3rd woman).
Sarah Curtis
Finishing her second 100 mile race, the Devil Dog 100, Sarah set a 4:45 PR.
Jayme Dubinsky
Jayme finished her first 100 at MMT in May, followed by the Ring in September.
Lauren Gabler
HAT 50k (5:42, 15th woman); Bull Run Run 50 (10:02, 7th woman); Mountain Masochist 50 (10:42, 19th woman, first 50 miler); Devil Dog 100 (28:21, 2nd woman, first 100 miler)
Sirisha (Iris) Golla
Iris began running with the VHTRC at the Women’s Half Marathon in September 2014. Since then, she’s steadily built up her race distance, starting with 50ks and then finishing Bull Run Run in each of the past two years. In 2016, she completed the TJ 100k (in 17:33) and the Devil Dog 100k (in 19:28) in addition to two 50-milers and a handful of 50k events.
Men
Dan Aghdam
Elizabeth’s Furnace 50k (25 minute improvement — 2016 in 7:42; 2015 in 8:07); Bull Run Run 50 (8 minute improvement — 2016 in 10:40; 2015 in 10:48)
Trevor Baine
Highland Sky 40 miler (6:35, 2nd overall); Fat Dog 120 13th overall (33:57, 10th overall); The Big Schloss (6:21, 1st overall)
Ed Walsh
Oil Creek 100 (31:42, DNF in 2015)
Rookie of the Year
Recognizes the male or female member of the VHTRC who, in his or her first year of trail running has demonstrated mental toughness and persistence as well as ability.
Marwa Elsayed
ICY–8 8 hr (12.7 miles, 89th overall); The North Face Endurance Challenge, Washington DC 50k (7:59, 308 overall); The North Face Endurance Challenge San Francisco 50k (7:51, 367 overall)
Daniel Fogg
Elizabeth Furnace 50k (5:33, 3rd place); Bull Run Run 50 (7:17, 4th place); Laurel Highlands 70 (12:32, 2nd place); Maryland Heat Trail Race (4:48, 2nd place); Mountain Masochist 50 (8:25, 14th place) MGM 50k (4:18, 1st place)
Brett Martin
Hashawha Hills 50k (5:44, 21st overall); Terrapin Mountain 50K (6:12, 56th overall); Bull Run Run 50 (10:03, 77th overall); Rosaryville Summer 50k (6:14, 21st overall); The Big Schloss (7:33, 10th overall); Rosaryville Veterans Day 50k (5:36, 41st overall); Devil Dog 100 (1st 100, 28:37, 20th overall)
Patrick Vaughan
Holiday Lake 50k (4:49, 47th overall); Hashawha Hills 50k (5:11, 13th overall); Bel Monte 50k (6:00, 2nd overall); Terrapin Mountain 50k (5:57, 42nd overall); Bull Run Run 50 (8:53, 28th overall); Promise Land 50k (6:08, 56th overall); Highlands Sky 40 (7:58, 16th overall); Whiteface Sky Races (4:14, 45th overall); Whiteface Sky Races vertical k (56:47, 39th overall); Escarpment Trail Run (4:27, 105th overall); The Ring (19:21, 8th overall); Grindstone 100 (26:52, 43rd overall); Mountain Masochist 50 (10:11, 72nd overall); Rosaryville 50k (4:45, 16th overall); Hellgate 100k (14:57, 45th overall)
Performance of the Year
Recognizes one male and one female member of the VHTRC for the most outstanding performance of the year in a trail run. “Outstanding” is considered in terms of course difficulty and weather conditions as well as the age, gender, and ability of the runner. In other words, this is a relative, not an absolute, test.
Women
Michele Harmon
Back in the saddle to take top female at Old Dominion 100 in 23:24.
Katie Keier
Conceived and executed a rugged 203 mile run on the Wild Oak Trail. Seven loops, each 29 miles long with 7000 feet of ascent.
Bethany Patterson
Top-ten finish at Western States 100 (20:40, 7th female)
Sarah Smith
Finishing MMT a year after nearly losing her toes to frostbite.
Lara Zoeller
Second place overall (first woman) at the Icarus Florida Ultrafest 72 hour run with 213 miles.
Men
Doug Campbell
After three years and three attempts at 100 miles, Doug got his buckle by finishing Grindstone 100 just minutes under the cutoff in very difficult, miserable conditions.
Tom Green
Ultrarunning legend Tom Green is back, running 124 miles at A Race for the Ages.
Brad Hinton
Brad won the Yeti 100 Mile Endurance Run in 14:43, posting the sixth fastest 100-mile time in the US for 2016.
Other awards
Ambassador
Given to the VHTRC Ambassador of the Year. You figure out the criteria.
Rick Amernick
Rick leads the DC Capital Striders running group and is an avid supporter of the VHTRC. He is the co-leader of the Wednesday night runs in Great Falls National Park and was aid station captain of the Visitor’s Center aid station at MMT last year.
Toni Aurilio
Toni is a former BRR RD, frequent volunteer at aid stations, and in 2016 established the Devil Dog Ultras 100k and 100 mile races in Prince William Forest.
Paul Crickard
Paul is a gentleman of the trails, volunteering at various events and helping fellow runners in need behind the scenes. Most weekends Paul can be found out on the trails of Maryland, keeping other VHTRC members company and making sure they get their training mileage and providing transportation as needed. Paul also quietly helps other VHTRC members suffering illness or injury by providing meals and helping with household chores. When not volunteering, Paul is an active participant in various club events including Hashawha Hills 50k, Elizabeth’s Furnace 50k, and Bull Run Run 50.
Bob Gaylord
Bob Gaylord’s infectious enthusiasm for trail running is responsible for introducing countless new faces to our sport and the VHTRC. Bob is a former Bull Run Run RD and, when not racing, frequently volunteers at VHTRC and other races.
Mike Hart
Mike is an active recruiter of runners around the Front Royal area to run, volunteer, and support. He has participated in many club events this past year as both a runner and volunteer.
Katie Keier
An enthusiastic runner, teacher, friend, and club member, Katie truly enjoys trail running and is an outstanding representative of the trail running community.
Gary Knipling
A gregarious personality, Gary makes everyone feel welcome — whether on the trail, clearing down trees, or at a post-run tailgate.
Tom Simonds
Tom puts a tremendous amount of time and effort into the club, volunteering over the last several years for both fat ass and official club runs. Tom is the aid station captain at Bird Knob, one of the more remote (and chilly) aid stations at MMT.
John Stacy
Over the past year, John has worked with the VHTRC board and groups such as the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and the Forest Service to organize regular trail-work outings for club members. This work is in addition to the regular maintenance he’s responsible for in his personal volunteer duties. John’s group-work outings and his skillful communication with other interested parties helps connect other trail user groups with the VHTRC, raising our profile in the outdoor community. During all his volunteering, John still makes time to run and finished the Leadville 100 in August.
Photo of the Year
Geoff Baker
Gary Knipling finishing Patapsco 50k.
John Nelson
In the ER.
Josh Howe
Old Rag.
Nick Combs
Colorado.
Paul Encarnacion
Jeff Fiolek climbing Maryland Heights.
Quatro Hubbard
Group at Vicki’s Death March.
Toni Aurilio
Eryn Jaiya Brown finishing Devil Dog 100.