2025 Keep Trail Running Weird Finalists – Vote Now

“My daughter Marley is 18-years-old. In August of this year she paced the final leg of the Leadville 100 for my wife, Jackie, who was positioned to finish it for the first time (second attempt). Jackie was determined, but hurting when we met her at Mayqueen. She would be a Golden Hour finisher if Marley could guide her to 6th and Harrison. Marley was scared, but focused on her job of helping her mom complete her dream race. I got to watch these two amazing women crest the hill on 6th before the final push to the finish line. Suffice it to say that I had tears in my eyes. I know that final leg was nearly as difficult for Marley as it was for Jackie. And they both did it! Marley went on to run her first half-marathon several weeks later back home on Cape Cod, MA. On the flight home from Denver she whispered to my wife that she may want to run the 100 one day. ❤️”

“Ryan is the best. A seasoned ultrarunner who genuinely lives to lift the community around him. He gives his time and experience so freely—training with you, showing up on race day, and staying ready to party all night long. He brings the wacky conversation and all the fun that makes long miles fly by.”

“weird”

“Jeff Garmire is one of a kind. He brings the weirdo trail spirit while doing incredible things.”

“Terry has been party of our local running community for longer than I’ve been running. I see him at all the local, and some regional events, usually dressed up in something corny, always in a great mood.  When he’s not running he photographs for these local races, and he’s always encouraging you to be silly for the camera (even though you’re ready to die in some cases). He’s a big donut fanatic, and always brings donuts to events, and they’re featured in silly social media posts. I got a card and a casserole from him when I broke my leg last year. We all got holiday cards from him with magnetic pictures of us racing at a popular local Ultra. He just a great example of the cool and nice people you meet out on the trails.”

“Ellie embodies the spirit of trail running: she’s weird, she’s fun, and she’s always focused on having a good time and making friends on the run. Over the last three years she’s cultivated a group called the Worm Girlfriends, a cadre of running enthusiasts who can be spotted trailside waving pink pool noodles dressed in whacky outfits at races. Let me assure you there is no one weirder than the Worm Girlfriends, but we know how to have fun and also know how to bamboozle delirious ultrarunners with our wormie ladies. All of us Worm GFs are a testament to Ellie’s ultrarunner enthusiasm. 🪱”

“I could nominate Amy for just about every award, but opting for Trail Weirdo this go round. She is the embodiment of “Keep Trail Running Weird.” A devoted pacer and crew member – most notably at Cocodona 250 and Bigfoot 200 this year, Amy shows up relentlessly for others. She’s also a badass race director, received the most valuable newcomer award for her Race Marshall role at Keys 100 this year, podcast host, founder of the Trail Sisters South Florida chapter, TEDx speaker alongside Gary Cantrell and Harvey Lewis, behavior analyst and running coach (Banana Champs). As an accomplished ultrarunner herself, her resume includes Cocodona 250, Just Survive 125, and Tahoe 200, among many many others.

But what truly sets Amy apart is how she brings joy to the trail. She shows up in wonderfully weird and wildly inappropriate costumes simply to make people laugh and feel lighter in the hardest, most glorious moments of ultras. You can’t be around Amy without smiling, there is truly no one like her. What she gives to the trail and ultra community is priceless, and she reminds us all that suffering and weirdness can (and should) coexist.”

“He ran 300 mile in a week on his 300th 100-mile week streak. I Think I dont need to write more lmao 😂”

“From the endless high mileage weeks, to the jorts, to sharing what the haters say with a huge smile, Andy is the GOAT of trail weirdos.”

“And he does a lot of weird stuff on the trails, and documents at all for us to see. LOL he memoralizes that laughter and humor or what’s needed when running on the trails or just running. You got to have a good sense of humor and his motto is smile, or you’re doing it wrong.”

“My husband John is my crew caption for all of my ultras. He brings a make multiple inspirational signs and a custom shirt or onesie to wear while he crews me to lift my spirits! He’s always so supportive of not only me but every single runner on the course. We actually started dating because I asked him to crew me for my first 100mi race six years ago and the rear is history! He is by far the best dressed at every trail race!”

“Katie’s personality is enough to bring joy to every race she does, but it’s her dedication to running countless miles dressed head to toe in costumes that leaves people smiling long after seeing her run by. Many of her costumes are homemade weeks in advance to make sure she has them dialed in to run in them for entire trail runs and marathons. In fact, she was the 5th fastest turkey at a very large turkey trot this year, showing that she’s as serious about her running as she is about her costumed fun.”

“Look no further, Best Dressed only starts to describe Paula.  Her elaborate, very detailed (and themed to the race) costumes are some of the most exquisite outfits you can see on the trails.  Her full-face ghost makeup for the GhostTrain ultra was INSANE, and spooky too. But, it’s her bubbly personality and friendliness that are the icing on the cake (did I mention she’s also dressed as a cake before?).  Whatever the distance, road or trail, she’s showing up to the start line with a perfectly themed, intricate designer outfit that stands out…..AND, she makes running in the costumes look EASY.”

“Buck Naked kept it real. He was a friendly trail weirdo who ran with an attitude. He was at all the White Mountain Endurance races this year handing out business cards that said “Don’t Call Me” and spreading his moto to “Work Harder, Not Smarter.” He showed up to races in various versions of crop tops, including my favorite, a crop top work shirt, tie, and dress pants. He was blowing bubbles at the starting lines and would finish the races in ridiculous fashion (jump flipping over the line, reminding people not to call him, etc.) He is a man of the trail people! He embodied what it means to keep trail running weird.”

“I’m nominating Sammy for Best-Dressed because every single time there’s a dress-up day, she shows up and absolutely crushes it. Her costumes are always creative, fun, and instantly the crowd favorite. You can count on her to fully commit, and she makes everyone else feel way more comfortable leaning into the weird, too.

Sammy also organized the Rad Rando Run, a free community event around Halloween, and she poured so much time and heart into it. The whole goal was encouraging people to dress up, be weird, and just have fun together — and it was awesome. That event perfectly sums her up: inclusive, joyful, and all about bringing people together.”

“Samantha has been a living example of mind over matter.  Her running journey has included a weight loss of 270 lbs.  This wasn’t a Couch to 5k – it was from Couch to 100 miles that peaked with the Leadville 100.  During this journey, she has inspired many of those around her that a healthy lifestyle can be fun as shown by all her various run costumes!”

“Stella, age 54, has demonstrated to every tired woman in our 40s or 50s, that with determination we may have decade(s) of joyful competitive racing ahead of us! Stella is always kind and positive, and her performances this year are truly inspiring:

Major trail races:
• Angeles Crest 100: 1st place woman
• San Diego 100: 2nd place woman, top 10 overall

Major road races:
• National Championship 100-mile: 1st place
• World Championship 24hr (Albi France): 2nd scoring member of Team USA, #14 in the WHOLE WORLD!!

The WC24 race in Albi in particularly notable. Stella showed up in France as the team alternate, but she had put in the work and was ready. She found out after 8pm, the night before the race, that she would be promoted to the team. Despite the tremendously stressful uncertainty leading up to the race, she just did what needed to be done: she scrambled together a last-minute team uniform from borrowed items, and she showed up 12 hours later to give it her all. She ran her heart out, set a 4+ mile PR (at age 54!), and lifted Team USA to 4th place in the world. She placed 14th individually, and was the oldest woman in the top 25. She exhibited pure grace & grit, and phenomenal sportsmanship & performance under the toughest of circumstances. I want to be like Stella when I grow up.”

“I’m nominating Hunter Munns because he is the reason so many trail runners exist in Topeka. From first trail runs to first ultramarathons, Hunter has encouraged and supported countless runners every step of the way—including me. He gives generously of his time, leads with joy and determination, and creates an inclusive community where everyone belongs, regardless of pace or experience. Hunter doesn’t just build runners;he builds confidence, friendships, and a love for the trails that continues to inspire us all.”

“I would have never considered trail events if it were not for Hunter. I started running again last year after about a 10 year hiatus. (I started running in my early 40’s) I’m training for my first 50K (early March ‘26) now and hope for a 50 miler in the fall of ‘26. He encourages all levels of runners and is SO welcoming in leading weekly trail runs in our area. He volunteers at events, paces and always volunteers his time and knowledge to help with individuals expanding their race distances. His kindness, enthusiasm to grow interest in growing the trail running community and encouragement is unsurpassed in the Topeka, KS community!”‘

“I’m nominating my friend and training partner for most inspirational! He went from weighing 400+ pounds and playing video games for 15-20 hours per week a few years ago, to losing 150+ pounds and conquering his first half marathon, marathon, 50 miler and is currently training for his first 100 miler in 2026. Along the way as he had gained new confidence and belief through running, he has improved his marriage and grown his local business. He has an infectious positivity in the sport and his content is super motivating. You couldn’t pick a better guy!”

“Josh is a one of a kind athlete. He started the Western Colorado University Trail Running team over a decade ago and has been inspiring athletes ever since. He especially inspired me to get back to a positive relationship with running after being an ex-NCAA track athlete. Before this year I had not ran more than 10 miles but he has encouraged and coached me to running a 30k at the end of the season. He always has a quote from an inspirational book or a dad joke handy in every situation. He celebrates the athletes he coaches no matter where they are in their running journey. Not only does he do this, but also podiums at a lot of races with grace and then shines the spotlight on developing athletes instead of himself. He is the most inspiring person that I know so I hope you consider him for this award.”

“She’s the reason I’m training for my first ultra! Her story is cool, but her positivity is cooler. I met her momentarily at my first 25k and she was so sweet & kind. And I really appreciate how realistic she is about running & body image.”

“Callie’s personal story is amazing and what she does online helps so many runners feel more welcome in the running community. She’s often the supporting voice I need in my ear.”