Congratulations to Sarah Lavender Smith – our Overall RunUltra Blogger Award Winner in 2017

Last updated: 07-Jul-17

By Kathryn Bullock

Many congratulations to Sarah who kindly sent us a great picture proudly wearing her Suunto Spartan Ultra Sports Watch prize.  Sarah was the overall winner of the 2017 RunUltra Blogger Award for her blog The Runner’s Trip, and she commented:

Thx to @RunUltra_UK blogger award, I have new @suunto Spartan Ultra I’m psyched to use. Love the altimeter & @Movescount app! Thx RunUltra!

Here are Sarah’s comments on finding out she had won the Award:

Thank you RunUltra for a high-quality, thoughtful contest that spotlights many worthwhile blogs. I’m glad to have discovered RunUltra along with new blogs through this process. I’m extremely honoured and grateful to be named the overall winner. Your recognition motivates me to be the best blogger (and runner!) I can be in the coming year. I invite your community members to like my page The Runner’s Trip: Run Long, Travel Far, Discover More if they want blog updates & additional mountain/trail/ultra-running news.”

We loved the photo of her cartwheels which Sarah posted on Facebook and her comments.

The #TBT pic shows me on New Year’s Eve 2011 when I was so happy finishing the Rodeo Beach 50K, and realizing I was 1st woman, that I turned a cartwheel. Late yesterday, I felt the same kind of joy when I got the news from RunUltra (a great UK-based site, check it out) that I was overall winner in an international blogging contest. #RunUltra had reviewed more than a hundred running blogs to nominate 62 from around the globe. It then conducted a vote-by-email contest. I’m extremely grateful to all the readers of my blog,

TheRunnersTrip.com, and friends who voted for me and sent encouraging feedback. Thank YOU! I used to call TheRunnersTrip.com “my neglected child” during dry spells in blogging–the last thing I’d feed and care for–but this honor motivates me to blog with higher quality and frequency, so I promise to feed it more in 2017!

Also many congratulations to our overall and regional finalists and other regional winners as follows: Jeff McCarthy (UK), Nuno Gaio (Europe) and Linda Doke (Africa).

Sarah is extremely generous in sharing her knowledge, learning and top training tips and we recommend you have a read of her blog.

Her latest blog “All women should be free to run…” is a very interesting one highlighting the challenge that women had back in the 1960s of being able to run in the US Boston Marathon. It also covers the women nowadays who face enormous challenges in being able to run, such as the first woman who ran in the Marathon of Afghanistan in 2015.

We encourage you to explore each of the blogs from our entrants and finalists who have some amazing stories to share of their ultra running adventures. The quality of the blogs this year has been astounding so do check them out. They are an inspiration to us all.

A big thank you once again to everyone who took part in the contest, and to our thousands of voters. We enjoyed reading your blogs and we wish you a very successful ultra running year.

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Global - Virtual

Elevation

A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

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For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

Endurance - Multi-activity

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An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

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Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Brutal

Elevation

Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude)

Suitable for

Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Expert

Elevation

Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat)

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Experienced runners who have completed at least 4 ultras in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Advanced

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Increase of up to 1500 metres

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Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Intermediate

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Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for

Runners who have completed at least one ultra in last 6 months or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Beginner

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Very little change < 500 metres

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First ultra event. Runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running (>26 miles) in the last 6 months.