Day two and our recap continues as we celebrate the incredible performances from vertical kilometers to 200+ mile races in the first annual TROY awards. If you missed yesterday’s tenth place announcement you can find it here.
In ninth position this year we have Hoka’s Annie Hughes and Salomon’s François D’Haene.
At only 24 years old, Annie Hughes is a force to be reckoned with. While the young American might not have raced outside of the US this year she did race a lot and in record setting fashion. Annie ran four 100-mile races, winning three of them (notably Run Rabbit Run and High Lonesome), and set records at the High Lonesome 100-mile race and in the challenging Cocodona 250-mile race. While 2022 was an impressive string of racing for the Leadville, Colorado based runner, we can’t wait to see what Annie does in 2023.
FT: What was your personal highlight from the 2022 season?
AH: There’s nothing quite like the experience of running a 200+ miler, but it has become my favorite distance by far. I had so many friends and family members who came out to support me at the Cocodona 250-mile, and sharing such a crazy multi-day adventure with all of them was the highlight of my year for sure.
FT: What was something you struggled with or learned from the 2022 season?
AH: Recovery became much more difficult the further I got into my season. I learned that racing four 100-mile races, plus a 250-mile race in one season isn’t sustainable for me longterm, but I was somehow able to get away with it this year.
FT: What are you looking forward to in 2023?
AH: Hardrock 100-mile is truly a dream come true for me, so I’m mostly looking forward to that race and training in the beautiful San Juan Mountains all summer. I’m also really excited to be running my very first ultra outside of the US at the Swiss Peaks 360-kilometer (220+ miles). Should be an amazing year full of mountain adventures!
How does one introduce a legend like François D’Haene? A champion ultrarunner, a father, a mountain person, an event organizer, a winemaker. The 2021 season was one for the record books with the French athlete putting together a record setting performance at the Hardrock 100-mile before going onto to also win UTMB. 2022 was a little rockier for the veteran athlete as he faced one of the only real injuries in his fifteen year running career. Despite all of that François took the win at the early season Volcanic Experience 110-kilometer race and then showed up for his second go at Hardrock. Racing head to head in one of the closest battles Hardrock has seen François, Dakota Jones, and the eventual winner Kilian Jornet pushed each other to new heights in the 2022 edition of the race. Finishing second to Kilian is not all that bad of a place to be.
FT: What was your personal highlight from the 2022 season?
FDH: Hardrock 100-mile, it was a good session. I was not feeling as good as last year but I was really happy to come back even with some pain and doubt. But the magical place and ambiance around the San Juan Mountains made a big change for me and after ten days of training I was happy to take the start line and try my best around the loop!
FT: What was something you struggled with or learned from the 2022 season?
FDH: It was a really hard year for me. I experienced some strange feelings in my body that I have never experienced in the last fifteen years and they finally transformed into a serious injury… So the experience was not pleasant, but like all experiences this one should be helpful for the future!
FT: What are you looking forward to in 2023?
FDH: Actually I just want to enjoy a BIG DAY in the mountains with some friends. Have some nice pain in the legs at the end of the day and enjoy it!
While François might be looking for a big day (just) off of a traditional start line I know we can’t wait to see what Annie Hughes might be able to do in the legendary high alpine race that is Hardrock. Congratulations to everything you both accomplished in 2022! Now who could be in eighth position? Check back in here tomorrow morning to find out!