With standout performances at two of the biggest 100-mile races in the world, it’s not a surprise this pair of athletes landed themselves in the top three for Trail Runner of the Year in 2022. Through the heat, mountains, and stacked competition these two individuals rose to the top of their respective podiums and landed in second in TROY voting. While their 2022s were huge they both have some big race goals ahead on the 2023 calendar. If you have missed any of the inaugural TROY awards coverage you can catch up here: third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth.
In second position we have The North Face’s Katie Schide and Hoka’s Adam Peterman.
Despite numerous impressive podiums at races like Lavaredo, Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, CCC, the Mont-Blanc 90km, and two previous top ten finishes at UTMB Katie Schide remained slightly under the radar (and in our opinion underrated) until the 2022 season. The American who has been living in Europe since 2016 has now officially had any and all underdog status revoked. After a winter full of skimo racing and an early spring race calendar stymied by Covid, Katie kicked off her season with a warmup win at the Maxi Marathon distance race in Annecy in May. She followed up that performance with a win in the 100-kilometer race at Val d’Aran, finishing sixth overall. With patience, a solid build but perhaps less race heavy than in years past all eyes were set on UTMB. Katie led the race early, threatening Courtney Dauwalter’s course record splits for much of the first half of the race. What followed was an incredible all out battle between Katie and French Canadian athlete Marianne Hogan. We were fortunate enough to see both major passes on the live coverage as they pushed each other to their bests and to the finish line. Katie, ultimately coming out on top – and entering a whole new league.
FT: What was your personal highlight from 2022?
KS: One of the best things that came out of 2022 for me was finally finishing my PhD after dragging it out for way too many years. It is such a huge relief to have that chapter of my life finished and behind me.
FT: What was a struggle or something you learned in 2022?
KS: More than anything, my biggest takeaway from this year was the importance of rest.
FT: What are you looking forward to in 2023?
KS: Running my first ultra in the US since 2016!
Do you want a lesson in how to have a breakout year? Look no further than the athlete from Missoula, Montana – Adam Peterman. With a season ending win at the historic JFK 50-mile in late 2021 Adam entered the 2022 season shouldering the potential burden of a whole lot of expectation. We want to know, can remaining completely unruffled be a superpower? Seven races into his very new ultrarunning career and Adam has won every single one of them. In 2022 he notched wins and course records at Chuckanut 50-kilometer and the Canyons Endurance Runs 100-kilometer race where he grabbed his golden ticket into the Western States Endurance Run. Adam then went on to be the first male in several decades to win WSER in his debut 100-mile race – a feat no one expected of him but everyone hoped for him. Closing out his season in his first ever race off of US soil he won the World Mountain and Trail Running World Championship in the 80-kilometer distance while helping the US men to a team gold as well.
FT: What was your personal highlight from 2022?
AP: Running the final mile of Western States with my friends and family. To win seemed like a longshot, and to have it all come together and share that mile with my crew will be a memory I’ll cherish forever.
FT: What was a struggle or something you learned in 2022?
AP: I had been an assistant cross country coach for four years at the local high school where I live, but in the fall I chose to quit that job to put more focus towards training. It was tough to leave after being a part of the program for so long, but ultimately it was the right decision as it gave me a lot more time to train and travel to races.
FT: What are you looking forward to in 2023?
AP: Currently I’ve been enjoying a winter off season from running with some big nordic skiing weeks. But once the snow melts I’m really stoked to return to Western States in June. Jim’s record is over an hour faster than I ran last year, but I feel like with the right conditions I have a shot at it.
While 2022 were definitely and happily ‘best years ever’ for Katie and Adam we are so excited to see them continue to step up and take big swings at races in 2023 – and the biggest congratulations to you both! Looks like we’ll be welcoming both these athletes back to Olympic Valley for WSER in June – Adam in a potential record attempt and Katie racing her first ultra on US soil in seven years. Excited? We sure are! Tune back in here tomorrow to celebrate the two athletes who took home the inaugural TROY gold for 2022.