Trail Runner of The Year (TROY) was born out of a desire to recognize the very best in the sport by capturing the truly global nature of the trail running community. As an award voted on by the international public, by the athletes’ peers, and by you the fans of the sport, we set out to fully democratize the voting process. We’ve learned a lot in the first iteration of TROY and hope this becomes an annual capstone that we can improve upon year to year with your support. In total 1,013 ballots were cast by individuals from sixty-two countries representing six continents. There were 163 athletes, thirty-three nationalities, on the ballot and each one of them received at least one vote. We want to thank those of you who took the time to cast your ballot in this first of its kind, distance agnostic, global attempt to celebrate what was accomplished by so many athletes over the course of past year. Thank you – let’s roll!
In tenth position this year we have Salomon’s Camille Bruyas and adidas Terrex’s Tom Evans.
In 2021 Camille Bruyas rocketed onto many a trail radar with a win at Lavaredo and a second place finish at UTMB, but the french physio and yoga teacher was just getting started. Her finish at UTMB landed her a golden ticket into the 2022 Western States Endurance Run where she ultimately went on to finish tenth on the day. What ultimately landed Camille tenth in the 2022 TROY voting was her impressive fall racing, notching wins at both Templiers and Ultra Trail Cape Town.
FT: What was your personal highlight from the 2022 season?
CB: The end of the season! Winning Templiers and UTCT only one month apart after a difficult beginning to my season was special. Also it was so nice to get to discover new races, new countries and share that with other athletes.
FT: What was something you struggled with or learned from the 2022 season?
CB: I learned a lot during the Western States Endurance Run (WSER), I had to learn how I can manage a one hundred mile race without be at my full capacity, how I can enjoy a race differently with a pacer, and a new downhill route compared to races like UTMB. It was so fun!
FT: What are you looking forward to in 2023?
CB: For 2023 I am looking forward to being back at WSER. I am looking forward to having it push me again in its magic, but it is the hardest race in the world as an European athlete!
For an athlete who only years ago accidentally got into the sport after losing a bet over a beer, the former British solider Tom Evans has had a meteoric rise in trail and ultrarunning. But success does not come without setbacks. 2022 was a year of redemption for Tom after having to undergo a major knee surgery which took him out of the entirety of the 2021 season. That redemption that was found in a steady reentry into the sport, notching early season wins in the 60-kilometer event at Transgrancanaria and the 80-kilometer event at the Madeira Island Ultra Trail before ultimately finishing an affirming third place at the 2022 UTMB in August.
FT: What was your personal highlight from the 2022 season?
TE: UTMB has to be the highlight, only 12 months after a serious knee injury, being able to finish on the podium really put my imposter syndrome at ease! And getting Married!
FT: What was something you struggled with or learned from the 2022 season?
TE: Rather then looking at how much training I can do we (alongside my coach Scott Johnson) were cautious and looked at what was the minimum amount of training I could do to achieve my goals. Training smarter than ever!
FT: What are you looking forward to in 2023?
TE: The Western States Endurance Run (WSER) is my main race focus. Then the Bob Graham Round – this has always been a passion of mine. Combining community with performance is a great mix.
Selfishly, we are looking forward to having both Camille and Tom back at WSER in 2023 – congratulations to you both! Now who could be in ninth position? Come back here tomorrow morning to find out!