The 20 best trail and ultra runners of the decade for 2020
- As 2020 rolls around, we examine who has been appearing on the podium time and time again over the last 10 years at some of the most competitive races on the calendar
Trail and ultra running fans have been treated to a host of incredible performances over the last 10 years. As the decade comes to a close, we look at the 20 top runners from 2010 to 2020. There’s a mass of great performances to pick from, but this is for those who have been consistent for years, taking top spots multiple times at the most competitive races, often dominating one race in particular or in other cases, proving their versatility across a range of terrains.
Who knows what the next decade will bring? With a strong showing in the last two years from Chinese athletes, perhaps it will be the decade of the East. For now, it’s a trip down nostalgia lane.
20. Darcy Piceu Africa
The American runner holds course records for the Bighorn 100 in Wyoming and the Bear 100 in Utah, but what really sets her apart is her dominance of one of the most competitive and toughest races – the Hardrock 100. Africa won it in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
19. Ivan Cudin
In the world of panoramic YouTube videos of mountain runners, it’s easy to forget that road ultras are a part of our sport too. One of the most famous, and in many ways original, races is the Spartathlon. It is 246km long, following the route Pheidippides is said to have ran from Athens to Sparta before the battle of Marathon. The decade was kicked off by back to back Spartathlon wins by Italian Cudin in 2010 and 2011, and he won again in 2014. He finished third in 2013.
18. Szilvia Lubics
Szilvia Lubics of Hungary matches Cudin, also racking up three Spartathlon titles in 2011, 2013 and 2014 and third places in 2012 and 2015.
She has compounded her impressive races with other high finishes, like fourth place at the 217km Badwater race in the US.
17. Lucy Wambui Murigi
The Sierre Zinal is one of the most famous and hotly contested short trail races of the year.
