The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 IAU Athlete of the Year Award. This year’s honours go to Sarah Webster (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and Matthieu Bonne (Belgium), both earning the distinction for the first time in their careers after delivering exceptional performances throughout the 2025 season.
Webster and Bonne each made history during the year. At the 2025 IAU 24H World Championships in Albi, France, Sarah Webster claimed the world title and set a new women’s 24‑hour IAU World Record in her debut at the discipline. Matthieu Bonne also reached a career‑defining milestone, establishing a new 48‑hour IAU World Record, further cementing his position among the world’s leading multi‑day ultrarunners.
A Strong Field of Nominees
The 2025 awards featured a highly competitive field, with 12 men and 12 women nominated across a wide range of ultradistance disciplines. The depth of performances and global representation made this one of the most compelling editions of the awards to date.
Engagement in the voting process remained high, with 92% of nominated men (11 out of 12) and 75% of nominated women (9 out of 12) receiving votes. The results reflect the exceptional achievements and dedication demonstrated by all nominees throughout the season.
Voting Results
The final voting highlighted the standout performances of the leading athletes in both categories.
Top 3 Men's Voting Results:
|
Matthieu Bonne (BEL) |
32.7% |
|
Andrii Tkachuk (UKR) |
32.0% |
|
Jim Walmsley (USA) |
18.0% |
Top 3 Women's Voting Results:
|
Sarah Webster (GBR) |
42.2% |
|
Patrycja Bereznowska (POL) |
21.1% |
|
Stine Rex (DEN) |
14.8% |
The margins between first and second place in the Men’s category were quite close and in the Women’s category Sarah Webster was the standout first choice.
Congratulations to all nominees and winners for their outstanding contributions to ultrarunning!
I would like to congratulate Sarah and Matthieu for being voted as 2005's Athlete of the year. Both athletes have had an outstanding year and we look forward to seeing how they exceed their remarkable 2025 in this and future years. I also congratulate all the other athletes who made the shortlist. Congratulations to all nominees and winners for their outstanding contributions to ultrarunning!
Nadeem Khan, IAU President.
Sarah Webster (Great Britain)
Sarah Webster has emerged as one of Great Britain’s most accomplished ultrarunners, recognised for her consistency, strength, and exceptional range across ultradistance events. Now a key member of the British national team, she has delivered standout performances at major international championships, particularly in the 24‑hour format, where her pacing discipline and mental resilience set her apart.
Her world‑record‑breaking run at the 2025 IAU 24H World Championships confirmed her status as one of the leading ultrarunners of her generation. Webster continues to represent Great Britain with determination and pride, inspiring athletes across the global ultrarunning community.
Personal Bests (PB)
- 50 km: 3:20:07
- 100 km: 7:03:40
- 24 hours: 278.622 km (IAU WR)
Matthieu Bonne (Belgium)
Matthieu Bonne has quickly established himself as one of the most versatile and dynamic ultrarunners in the world. Renowned for his exceptional endurance and ability to excel across a wide range of ultradistance formats, he has built a reputation as a relentless competitor capable of delivering world‑class performances in multi‑day events.
His achievements in the 24‑hour, 48‑hour, and 6‑day disciplines place him firmly among the global elite. Bonne’s historic 48‑hour IAU World Record and his consistent results throughout 2024 and 2025 highlight his growing influence in the sport. He continues to push the boundaries of human endurance and redefine what is possible in long‑duration ultrarunning.
Personal Bests (PB)
- 24 hours: 275.250 km
- 48 hours: 485.099 km (IAU WR)
- 6 days: 1045.519 km
