We are pleased to share the final list of nominations for the 2025 IAU Athlete of the Year. Our congratulations go to all 24 nominated athletes (12 women and 12 men) whose outstanding performances in 2025 have rightfully earned them a place on this list.
With the nominations now confirmed, the process moves into the voting phase. Voting is open exclusively to the IAU Executive Council members, two representatives from the Athletes Commission, and all Member Federations, each holding one (1) vote.
The voting period begins today, January 31st 2026, and will close on February 14th 2026. All relevant details are provided below.
Final list of nomination
Women (Alphabetical Order)
- Aitken, Mel (NZL) – 1st place, 2025 IAU 100 km Asia & Oceania (9:04:14)
- Bereznowska, Patrycja (POL) – 48H IAU WR (436.371 km), 24H IAU European Record (263.178 km)
- Budha, Sunmaya (NPL) – 2nd place, 2025 Long Trail WMTRC (10:23:03)
- Conti, Fabiola (ITA) – 3rd place, 2025 Long Trail WMTRC (10:35:51)
- Dolma, Tenzin (IND) – 2nd place, 2025 IAU 100 km Asia & Oceania (9:18:49)
- Nakata, Miho (JPN) – 3rd place, 2025 IAU 24H Worlds (271.987 km)
- Olsen, Courtney (USA) – 50 Mile IAU WR (5:31:57)
- Ranson, Holly (AUS) – 2nd place, 2025 IAU 24H Worlds (274.172 km)
- Rex, Stine (DEN) – 6 Day WBP (928.577 km)
- Schide, Katie (USA) – 1st place, 2025 Long Trail WMTRC (9:57:59)
- Webster, Sarah (GBR) – 1st place, 2025 IAU 24H Worlds (278.622 km; WR pending)
- Zanwar, Aarti Brijmohan (IND) – 3rd place, 2025 IAU 100 km Asia & Oceania (10:15:27)
Men (Alphabetical Order)
- Bonne, Matthieu (BEL) – 48H IAU WR (485.099 km)
- Coiffet, Louison (FRA) – joint 2nd place, 2025 Long Trail WMTRC (8:46:05)
- Dawson, Clay (AUS) – 2nd place, 2025 IAU 100 km Asia & Oceania (7:15:22)
- Devanda, Amar Singh (IND) – 1st place, 2025 IAU 100 km Asia & Oceania (6:59:37)
- Fudali, Bartoz (POL) - 48H IAU *WABP (465.352 km)
- Gore, Phil (AUS) – 24H IAU Oceania Record (270.826 km)
- Jonkka, Matti (FIN) – 3rd place, 2025 IAU 24H Worlds (283.699 km)
- Norum, Jo Inge (NOR) – 2nd place, 2025 IAU 24H Worlds (285.513 km)
- Ranjan, Saurav Kumar (IND) – 3rd place, 2025 IAU 100 km Asia & Oceania (7:23:02)
- Roubiol, Benjamin (FRA) – joint 2nd place, 2025 Long Trail WMTRC (8:46:05)
- Tkachuk, Andrii (UKR) – 1st place, 2025 IAU 24H Worlds (294.346 km)
- Walmsley, Jim (USA) – 1st place, 2025 Long Trail WMTRC (8:35:11)
*WABP - World Age Best Performance
Voting Process
Voting is open exclusively to the IAU Executive Council, two representatives from the Athletes Commission, and all Member Federations, each holding one (1) vote. The voting period runs from January 30, 2025, through February 14, 2025.
Each eligible voter is asked to rank their top three (3) athletes—both men and women—from the final list of nominees using the following point system:
- 1st Choice: 5 points
- 2nd Choice: 3 points
- 3rd Choice: 1 point
All voting instructions have already been communicated to eligible voters, who were asked to submit their selections to:
- Jacek Bedkowski – Jacek.Bedkowski@iau-ultramarathon.org
- John O’Regan – John.Oregan@iau-ultramarathon.org
Once voting closes, all points will be compiled. The male and female athletes with the highest total scores will be named the 2025 IAU Athletes of the Year.
Dates for the process:
|
Date |
Process |
|
January 15th - January 29th 2026 |
Nomination window - Closed |
|
January 30th 2026 |
A final list of nominated athletes will be forwarded to the IAU Executive Council, Athletes Commission Chair and Vice Chair and IAU Member Federations. |
|
January 31st – February 14th 2026 |
Voting process open for the Executive Council, Athletes Commission Chair and Vice Chair and Member Federations. |
|
February 17th 2026 |
IAU Executive Council will confirm the 2025 IAU Athlete of the Year |
