Canada’s path and ultrarunning neighborhood has loads to have a good time as two of its personal earned spots on Extremely Operating Journal’s prestigious Extremely Runner of the 12 months (UROY) listing. Quebec’s Marianne Hogan and Ihor Verys of Chilliwack, B.C., each extremely sturdy, various athletes, made waves on the worldwide stage this 12 months.
Verys: a Barkley breakthrough for Canada
In just some years since his ultrarunning debut, Verys has already achieved legendary standing. The Ukrainian-born runner, now based mostly in B.C., landed tenth within the males’s UROY rankings, bolstered by a 12 months that few might match.
Verys started 2024 with a win on the notoriously robust HURT 100 in Hawaii, setting the tone for an unbelievable season. His defining second got here when he grew to become one in every of solely 20 runners within the race’s 38-year historical past (and the one Canadian) to finish—and grow to be the primary finisher—of the Barkley Marathons on his first try, a feat that has now cemented his place in ultrarunning lore.
Having moved to Canada in 2015 as a pupil at age 21, Verys has grow to be a proud consultant of his adopted nation on the world stage. Like Hogan, Verys shares a contagious love for the game, placing his ardour for the working neighborhood earlier than podium finishes.
Ihor Verys turns into first Canadian to complete Barkley Marathons
Hogan: a comeback season to recollect
Montréal native Hogan claimed tenth place within the ladies’s UROY rankings. After accidents derailed her 2023 season, Hogan returned stronger than ever in 2024.
She began the 12 months with a Sixth-place end on the Transvulcania 125K in Spain’s Canary Islands, proving she was again in type. Hogan’s season continued to shine when she captured a decisive victory on the Swiss Canyon Path 111K. Nevertheless, her crowning achievement got here on the iconic UTMB, the place she positioned third towards one of many deepest fields in path working historical past. Hogan, who completed second at UTMB in 2022, displayed unbelievable tenacity, overcoming a tough fall that left her with a dislocated index finger.
A former triathlete, Hogan’s enthusiasm for the game is obvious in her joyful manner. She’s keen about supporting others and was a pacer for pal and fellow ultrarunner Camille Bruyas of France to a second-place end at Hardrock 100 in Colorado.
Followers not simply from Canada, however all around the globe, can be wanting to see what races Hogan and Verys select to astonish us with in 2025.
For the entire listing of UROY awards, head right here.