NORTH Vancouver resident Ellie Greenwood was recently voted UltraRunning magazine's 2012 North American female Ultrarunner of the Year, earning that distinction for the second consecutive year.
The 33-year-old native of Scotland won eight ultramarathons in 2012 and broke the course records at both the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run and the JFK 50 Mile race in Maryland.
Greenwood also won the outstanding performance of the year award for her run at the Western States where she beat an 18-year-old record by 50 minutes, clocking a time of 16 hours 47 minutes and 19 seconds.
A panel of 24 ultramarathon race organizers from around North America voted for the awards and Greenwood picked up all 24 first-place votes. An ultramarathon is generally defined as any race longer than a 42.2-kilometre marathon.
Greenwood's stellar season was also recognized by Trail Running Canada who named her their Canadian Female Ultra Trail Runner of the Year.
In 2012 Greenwood showed she is pretty good at short races too, winning the BMO Vancouver Marathon in a time of 2: 42: 16, nearly four minutes ahead of the next fastest female in the field.
