Only athletes who participated in officially recognized trail running races by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) or the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) during the 2024 calendar year are eligible for the awards. These races must meet the criteria established for international trail running events, including proper certification of elevation gain, terrain difficulty, and adherence to environmental sustainability guidelines. Athletes who have excelled in endurance, technical skills, and overall performance are prioritized for these prestigious trail running awards.

The awards recognize outstanding performance in the following trail running categories:

• Short Distance, Medium Distance, and Skyrunning: Races up to marathon distance, characterized by steep ascents, technical descents, and high-altitude trails that test speed and agility.
• Long Distance and Ultra Distance: Races exceeding marathon distance, often involving ultra-endurance, night running, and extensive elevation profiles. Athletes competing in these categories showcase their stamina, mental resilience, and mastery of trail navigation.

Voting for the TrailRunAdvisor Awards will take place from December 1st to December 14th, 2024. Voters must submit their preferences via email to info@trailrunadvisor.com. The process ensures that the best trail runners, recognized for their achievements in competitive trail running events, receive the votes. The structured timeframe guarantees sufficient evaluation of performances throughout the trail running calendar year.

The voting panel comprises representatives from leading trail running media outlets, associations, and professionals. Participants include experts with extensive knowledge of trail running disciplines, such as ultramarathons, skyrunning, and technical mountain trails. This diverse panel ensures fair representation of perspectives from countries like France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, the US, and others, fostering credibility and inclusivity in the voting process.

The winners of the TrailRunAdvisor Awards will be announced on December 19th, 2024. Results will be shared through a dedicated webpage and social media platforms to maximize visibility within the trail running community. A detailed list of the voting panel members and the total votes for each finalist will be disclosed, ensuring transparency and celebrating the accomplishments of trail running athletes across all categories.

To maintain integrity, an independent reviewer will oversee the voting process. This includes verifying that all votes comply with the guidelines for trail running awards, ensuring accuracy in vote counting, and addressing any discrepancies. The reviewer's role reinforces the credibility of the awards, aligning with the values of fair competition and recognition within the trail running community.

In the rare event of a tie, the independent reviewer will assess the athletes' overall performance during the year, focusing on achievements in significant trail running events, consistency in results, and their impact on the sport. This ensures that the final decision reflects the true spirit of trail running excellence.

TrailRunAdvisor is committed to the growth of the sport and aims to expand award categories in the future, including specialized categories for skyrunning. By involving athletes in the voting process, the awards will emphasize peer recognition and elevate the credibility of the results. This approach will inspire new runners to explore trail running, ultramarathons, and technical mountain races, fostering the sport's evolution.

To ensure impartiality, all voting participants must disclose any affiliations with eligible athletes or teams, including sponsorships, financial ties, or personal relationships. TrailRunAdvisor reserves the right to review disclosed conflicts and take appropriate measures, such as limiting voting privileges in specific categories, to uphold fairness in recognizing the achievements of trail running athletes.