The highest award that an ultracyclist can earn.

Honor Roll

Dan Driscoll (2007)

Hugh Gapay

John and Nancy Guth (2013)

Chris “Hoppo” Hopkinson (2015)

Russ Loomis

Ross Muecke (2015)

A few years ago, the World Ultra Cycling Association initiated a new award, Ultracyclist of Distinction, to honor ultra cyclists who achieve excellence in several areas of the sport for three or more years. The Ultracyclist of Distinction is the highest award that an ultra cyclist can earn. To earn the Ultracyclist of Distinction honor a cyclist must demonstrate outstanding performance in three out of four consecutive years. Further, a rider must achieve distinction in at least two WUCA programs over the course of the four years. (A rider need not achieve distinction in two programs every year.) UCD is distinct from Hall of Fame recognition. UCD recognizes peak years of performance; HOF recognizes lifetime achievement.

The World Ultra Cycling Association is a volunteer organization. The rider must also demonstrate significant service to ultra cyclists during at least one of the years. The volunteer work must be the equivalent of a week of full-time service. Examples include producing an Ultracup event, chairing a program, compiling program statistics, contributing editor to the magazine, officiating for a record attempt, etc.

Each rider earning the Ultracyclist of Distinction will receive a plaque from the WUCA and will be honored in UltraCycling.

The programs and standards are:

World Ultra Cycling Association membership: Nominees must have been WUCA members for at least the four-year period considered for qualification. The four-year period selected by the applicant must fall within the last six calendar years.

The programs in which excellence must be documented are:

  1. WUCA Year-Rounder Challenge: Earn at least Platinum (5000 miles). The Year-Rounder showcases consistent performance in cycling throughout the year. Riders earn certificates, medals and plaques and top riders are recognized in UltraCycling.
  2. Ultracycling Cup: Earn at least 85 total points, either in the Ultra Cup or the World Cup. The UCC is a series of races to determine the best ultra racers of the season, with divisions based on age and gender. Riders earn medals and plaques and are eligible for prizes. Top riders are recognized in UltraCycling. Points earned as  a member of a team will count, although the number of points earned will be divided by the number of racers on the team. Performances in events that are not listed on the WUCA calendar as a Cup event will not meet this criteria, but such performances may be submitted as supplemental criteria.
  3. WUCA Records program: Set one or more records totaling at least 500 miles in one year through the auspices of the WUCA Records program. Setting a record is a significant achievement for an endurance cyclist and a great way to prepare for racing. Records are categorized by age and gender and may be set by solo riders, tandem riders and 2- or 4-person relay teams. Record setters are recognized in UltraCycling and are awarded plaques. Records set in races, such as RAAM, RAW, or other ultra races) do not meet this criteria, but may be submitted as supplemental criteria.

WUCA members who are interested in the UCD award should contact the Board of Directors.