Athletics: Sarah Webster named IAU women's athlete of the year

Former Island runner set world record during strong 2025

Former Island runner, Sarah Webster has been named the 2025 International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) women's athlete of the year.

Webster - who's previously represented the Island at the Commonwealth Games - takes the accolade following a record-breaking campaign.

She took top spot for the female award with 42.2 percent of the votes, with Poland's Patryjca Bereznowksa in second (21.1 percent) and Stine Rex of Denmark in third (14.8 percent) 

During 2025, Webster set a new world record of 278.622km on her way to winning the IAU 24H World Championship in France on the weekend of the 18-19 October.

Furthermore, she also managed new personal best times of three hours, 20 minutes and seven seconds over 50km as well as seven hours, three minutes and 40 seconds over the 100km distance and is a current member of the Great Britain squad.

Separately, Belgium's Matthieu Bonne won the 2025 IAU men's athlete of the year award.

IAU President, Nadeem Khan, says: "I would like to congratulate Sarah and Matthieu for being voted as 2025's Athlete of the year. 

"Both athletes have had an outstanding year and we look forward to seeing how they exceed their remarkable 2025 in this and future years."