Andy Jones-Wilkins

About

Andy Jones-Wilkins (born c. 1967) is an American ultrarunner, coach, and writer from Boise, Idaho who has become one of the most widely respected community figures in trail and ultrarunning — celebrated not for podium victories but for remarkable consistency, intellectual generosity, and decades of contribution to the sport's culture. Known universally as AJW, he has finished Western States 100 more than a dozen times and is a multiple Hardrock 100 finisher, accruing one of the highest personal finish counts in either event's history. A longtime educator and former school administrator, he coaches runners across the performance spectrum and is known for crafting training and race strategy around the individual rather than applying generic templates. His writing for iRunFar.com — where he has published columns for years covering race culture, training philosophy, and the deeper meaning of long-distance running — has made him one of the sport's most distinctive and widely-shared intellectual voices. Jones-Wilkins has participated in the Western States community in virtually every role: competitor, pacer, crew member, and analyst whose post-race reflections are widely read and referenced. In a sport increasingly defined by speed records and viral moments, AJW represents an alternative ideal — the value of showing up, year after year, with curiosity and humility, for the love of running long in the mountains.

Notable Wins

• — 12+ Western States 100 finishes
• — multiple Hardrock 100 finishes
• — iRunFar.com Trail Notes columnist

Race History