National Geographic Adventure announced mountain runner Kilian Jornet Burgada as its Adventurer of the Year for 2014. He won the People’s Choice Award.
During each of the past eight years, 10 adventurers have been named Adventurer of the Year based on “extraordinary achievement in exploration, conservation, humanitarianism and adventure sports.”
Jornet, from Catalonia, Spain, is considered one of the best endurance athletes in the world. GearJunkie editors have had the chance to run with him on a few occasions (and watch him quickly disappear from sight) and we have witnessed him graciously take pictures and sign autographs with adoring fans.
His love for running and adventure is contagious.
He currently lives in the French Alps just below Mont Blanc. He is the 2013 Sky Series Champion and Ultra Series, Transvulcania Ultramarathon winner, and he holds the fastest known time ascending and descending the Matterhorn (2:52).
Jornet is author of the book Run or Die, in which he shares his intense love for the sport, and a top runner for the Salomon Running team.
National Geographic Adventure featured photos, interviews and videos of the 10 nominees for several months to acquaint readers with the personalities. In November 2013, it asked its readers to vote to name one of the ten as the “People’s Choice” Adventurer of the Year. Jornet won.
“Being designated adventurer of the year is very important to me. It is an acknowledgement from the publication I have read since I was very young, which shares the same values that I hold dear: nature, adventure,” Jornet said.
“The most exciting aspect of this prize is that it is awarded by the general public. For this reason I would like to thank all those who voted for me and all those who have supported me since I became involved in this sport.” —Sean McCoy
