The past week, we’ve named the best athletes, races, kicks, workouts, and interviews of 2018. In the final installment today, I take one last look at the year and hand out some awards.

Best Relay Leg: Kendall Ellis

There were plenty of fast splits and record-breaking times to choose from in this category. But the winner had the added element of drama that makes the 4x400m relay special. 

This 4x4 was UNBELIEVABLEpic.twitter.com/TNbFKbEiC8

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 10, 2018

You’ve seen it a hundred times by now, probably each time thinking that this is the time that Kendall Ellis won’t be able to rally from that huge deficit with 150 meters remaining. 

Team Of The Year: Eliud Kipchoge & Claus-Henning Schulke

On his way to a 2:01:39 record-obliterating marathon, Eliud Kipchoge had assistance from one of the most enthusiastic water bottle handlers of all-time. 

Claus-Henning Schulke, the German man on the bike handing hydration and good vibes to Kipchoge during the Berlin Marathon, became a phenomenon after the race. Could Kipchoge have broken the world record without Claus’ fist-pumps? Probably. Was it more fun with him as a supporting character to the most impressive running moment in marathon history. Absolutely. 

Best Mainstream Moment: Juan Miguel Echevarria Almost Jumps Out Of The Pit

You never know which moments exactly are going to catch the attention of non-track diehards. And with no World Championships, this category was a bit more open. Honorable mention goes to Jimmy Gressier’s row with the finishing tape at Euro Cross and Usain Bolt’s two-goal soccer match, but the winner is Juan Miguel Echevarria’s wind-aided 8.83m jump that nearly put him out of the pit.

‼️8.83‼️ (+2.1) Longest jump in 23 years and almost jumps OUT OF THE PITpic.twitter.com/4Tk2USoi9u

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 10, 2018

False Start Of The Year: WADA Reinstating Russia

The global anti-doping body reaccredited the Russian lab despite much resistance from the athletics community and minimal evidence that they had made the required changes for reinstatement. But any thought that this would usher Russia back into the good graces of the IAAF was shot down when later in the year the organization announced that Russia was still banned from the sport. 

False Finish Of The Year: Yomif Kejelcha Pulls Selemon Barega’s Shorts

In retrospect, both men got to run a fast time (and ensure that 2018 wouldn’t go down in history as the slowest year for the men’s 5000m since the early 90s), but it looked for a while like the best opportunity for a quick mark was spoiled by two countrymen getting into a spat in the final curve that left Barega in shock (but with his shorts in place) and Kejelcha on his butt. 

Best Pre-Race Intro: Noah Lyles

For a man so emblematic of the present, he showed that he has a strong appreciation for the classics. 

Noah Lyles out here doing the 'Willy Wonka' at track meets pic.twitter.com/Nwezj14WcU

— Gordon Mack (@gordonmack) July 20, 2018

Best Post-Race Celebration: Eliud Kipchoge

This “post-race” celebration actually starts before Kipchoge crosses the finish line and it is revealing that he is able to do so without any fear of a) being caught (there was no way that was going to happen) or b) miss the record (he did it by 1:17). Add it to the list of other methods to measure Kipchoge’s greatness. 

Eliud Kipchoge ● 2:01:40 ● World Record pic.twitter.com/iptKtN14k0

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) September 16, 2018

As for the celebration, it was the most animated I’ve seen Kipchoge after a race--from the big fist pumps directly and then a full speed jump into his coach’s arms. 

Disappointment Of The Year: World Indoors

DQs and then more DQs. Revisions to the final result became the norm and that’s not a fun way to watch a track meet. 

Breakthrough Of The Year: Shelby Houlihan

Some solid nominees here, but I went with Houlihan. In 2017 she was a solid bet for a top three placing at a US Championship in the 1500m or 5000m. She ends 2018 not just as the best in the country at both, but a dual threat in either event for 2019. Houlihan lowered her 1500m personal best to 3:57.34 and her 5000m mark to 14:34.45, the latter an American record. She won two Diamond League 1500s and swept the four U.S. Championship races she entered.