The Hardrock 100 Endurance Run is known as one of the toughest ultras in the world. Taking place in the heart of the San Juans, the 100-mile run boasts a head-shaking 33,992 feet of climbing and 33,992 feet of descent for a total elevation change of 67,984 feet, with an average elevation of 11,186 feet. The lowest point of the course is 7,680 feet in Ouray, and the highest point is a whopping 14,048 feet at Handies Peak. Needless to say, the race consistently attracts some of the world’s best ultrarunners year after year, and 2014 was no different.
The men’s race saw Spain’s Kilian Jornet set a solid pace from the start, and then broke away from the pack later on to set a new record time of 22:41:33 (the previous record of 23:23:00 was set in 2008 by Kyle Skaggs). 2011 winner Julien Chorier of France came in second in 25:07:56, with Canadian Adam Campbell rounding out the top three in 25:56:46. Notable Colorado finishers include fifth place finisher Scott Jaime who recently set the FKT on the 486-mile Colorado Trail, and Aspen’s Ted Mahon who finished tenth.
The women’s race was rather reminiscent of 2013’s event, as previous Hardrock winner and veteran Diana Finkel lead for the majority race. Finkel, just like in 2013, dropped for the third time in a row with just 13 miles to go at Maggie Gulch. Boulder’s Darcy Piceu, who was in second place for the ladies most of the race, took the lead and crossed the line in first for the third time in 29:49:58, good for eleventh overall. Steamboat Springs’ Betsy Kalmeyer finished her 15th Hardrock in second place in 37:57:22.
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