Talk Ultra needs your help!We have set up a Patreon page and we are offering some great benefits for Patrons… you can even join us on the show! This is the easiest way to support Talk Ultra and help us continue to create!Many thanks to our Patrons who have helped via PATREON
Tag Archives: boulder
Episode 119 – Speedgoat on the AT and Pipp and Richard talk Superior 100
This is Episode 119 of Talk Ultra and we have a 1-hour special interview with Speedgoat Karl Meltzer on his incredible record breaking FKT on the AT. We also have interviews with the male and female winners of the Superior 100, Mallory Richard and Frank Pipp. We have the news and Ian is going solo!
KARL ON THE AT
On Sept. 18 at 3:38 a.m Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer emerged from the Appalachian Trail’s southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Ga., and set a new Appalachian Trail thru-hike speed record with a time of 45 days 22 hours and 38 minutes. Meltzer started his supported run at 5 a.m. on Aug. 3 from Mt. Katahdin, Maine, and averaged approximately 47 miles per day at a pace of 3.2 miles per hour. Meltzer’s time beats the previous record by more than 10 hours, which was set by Scott Jurek in 2015.
The project, in planning for more than two years, was accomplished with a small core crew consisting of Meltzer’s father, Karl Sr., and crew chief Eric Belz. Others joined the crew to support Meltzer for short periods throughout the hike, including Meltzer’s wife and fellow ultrarunners. The crew traveled alongside Meltzer every day, providing him with food, water, medical attention and logistical support. Meals were prepared and taken in a van, which also served as Meltzer and Belz’s sleeping quarters.
00:09:39 INTERVIEW WITH SPEEDGOAT
RUNNING BEYOND BOOK well I have a first copy in my hand and I have to say I am somewhat pleased and happy. It’s taken a couple of years and at times it never felt quite real. The book in my hand confirms it is real and Spanish, German, Italian and UK versions will be available in the coming months. I believe Spain is first (September) Italy is October and the UK November. I don’t have a date on the German edition yet! – HERE
01:13:43 NEWS
SALOMON GLEN COE SKYLINE HERE
- Jonathan Albon 6:33:52
- Tom Owens 6:37:21
- Marc Lauenstein 6:54:37
- Finlay Wild 7:00:57
- Greg Vollet 7:10:19
- Jasmin Paris 8:15:56
- Malene Bikken Haukoy 8:23:04
- Sarah Ridgway 8:44:40
- Ruth Croft 9:10:33
- Martina Valmassoi 9:14:37
Mamores VK HERE
Ring of Steall HERE
RUN THE RUT
ULTRA HERE
CCC HERE
VK HERE
SUPERIOR 100 HERE
01:35:32 INTERVIEW with FRANK PIPP
Pipp crossed the line in 20:24:00 a superior, Superior 100 champion. His run for a rookie 100-mile runner was incredible. Uhan had run a clever and smart race, he had saved something for those closing challenging miles and he pulled away from Jenkins and Schwarz-Lowe. His finish 22:46 was a solid 8-minutes ahead of Jenkins who had no doubt had the race of his life… he had managed to pull ahead of Schwarz-Lowe and take the final podium place by just 1-minute. But this only tells half the story. In the closing miles, under darkness, tired, fatigued and lacking focus, Jenkins had run into a head height true branch that cut his head open sending him flat to the ground. Somehow he managed to pick himself up and find the effort and pace to hold off a charging Schwarz-Lowe.
Richard finished next, first lady and 5th overall with a new course record 23:51. Her performance was stunning and almost looked effortless. It was impressive! Tina Johnson finished 2nd and Stephanie Hoff 3rd, 29:50 and 30:52 respectively. Queen of the Superior 100 finished 4th in 31:07 and in doing so, achieved her 16th buckle.
02:20:22 INTERVIEW with MALLORY RICHARD
RUN RABBIT RUN
Alex Nichols runs his first 100 wins in 17:57 and takes home 12,000 dollars. Nice! Mark Hammon 2nd in 19:19 and Kyle Curtin 3rd 19:27. Incredibly Jeff Browning was 4th… he is having some year!
Courtney Dawalter won the ladies race (not a nam I know) ahead of Alissa St Laurent and Nicole Kalogeropoulos. Their times 21:23, 22:38 and 23:10.
Notable drops were Nikki Kimball who has won the race in the past and Sage Canaday dropped in the men’s race.
WASATCH 100
Darcy Piceu came from behind to win in 23:15 and Trevor Fuchs 21:13
DEVILS RIDGE 70K
Yun Yanqiao run 6:30 to finish 11 minutes in front of Francois D’Haene. In the women’s race, Lucy Bartholomew pipped Sally McRae.
Kilian postpones Everest HERE
What about this lady that is saying she has set the AT record? HERE
Meghan Hicks of iRunFar scored a new FKT on Colorado’s Nolan’s 14 route. Hicks finished the 100-ish-mile epic over 14 peaks above 14,000 feet in 59:36. Hicks became the first female to complete the route to the ultimate trailhead in under 60 hours, and also broke the FKT to the 14th high point. Fellow Hardrocker Nick Pedatella was on the route at the same time and finished in 57:31. It is believed that Ted Mahon is the only other finisher this year, going a quick 55:37 in late August. Taken from ©iRunFar
UP & COMING RACES
Australia
Queensland
100 km | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
100 Mile | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
50 km | 50 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Bribie Beach Bash 50 km | 50 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
South Australia
Yurrebilla Trail 56km Ultra | 56 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Belgium
Brussels Capital Region
80 km | 80 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Brazil
127 km | 127 kilometers | October 06, 2016 | website
254 km | 254 kilometers | October 06, 2016 | website
Canada
Alberta
Iron Horse Ultra 100 Km (CAN) | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Iron Horse Ultra 100 Miles (CAN) | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
British Columbia
Golden Ultra | 80 kilometers | September 23, 2016 | website
Ontario
Run for the Toad 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Run Off the Grid 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Quebec
Ultra Trail du Bout du Monde | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Chile
Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2016 | 250 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Patagonian International Marathon – 63K | 63 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Croatia
Valamar Trail 53 | 53 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Valamar Trail 73 | 73 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Estonia
Haanja Jala100 – 100 km | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Finland
Eastern Finland
Vaarojen Ultramaraton | 86 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
France
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Trail Edelweiss | 55 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Ardèche
Les Crêtes 53 km | 53 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Les Sommets 107 km | 107 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Aveyron
100 km de Millau | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Calvados
66 km | 66 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Charente
75 km | 75 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Corrèze
80 km | 80 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Côte-d’Or
Alésia Trail – La Vercingétorix | 51 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Haute-Corse
A Paolina | 70 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Haute-Savoie
Trail des Aiguilles Rouges | 50 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Ille-et-Vilaine
100 km de la Vallée du Semnon | 100 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
50 km de la Vallée du Semnon | 50 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Loire-Atlantique
Trail de Mauves en Vert – 50 km | 53 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Loir-et-Cher
Ultrail de Beauval | 65 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Nord
La Cafougnette | 59 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Puy-de-Dôme
Grand Trail du Sancy/Mont-Dore | 60 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Pyrénées-Orientales
100 Miles Sud de France | 100 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Vienne
Tour de la vienne pédestre | 250 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Germany
Baden-Württemberg
KuSuH Trail 100 | 100 miles | September 23, 2016 | website
Bavaria
Churfranken Trailrun | 73 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
North Rhine-Westphalia
50 km von Hitdorf | 50 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Greece
Spartathlon | 245 kilometers | September 30, 2016 | website
Ireland
Galway
60k Duathlon | 60 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Ulster
Udderly Mad 63K Ultra Moo | 63 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Isle of Man
Isle of Man Mountain Ultra | 51 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Italy
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Magredi Mountain Trail 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Lombardy
Marathon Trail Lago di Como – Long Distance | 115 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Piedmont
54 km | 54 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Morenic Trail | 109 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Japan
Akita Nairiku 100km Marathon | 100 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Akita Nairiku 50km Marathon | 50 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Muraoka Ultra Marathon – 100K | 100 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Muraoka Ultra Marathon – 66K | 66 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Muraoka Ultra Marathon – 88K | 88 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Shizuoka to Yamanashi | 85 kilometers | September 23, 2016 | website
Ultra Trail Mt Fuji | 161 kilometers | September 23, 2016 | website
Kenya
Kenya Wildlife 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Latvia
70 km | 70 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Macedonia
Krali Marko Trails 90 km | 90 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Malaysia
Gunung 5 Nuang | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Morocco
UltraTrail Atlas Toubkal | 105 kilometers | September 29, 2016 | website
Nepal
Royal Penguin Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | October 06, 2016 | website
Netherlands
South Holland
Den Haag Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
Norway
Nordmarka Ultra Challenge | 82 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Philippines
65 km | 65 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Poland
120K | 120 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
260K | 260 kilometers | September 29, 2016 | website
60K | 60 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
90K | 90 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Portugal
180 km | 180 kilometers | October 07, 2016 | website
Azores Triangle Adventure | 103 kilometers | October 07, 2016 | website
South Africa
100K Ultra | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Extreme | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Legends 68km Ultra Marathon | 68 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Spain
Castile and León
Ultra de Gredos | 82 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Catalonia
Ultra Pirineu | 103 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Valencian Community
Mondúber Utrail | 78 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Ultra Trail Del Rincon 170 km | 170 kilometers | October 07, 2016 | website
Sweden
52 km | 52 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Switzerland
Valais
Humani’Trail Les Diablerets | 55 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Turkey
Kaçkar Ultra Maratonu 64K | 64 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Lycian Way Ultramarathon | 250 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
LYUM Discovery 4G | 80 kilometers | September 27, 2016 | website
LYUM Discovery 6G | 120 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
LYUM Zor1Gün | 102 kilometers | September 28, 2016 | website
Ultra Maraton 6G | 250 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
United Kingdom
Cornwall
Atlantic Coast 3-Day Challenge | 78 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Cumbria
3×3000 Ultra Trail | 80 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Gloucestershire
Cotswold Way Century | 102 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Cotswold Way Challenge Multistage Ultra | 57 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Northern Ireland
Causeway Coast Ultra Marathon | 39 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
North Yorkshire
“Round Ripon” Ultra Studley Roger | 35 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
Shropshire
The Longmynd Hike | 50 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
Surrey
Downslink Ultra | 38 miles | October 02, 2016 | website
Wales
Gower Ultra 50 | 50 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
USA
Alabama
Birmingham Stage Race – 2 Days | 36 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Birmingham Stage Race – 3 Days | 53 miles | September 23, 2016 | website
Arizona
100 mile Ultra & Relay | 100 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
80 mile Hopi Trail Relay Run | 80 miles | September 23, 2016 | website
Flagstaff 56K Endurance Run | 56 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Flagstaff Sky Race 55K | 55 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Mogollon Monster 100 | 106 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Ultra 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Arkansas
Arkansas Traveller 100 | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
California
Berkeley Trail Adventure – 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Cuyamaca 100K Endurance Run | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Headwaters Ultra – 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Pacifica Summit Run 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Super Tahoe Triple Marathon | 124 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Tahoe Trifecta | 39 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Trail Runner Ultra Race of Champions 100K | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Triple Marathon | 78 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Uber Rock 50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Colorado
100K Trail Race | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
50 Mile Trail Race | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Bobcat Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Georgia
Georgia Jewel 100 Mile Run | 100 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Georgia Jewel 35 Mile Run | 35 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Georgia Jewel 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Tortoise and the Hare 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Idaho
Foothills 50K Frenzy | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Priest Lake 50K Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Illinois
The Hennepin Hundred – 100M | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
The Hennepin Hundred – 100M Relay | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
The Hennepin Hundred – 50M | 50 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
Kansas
50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
FlatRock 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
FlatRock 50K Ultra Trail Race | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Lake Perry Rocks! 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Kentucky
Cloudsplitter 100K | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Cloudsplitter 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
Cloudsplitter 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Louisiana
Children of the Cane 100K | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Children of the Cane 100 Miler | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
Children of the Cane 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Maine
100 Mile WALKING Relay 10 Person Teams | 100 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
200 Mile Relay 12 Person Teams | 200 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
200 Mile ULTRA Relay 4 Person Teams | 200 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
200 Mile ULTRA Relay 6 Person Teams | 200 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Michigan
DWD Hell 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
DWD Hell 50M | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Hungerford Games 50-Mile Ultra Marathon | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Reebok Ragnar Michigan | 200 miles | September 30, 2016 | website
New Jersey
The Mountain Madness 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
New Mexico
Mt. Taylor 50k | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
New York
Ragnar Relay Adirondacks | 210 miles | September 23, 2016 | website
North Carolina
50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
50 Miles | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Ohio
100K | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
100 Mile | 100 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
75K | 75 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Oregon
Mountain Lakes 100 | 100 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Pennsylvania
Blues Cruise 50k Trail Ultra | 50 kilometers | October 02, 2016 | website
Trails 4 Tails Ultra Run | 40 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
South Carolina
Swamp Rabbit Urban Ultra 50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Tennessee
Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
Texas
100k | 100 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
100k | 62 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
100K | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
100k relay | 62 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
100M | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
100 miler | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
100m relay | 100 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
50k | 31 miles | October 01, 2016 | website
50k | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
50 Miler | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Utah
50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
50 Mile | 50 miles | September 24, 2016 | website
Bear 100 | 100 miles | September 23, 2016 | website
Elk 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Grand to Grand Ultra | 160 miles | September 25, 2016 | website
Vermont
50 Km Run | 50 kilometers | September 25, 2016 | website
50 Mile Run | 50 miles | September 25, 2016 | website
Virginia
50K | 50 kilometers | October 01, 2016 | website
GrindStone 100 | 101 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Washington
Bigfoot 120 Mile Endurance Run | 120 miles | October 07, 2016 | website
Cle Elum Ridge 50K | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
West Virginia
West Virginia Trilogy – Day One 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 07, 2016 | website
Wisconsin
Driftless 50k Trail Race | 50 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
Vietnam
100 km | 100 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
70 km | 70 kilometers | September 24, 2016 | website
03:10:36 CLOSE
03:12:30
ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Stitcher You can listen on iOS HERE, Android HERE or via a web player HERE
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com
Hardrock 100 2015 Race Preview #HR100
The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is an ultra marathon of 100.5 miles in length, plus 33,992 feet of climb and 33,992 feet of descent for a total elevation change of 67,984 feet, at an average elevation of over 11,000 feet. The race is held on a loop course on 4WD roads, dirt trails, and cross country in Southern Colorado’s San Juan Range, USA.
The run starts and ends in Silverton, Colorado and travels through the towns of Telluride, Ouray, and the ghost town of Sherman, crossing thirteen major passes in the 12,000′ to 13,000′ range.
Entrants must travel above 12,000 feet (3,700 m) of elevation a total of 13 times, with the highest point on the course being the 14,048′ summit of Handies Peak. The race has been held in early July of each year beginning in 1992, except for 1995 (too much snow) and 2002 (nearby forest fires). Each year’s race is run in the opposite direction of the previous year’s event (2008 was run in the clockwise direction, 2009 will be counter-clockwise). In order to complete the event, instead of crossing a finish line, runners are required to “kiss the Hardrock”, a picture of a ram’s head painted on a large block of stone mining debris.
This course offers a graduate level challenge for endurance runs. The course is designed to provide extreme challenges in altitude, steepness, and remoteness. Mountaineering, wilderness survival and wilderness navigation skills are as important in this event as your endurance.
In 2014 Kilian Jornet made the course, dare I say, look easy! He took photos, waited for Julien Chorier and then finally took off and smashed the course record. Hos victory guaranteed him a slot for 2015 and so he’s coming back to go in the opposite direction and it would be fair to say that many of us are expecting a similar display. It’s important to clarify that the weather plays a crucial part in any great Hardrock performance, so if the weather gods are playing ball I certainly expect to see Kilian on top of the podium and I also will stick my neck out and say he will set a new CR and thus will hold the CR for both directions. On a final note though in regard to the Catalan, his preparation for 2015 has been very different to 2014, yes he has been logging some serious training hours and elevation but he has less time at elevation and we saw how he struggled at Aconcagua. A recent top 10 at Chamonix VK and just this last weekend he won and set a new CR at Mount Marathon in Alaska. The stage is set!
I would be talking about Anton Krupicka now, he finally got an entry in the race that he has always wanted to do and what happens? Injury strikes resulting in a no show for Anton.
Step in Iker Karrera. Iker is a machine in tough and challenging races. His Tor des Geants performance a classic example of how he gets his head down and churns out the performance. He’s been 2nd at UTMB but I guess one of the most significant indicators comes from Diagonale des Fous (Raid de la Reunion) when Kilian waited for Iker on the trails encouraging him to the line… Kilian went on to win! Iker can win Hardrock but I think it will be because Kilian looses it if you know what I mean!
Adam Campbell was 3rd last year in 25:56 and then almost disappeared from the scene. It’s really difficult to say if Adam can repeat his 2014 performance, I personally think he can. He’s had great results before at long and gnarly races. He was 2nd at UTMF in 2012.
Mike Foote has the race strategy for Hardrock 100. Expect to see him hanging back, taking it easy and then applying pressure and slowly making his way up through the ranks. The only problem with this strategy when Kilian is in the race is that he may very well leave himself far too much work to do but 2nd or 3rd on the podium is a distinct possibility. Mike also does know the Hardrock course; he raced in 2010. When you add that to his highest ever placing at UTMB, 3rd in 2012 it’s easy to see how Mike will pressure the front of the race.
Karl Meltzer is back, he managed to sneak through the door and get a place. You can NEVER rule out Karl. His 5 victories at Hardrock provide him with a wealth of experience and as many an ultra runner has said, nobody hikes like Karl! Karl would be first to admit that if Kilian is ‘on a day’ then everyone else is running for 2nd, but you know what, Karl does have the race and experience for the podium. Don’t rule him out! Recently he won yet another 100 at Cruel Jewel keeping his long streak of winning a 100 miler every year for god knows how many years. In prep for Hardrock, Karl also spent 2 weeks on the AT with Scott Jurek.
A quick addition, I missed Troy Howard who has placed 2nd twice at Hardrock. I don’t think he’ll take the win or maybe even the podium against Kilian and Iker but you never know on 3rd place? He recently was 2nd at Wasatch (2014) and 2nd at Squaw Peak 50 (2015).
Who else is in with a shout?
Jared Campbell has tough and gnarly races for breakfast. He’s finished Barkley twice, this will be his 10th Hardrock and although he won the race in 2010 I don’t see him on the podium. But expect him to be near top 5!
Nick Coury has placed 5th and 6th at Hardrock in 2008 and 2013 respectively. Like Jared, he has the race for a top 10 but a podium.
Scott Jaime has placed 2nd and run the Hardrock almost as many times as Jared Campbell. He is a consistent performer reflected in placing 3rd on 2 occasions. Like Jared though, 5th – 10th is a likely result.
Ones to watch:
Jamil Coury, Matt Hart, Adam Hewey and Matt Hart.
On a final note, lets give a shout out to Bryon Powell from iRunFar. I think he’d be the first to admit that he won’t be contending the front of the race but since he got his slot he has trained real hard. Doing the job that we do, I know how hard it is just to get out for a run but to train too, that’s impressive!
Ladies
Darcy Piceu has top billing as a 3 time defending champion and as such, Darcy is an odds on favourite for a 4th victory. Course knowledge and experience are going to go such a long way and her recent victory (and CR) at Big Horn 50 shows that she is in great form.
However, Darcy hasn’t raced Anna Frost at Hardrock before? I personally feel that if the weather is kind and Anna has no injury issues we may well see a dominating performance that will not only provide a female victory, a course record but a potentially significant performance that will dent the men’s race. That is a bold statement I know, but when Anna is on it, she is on it! She missed Transvulcania recently with injury and of course we all know the highs and lows of the past 30 months. But Anna has been out on the course for a month or so, done the training, adapted herself and as far as I know is fit and healthy.
If Darcy and Anna are firing on all cylinders then I think the rest of the ladies are running for 3rd. The Betsies (kalmeyer and Nye) are legends at Hardrock and between them have 28 finishes. They have the experience and that counts for a great deal in a race like this.
Darla Askew however has the speed but less experience (compared to the Betsies.) In comparison to Anna though, Darla has 2 Hardrock finishes and they were both on the podium! So it would be fair to say that a 3rd is likely again but the potential to leap frog and place 2nd or 3rd is a distinct possibility.
Meghan Hicks has won MDS finished Tor des Geants and may well contend the top 5. Meghan knows how to get it done! The 2015 MDS didn’t go to plan event though she still placed well, at the time she was unsure if she would start Hardrock. I am pleased to see that Meghan is on the start list and I’ll be rooting for her.
Ones to watch:
Pam Reed, Liz Bauer, Suzanne Lewis and Missy Gosney.
******
Hardrock 100 is a small key race for a select few. However, in its history, Hardrock has always become a highly anticipated race that often plays out like a great boxing match. It is a constant frustration for me that we don’t get ALL the best ultra runners on the playing field at the same time. Pointless me saying this I know as that is one of the quirks of Hardrock.
However, can you imagine a ladies and men’s field of the depth that we see at Western States or Transvulcania arriving in Silverton?
The race starts on Friday 10th July
Race website HERE
Opening race description ©Hardrock100website
A little bit about Hardrock
In the early 1990s an ultra runner from Boulder CO, Gordon Hardman, wanted to create a 100 mile adventure run emphasizing two things: a. link the historic mining towns of Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Lake City and b. offer each participant an adventure though the spectacular San Juan Mountains while challenging them with altitude, steepness and remoteness. Gordon placed a notice in Ultrarunning magazine soliciting the help of anyone who may be interested in helping pull this together. Within a year Gordon had enlisted a cadre of local runners with deep ties to the area who believed such a run was possible and voila..the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run was created.
From the beginning, the idea of celebrating the legacy and memory of the hardrock miners was paramount as was the idea that this run should be for those who wanted an extraordinary adventure. Careful attention was paid to developing a route which incorporated the foot trails, wagon roads and burro trails that were constructed for transporting materials to mining sites and hauling ore to market. The Hardrock Hundred follows those routes laid out by those miners who made their living in crags in hopes of making their fortune mining the minerals hidden between the peaks and hidden in the valleys The Hardrock Hundred has stayed true to those ideas to this day and is dedicated to the memory of those wild and tough individuals.
Why Silverton?
The initial idea of Hardrock was to rotate the start/finish of Hardrock between each of the 4 towns. Some demonstrated more excitement about hosting Hardrock than others, chief among those was Silverton. The idea of rotating the start/finish was abandoned and Silverton became the permanent home of the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run.
Why alternate courses?
After the decision was made to keep the start/finish in Silverton, Hardrock developed the idea that run the course in alternating directions so that runners could experience all that the San Juans had to offer and wouldn’t get tired of the view! Many runners don’t consider themselves true “Hardrockers” till they have finished in both directions.
The “Hardrock” rock is a big deal-how come?
When Hardrock first started, one of the things we forgot to have is a finish line. When an early Hardrock runner asked how we would know when they were finished, run director, Dale Garland, looked around and found a rock in the ground and told all the runners to “touch” the rock to stop the clock. Touching turned to kissing and the small rock in the ground grew into the 2 ton boulder we have now. Today we have one of the most unique finishes in ultrarunning and are always amazed to see the flood of emotion and relief that kissing the Hardrock brings out in those complete their personal adventure of Hardrock. Over the years we have actually had 2 Hardrock rocks, both of which have enjoyed a very special and unique place in the lore of the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run.