Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run
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The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run or the Hardrock is an ultramarathon 101.5 miles (163.35 kilometers) in length, with 33,000 feet of climb at an average elevation of over 11,000 feet. The race is held on a loop course on 4WD roads and trails in Southern Colorado's San Juan Range. The run starts and ends in Silverton, Colorado and travels through the towns of Telluride, Ouray, and the ghost town of Sherman, crossing ten major passes in the 12,000' to 13,000' range and traversing the summit of 14,048' 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 the running field is limited to 125 qualifying candidates selected in early February by the race's Run Committee.
The cut-off time for finishing the race is 48 hours. Current course records are held by Karl Meltzer (26:35:39) and Betsy Kalmeyer (29:58:00), both set in 2001.
The Hardrock 100 is the centerpiece of the "Rocky Mountain Slam," which a runner completes if s/he finishes Hardrock plus three of four other races in the Rocky Mountains: Leadville Trail 100, the Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Bighorn 100, or the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run. The award is presented at and hosted by the Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run, as this is the final run in the series.