Races

2011 Hardrock 100 Results and Roundup

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Hardrock 100While there’s still 15 hours left to go in the 2011 Hardrock 100, we thought we’d provide a brief results article that we’ll update when we get the chance. We’re also adding articles, videos, photos, and race reports (jump down to these resources) as we receive them. [Please leave a comment letting us know about any such resources you find!]

On Friday, 140 runners set off from Silverton, Colorado for a 102 mile (or so) counterclockwise jaunt through the San Juan Mountains. Only 32 hours into the race, 53 runners have already dropped. That’s Hardrock. Racing happens, but surviving doesn’t always. Among the notable drops are five-time champ Karl Meltzer (pre-race video interview) at Chapman (mile 81.6), last year’s men’s champ Jared Campbell at Telluride (mile 72.7), and Nerea Martinez (pre-race video interview) at Grouse Gulch (mile 42.1). In the end, 80 runners kissed the hardrock, which signifies their completion of the race, within the 48 hour cutoff. Two more crossed the line after the two-day time limit had passed.

Garett Graubins 2011 Hardrock 100

Garett Graubins on Engineer Pass

Then there were the survivors who excelled. Frenchman Julien Chorier (pre-race and post-race video interviews) took the lead three or four miles into the race and never relinquished it. In fact, it felt as he accelerated through the day. He relentlessly built his lead. Pre-race intelligence that Chorier was a strong, methodical mountain ultra runner provided to be true when he crossed the line in 25:17:2?. That’s the third fastest Hardrock 100 in history behind only Kyle Skaggs (23:23:30 – 2008) and Karl Meltzer (24:38:02 – 2009) and that’s with an extra two to three miles of course heading out of Telluride.

Julien Chorier Hardrock 100

Julien Chorier running into Maggie Gulch

The men’s race on the day turned out to be the battle between Dakota Jones (pre-race video interview) and Nick Clark (pre-race video interview). They ran in the top five (or so) from the early going, but by Engineer Pass (mile 49), they were sitting alone in second and third. After being separated by no more than 6 minutes and some yo-yoing, they were essentially together at Governor Basin (mile 64.5). At that point, Dakota built a lead up to 13 minutes at Telluride (miles 72.2), which Clark cut to 7 minutes leaving the KT aid station (mile 89). From there, Dakota built more than a half hour cushion en route to placing second in 27:10:0? in the race that started his quest to take up ultramarathoning.

Dakota Jones 2011 Hardrock 100

Dakota Jones running into Maggie Gulch

Clark finished in 27:43:21 just two weeks after placing third at the Western States 100. Between States and Hardrock, Clark lowered Andy Jones-Wilkins WS-HR double record by 3 hours and 22 minutes.

Nick Clark 2011 Hardrock 100

Nick Clark running out of Grouse Gulch

Unknown to most, Frenchman Dan Levy went out in the top three and never faded out of the top six (as far as we know). With a late surge, he passed Diana Finkel to finish fourth in 28:57:10. That’s quite an introduction!

Daniel Levy 2011 Hardrock 100

Daniel Levy running into Grouse Gulch

In a rematch from last year, Diana Finkel and Darcy Africa (pre-race video interview) had a day (and change) long battle for the women’s win. It was a much closer match than last year. After being in close proximity for all of the first 40 miles, they were essentially together at Grouse Gulch, before Finkel surged ahead. By Chapman Gulch (mile 81.6), Finkel had built an hour and 19 minute lead, but it wasn’t over yet. Africa closed and closed fast. With 5 miles to go, Finkel’s lead was down to 41 minutes. She held on and “lifted a weight off her shoulders” by finishing in good spirits and good health in contrast to her prolonged hospitalization after last year’s race. Finkel finished fifth overall in 29:27:39 to earn her fourth straight Hardrock 100 women’s title.

Diana Finkel 2011 Hardrock 100

Diana Finkel running into Maggie Gulch

Africa crossed the line 19 minutes and two places behind Finkel in 29:46:33 sneaking under the 30 hour mark.

Darcy Africa 2011 Hardrock 100

Darcy Africa running in Maggie Gulch

Joe Grant (pre-race video interview) was sixth overall in 29:38:27. He was further up in the field for much of the day, but got lost often and for long periods. At the finish, he estimated that he was lost half a dozen times and that it cost him a couple hours. The absence of the two largest diversions – 45 minutes in Governors Basin and 1 hour on Grant Swamp Pass – would have put Grant in fourth overall.

Joe Grant 2011 Hardrock 100

Joe Grant after finishing the 2011 Hardrock 100

Two-time Leadville 100 champ Duncan Callahan never ran from the front nor did he ever fall of the pace. He is one consistent runner. Without looking at the splits, it feels like he was within three spots of 10th all day long. He finished on the high end of that in eighth with a time of 30:57:46.

Duncan Callahan 2011 Hardrock 100

Duncan Callahan 2011 Hardrock 100

Ted Mahon (31:55) and Danny Gnojek (32:21) round out the top 10.

2011 Hardrock 100 Top 10 (iRF’s unofficial times)

  1. Julien Chorier -25:17:2?
  2. Dakota Jones – 27:10:0?
  3. Nick Clark – 27:43:21
  4. Daniel Levy – 28:57:10
  5. Diana Finkel – 29:27:39
  6. Joe Grant  – 29:38:27
  7. Darcy Africa – 29:46:33
  8. Duncan Callahan – 30:57:46
  9. Ted Mahon – 31:55
  10. Danny Gnojek – 32:21

The Hardrock website is posting live (sort of ) updates.

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Last updated July 27, 2011

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There are 50 comments

    1. Bryon Powell

      I talked to the RD and there were issues with marking in that section with multiple runners taking slightly altered routes. With a race like this, close, honest attempts are within the spirit of the rules.

      1. Jay

        Fair enough. Thanks for the follow-up info. Fact is even if he gained 15 min. it made no difference in the final outcome.

  4. Tina

    Thank you – Meaghan and Bryon for keeping us informed. You make quite a team!!

    Julien Chorier did incredible, and 2 hrs in the lead!! They all are really amazing athletes!

  6. Tracey Anderson

    It used to be if you weren't right there at the race, there was no hope of getting one smidgen of info about what was going on. It would takes weeks sometimes just to find results. All your travels and tech saavy have really filled a big void for us spectators. Thanks so much for being right in the thick of it with pics, posts and interviews in just about real time. It is REALLY appreciated!

  7. Peter

    Great coverage. Congrats to Fort Collins' Nick Clark…this guy is quietly establishing himslef as one of the top runners.

    1. Jay

      Absolutely. I think Nick has to be front runner for UROY at this point? This double 3rd plus beating the WS/HR record plus Kyle Skaggs Jemez record.

    1. Bryon Powell

      Thanks. I've thought about the Hardrock/Badwater coverage before and I've always come to the same conclusion: why in July would I leave the San Juans to go to Death Valley. I'll stay in Heaven rather than go to hell. :-)

  12. Doug and Helen Peaco

    Many thanks for great race coverage. We were following it all in Oxford UK.

    Grandson Joe had a great run for 6th.

    We really appreciate your work for keeping us all in touch.

    Keep it up

    Doug

  14. Roger Clark

    Could not agree more with above comments. Followed it blow by blow all the way from Canterbury, England. Many thanks for a great job. Obviously proud of how Nick did. Pity the Hardrock videocast did not seem to be working very well. Any chance of posting a video of the finishes? Roger Clark (Nick's Dad!)

  15. Bam

    Hi there; I'm very surprised AND happy to read that Julien won this epic race; I remember seeing the guy on the 2007 CCC course, way ahead of the other runners and thinking "this guy has a real talent". Here we go. Congrats to all the finishers, we're waiting for most of these top-class runners here in France on late August!

    Vive la France, vive the U.S.A. !

  18. Roger J

    Bryan, your double deserves a big shout out! Very fine running result at Western States followed by providing such excellent coverage of Hardrock. Thank you forgoing sleep and meals to keep us informed! It was truly a privilege for me to meet you in Auburn. Keep up the good work!

  19. mike james

    A quick note from the back of the pack! First congratulations to all the finishers and to those that didn't, I feel your pain! #144 Mike James I dropped at Ouray, The race started slow for most of us over to Maggie's with the first rain and hail starting to fall on the way over. It was a little heavy but not that bad All and all spirits were high but people were already starting to yo-yo after going out to hard. Unless your running top 5 know your limitations especially on this course as it just gets tougher as it grinds on! The hike and run down to the next aid station were enjoyable with the sun out and the views spectacular. Coming out of the aid station (Cunningham?) you get 4 miles of dirt road that everyone seems to rock not remembering the ugly climb up Handies! This year was by far the toughest ('08-'09 finish) that I have seen. Climbing up Handies although pretty, sucks as it just keeps coming. On I my way up the way up the clouds were forming and after cresting the skies opened up a little making the snow steps in the ice fields just like a slip and slide. Coming down the last stretch to out when things got really dicey with the lightning illuminating the ridge we were coming down. Grouse is where the fun seemed to go out of the faces of those around me and the slug fest started! Climbing up Engineers is long but really not that technical but throw in heavy rain, hail and 30 mph winds, and it just blew! The run down to the aid station saw the hill side like a grgot eased pole and after a few tumbles and losing the trail a couple times I eased into the aid station after tumbling through the shrubbery! Great aid station and then a long descent with several high creek crossings we entered into Ouray. Physically I was a little tired but mentally I was drained. I decided with nothing to prove that I had another fun-filled day in the San Juan mountains and bagging was the right thing for me to do. Even after sleeping for a couple hours I still had no regrets. I will be back as nothing compares to the degree of difficulty to this race and the good-hearted nature of the competitors and the race volunteers make this although the toughest the best run and one of the most enjoyable races on my calendar!

  20. Patrick

    I completely echo the above sentiments thanking Bryon and his crew for their coverage. Great work and this team definitely has this hard-to-cover sport coverage down!

    1. Bryon Powell

      A strong majority of the runners were using Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Poles. (The poles are available in the iRunFar Store.) These poles were at least partially inspired by long-time BD employee and 10-time Hardrock 100 finisher Roch Horton.

      2. footfeathers

        I snapped both my carbon z-poles, one coming down Virginius and the other coming down Grant Swamp Pass. After using them for so many hours, I felt like I lost a couple limbs!

    2. Rob Timko

      Brendan,

      Neptune Mountaineering has them you can try out (Plus it's a good excuse to go to Southern Sun!)…every time I go in I play with them but haven't picked up a set yet. They are SUPER light.

  24. Ted

    Hi Byron,

    Thank you for the great coverage of Hardrock and Western States! I have a sort of story idea: "The Shoes of Hardrock" (and "The Shoes of Western States"); what I'm curious about is what shoes were used by whom.

    Ted

  27. Heid and Dave Grant

    Bryon, Another huge Thank You from France. Your coverage was so great!

    Cheerleaders for Joe and congratulations to everyone running that course.

  29. james

    Dakota Jones is only 20, right? And he finished 2nd!! Unbelievable. Is he the youngest ever HR100 finisher? Surely he's the youngest to place top 10 right? Any stats around this? What an amazing athlete

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