[Author’s Note: This is the first article in an 11-part series celebrating legendary aid stations. You can read about the series here. Also, for this article, a special thank you goes out to Telluride, Colorado’s Sarah Lavender Smith, whose article “How Hardrock’s Kroger’s Canteen Got Its Start” provided valuable historic background for this article.]
Each July, deep in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado, a group of six or seven intrepid volunteers climb 5,000 feet from the valley floor on the outskirts of Telluride, to a small notch in the mountains, sitting at 13,100 feet. This notch, Virginius Pass, for a few days, becomes home to the Kroger’s Canteen Aid Station for the Hardrock 100. Named after Chuck Kroger, Telluride local, six-time Hardrock finisher, and the first captain of the aid station, Kroger’s Canteen provides essential support to runners traversing the rugged section between the towns of Telluride and Ouray.

The rope-assisted approach or deproach, depending on which direction the event is traveling, to Kroger’s Canteen’s spectacular location. Photo courtesy of Blake Wood.
In years when the race is run in the clockwise direction, the majority of the runners arrive at Kroger’s in daylight, as it marks the 32.7-mile mark of the course. In that clockwise direction, after filling up on food and fluids, runners usually run/slide down a massive snowfield immediately upon leaving the aid station, on their way to Governor’s Basin, and eventually Ouray. In the counterclockwise direction, access to the aid station is much more difficult as runners typically have to ascend that snowfield, usually with the help of a fixed rope, before arriving at the aid station at all hours of the day or night, marking the 69.8-mile point of the course.
For years the aid station was staffed exclusively by Hardrock 100 finishers, and while this requirement has been loosened slightly in recent years, volunteering at Kroger’s is no joke, as it requires the ability to hike up and down a massive climb, often several times, loaded down with gear and supplies — and then spending up a lot of time on a tiny slab of rock over 13,000 feet above sea level. Most years, the aid station staff at Kroger’s is a who’s who of Hardrock 100 legends.
I asked longtime Hardrock 100 race director Dale Garland what makes Kroger’s so unique and special, and he had this to say, “Especially in the counterclockwise direction, Kroger’s stands like a lighthouse to welcome the runners as they navigate one of the toughest sections of the course. Additionally, the unique history and the tradition of the aid station, from Chuck Kroger to [former aid station captain] Roch Horton, make it stand out in the world of trail running aid stations.”
Dale also noted what he felt were the two biggest challenges the aid station faces. “One, if there is bad weather on the mountain, and there often is, there is very little, if any, place to hide. And two, in years when there is a lot of snow, it is a daunting challenge to get all the gear and supplies up to such a remote and harsh location.”
While the selection of food and drinks available is limited by the location, the staff at the aid station have traditionally served a variety of both cold and hot foods, as well as the customary tequila shot, which is offered to each runner as they pass through the aid station.
For example, in my case, on the two occasions I ran the Hardrock 100 — once clockwise and once counterclockwise — I enjoyed fresh grilled cheese, hot vegetable soup, grilled dumplings, and warm tater tots to go along with the requisite tequila. Today, when I look back at my experience at the run, those two visits to Kroger’s stand out as highlights of the entire event for me, and provided memories that will last a lifetime.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Telluride Brewing Company in Telluride, Colorado. Under Where? dry hopped pilsner is a unique take on a classic variety. Crisp and clean with just the right amount of hops, Under Where? Is a fantastic pilsner that pairs well with just about anything, and stands alone nicely too.
Call for Comments
- Have you been to Kroger’s Canteen?
- Tell us about your experience!