Two years without the
The famed 100.5-mile run through the San Juan Mountains was canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That added to the 2019 cancellation caused by avalanche debris and high-water conditions throughout the course.
This year, run director Dale Garland teamed with PWR Lab – run training software company that can keep track of data from GPS watches – to put on a virtual version of the Hardrock 100.
Anyone can enter one of three different challenges. The registration fee is $30, and 100% of net proceeds will be donated to Lake City, Ouray, Silverton and Telluride.
“A pillar of Hardrock has always been community, and there is no doubt that the Hardrock community has been significantly impacted this year as a result of COVID-19,” Garland said. “Southern Colorado towns like Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Lake City are struggling with lack of tourism. The 2020 Hardrock Virtual Challenge brings the magic of Hardrock to thousands of ultrarunners while simultaneously supporting the beloved towns of Hardrock to help them in their economic recovery efforts.”
The Hardrock 100 brings in 145 runners from across the world each year. Along with the runners come hundreds of crew members, race volunteers and global media. In 2019, it was estimated the economic impact for Silverton, which serves as the start and finish for the event, was roughly $1 million. Garland hopes the virtual challenge can help make up for some of those losses.
The virtual challenge won’t require as hardcore of an effort as the real Hardrock, but there is still a serious challenge to be had before it ends Aug. 23.
There is a true virtual Hardrock 100 in which runners must log 100 miles with at least 33,000 feet of elevation gain. However, the run does not have to be completed in one effort, as miles can be accumulated throughout the month.
Another option is “The Flat as a Pancake Hardrock 100.” In that challenge, runners must complete 100 miles, but there is no elevation gain requirement to help those who do not have mountains or hills to run in their communities.
Finally, there is a “Half a Hardrock” in which runners accumulate 56.6 miles with no elevation requirement. That distance is symbolic of the distance from the course route from Silverton to Ouray.
Results of each run can be uploaded to PWR Lab from a phone or GPS watch. Manual entry of results also is permitted based on an honor system.
PWR Labs has a live leaderboard for results to be tracked. As of Tuesday night, roughly 40 runners had signed up for the various challenges. Garland hopes to see that number climb into the thousands.
Those who complete the challenges will receive a virtual swag bag with coupons and discounts from Hardrock’s corporate partners. A virtual Hardrock decal will serve as extra incentive to finish the full virtual Hardrock.
“We want to give a huge shout out to PWR Lab for all their work in bringing the Hardrock community together this year with this one-of-a-kind event,” Garland said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
