SILVERTON – Kilian Jornet has put himself in perfect position to repeat as Champion of the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run in Silverton.
The 27-year-old Spaniard ran strong with Canada’s Adam Campbell through the first several aid stations, and they were a good 5 minutes ahead of the second group of Iker Karrera and Mike Foote.
But after summiting 14,048-foot Handies Peak, Jornet began to break away from the pack. He took a lead of 9 minutes, 7 seconds on Campbell by Grouse Gulch at 42.1 miles. After waiting 5 minutes to see if Campbell would arrive, Jornet continued his journey with no competitors in sight.
When he took off, he was on pace for the counterclockwise course record. If he breaks the former record, it would give him the course record in both directions.
At 8:45 p.m. Friday, Jornet was all alone in first place at the Kroger’s Canteen aid station at 67.7 miles. He made it there 14 hours, 31 minutes after the 6 a.m. start in Silverton.
He took a small swig of alcohol while his pacer Rickey Gates took two shots of tequila, and Jornet continued on his journey toward Telluride.
Through 64.5 miles, Mike Foote of Montana was in second place, 47 minutes behind the time Jornet posted to the same check point. Karrera was third and 73 minutes behind Jornet.
Anna Frost of New Zealand was the first-place woman through the Ouray aid station. She arrived there in 13 hours, 15 minutes. Three-time defending women’s champion Darcy Piceu was in second, and Darla Askew was in third place.
Jornet is on pace to cross the finish line in front of the Silverton School well before 6 a.m. Saturday and is in a strong position to finish before 5 a.m.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
