Hardrock Hundred is a 100 miles ultra marathon in Silverton, United States. Distance: 161km. Elevation: 10,000m D+. Difficulty: legendary (Challenge Rating 68/100). DNF rate: 40%. Time limit: 48h. Surface: trail. Established 1992.
Hardrock Hundred
Silverton, Colorado, United States
"100 miles through Colorado's highest peaks. 13 passes above 12,000ft. Kiss the Hardrock to finish."
The highest and most remote 100-miler in America — 10,000m of climbing through the San Juan Mountains at extreme altitude.
The Course
A high-altitude mountain loop through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The course crosses 13 passes above 3650m (12,000ft), with the highest point at 4282m. Extremely rugged, remote terrain with significant exposure and technical sections.
mountainous
loop
14
4,282m
Runner Experience
Solid aid station network with 14 stops along the course. Standard ultra fare — food, electrolytes, first aid.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. Hardrock Hundred is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
10°C
-5° – 25°
35%
60%
Extreme mountain weather at altitude. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning are almost guaranteed. Night temperatures drop well below freezing.
Stats & Records
1992
100
41:00:00
21:34:34
Kilian Jornet (2022)
26:44:36
Courtney Dauwalter (2022)
Entry
$350
December
instant
Lore & Trivia
Hardrock 100 is the most coveted lottery entry in ultrarunning and the race that defines what it means to be a mountain runner. A 100-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, the course never drops below 2,300m and crosses 13 passes above 3,700m, including the terrifying Kroger's Canute — a knife-edge traverse at 4,100m with thousand-foot drops on both sides. The total elevation gain is 10,000m. The race was founded in 1992 by a group of Silverton miners and mountain runners who wanted to create the hardest 100-miler in America. They succeeded. The Hardrock community is fiercely protective of the race's character: small (140 starters), lottery-entry, crew-supported, and navigated by the runners themselves through terrain that would be considered a mountaineering objective in most countries. The course alternates direction each year — clockwise one year, counter-clockwise the next — so runners must know every approach from both sides. The kiss-the-rock finish at the Silverton gymnasium is one of ultrarunning's most sacred rituals: finishers kneel to kiss a block of hard rock from the San Juan mines.
- ▸ The course never drops below 2,300m (7,700ft) — the entire race is at altitude.
- ▸ Crosses 13 mountain passes above 3,700m (12,000ft).
- ▸ Total elevation gain: 10,000m — roughly equivalent to climbing Everest from sea level.
- ▸ Founded in 1992 by Silverton miners and mountain runners.
- ▸ Only 140 runners start each year — entry is by lottery with multi-year waitlists.
- ▸ Course alternates direction each year (clockwise/counter-clockwise).
- ▸ Finishers kiss a block of hard rock from the San Juan mines at the finish line.
- ▸ Lightning storms above treeline are a real and recurring danger — the race has been stopped at passes.
Hardrock isn't a running race with some mountains. It's a mountain race with some running.
Every year I go back, and every year the mountains remind me that I'm a guest here.
Notable Editions
Dauwalter Destroys the Field
Courtney Dauwalter won the women's race in 26:44, finishing 10th overall — ahead of 90% of the men. Her time would have won the men's race in most previous years. She ran the final 30 miles through snow, in the dark, alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Hardrock Hundred? +
Hardrock Hundred is a 100 miles (161km) ultra marathon with 10,000m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.
How hard is Hardrock Hundred? +
Hardrock Hundred is rated legendary with a Challenge Rating of 68/100 (Demanding). The DNF rate is 40%. Runners have 48 hours to finish.
How do I enter Hardrock Hundred? +
Must complete a qualifying 100-mile race. Lottery weighted by years of application.. Entry is by lottery. Entry costs $350. with a maximum of 145 starters.
What is the weather like at Hardrock Hundred? +
Average temperature is 10°C (range -5°C to 25°C) with 35% humidity and a 60% chance of rain. Extreme mountain weather at altitude. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning are almost guaranteed. Night temperatures drop well below freezing.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Hardrock Hundred? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed after 58km. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Hardrock Hundred? +
The men's course record is 21:34:34 set by Kilian Jornet in 2022. The women's course record is 26:44:36 set by Courtney Dauwalter in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Hardrock Hundred? +
The average finish time is 41:00:00. About 100 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 40%.
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