Koerner leaves Silverton a "happy" man...
Hal Koerner
Thanks to Ultra 168 for the heads-up on this excellent article on the unfolding drama which happened over in Colorado over the last 36 hours or so. Writing for the Durango Herald, Dale Strode obtains reaction from most of the protagonists of the 2012 Hardrock 100…
His succinct writing also delves in to winner Hal Koerner’s recall on how the 100 miler panned out, with the 35-year old citing the win as “one of the happiest moments of my racing career”. It also unearths how Dakota Jones struggled over the last miles, how, in his own words, he “fell apart”.
Hal Koerner - Hardrock 100 winner 2012
Darcy Africa took the women’s crown, at her third attempt. The Pearl Izumi runner took advantage of the fact that four-time winner Diana Finkel had to withdraw from the race at Maggie Gulch, around mile 87.
Speaking at the finish-line Africa admitted that her win “had not set in yet”, though we are sure that when it does the 37-year old Boulder resident will place this win amongst her greatest running achievements.
Darcy Africa
Results from the 2012 race are developing at the Hardrock 100 site here and we also love these stats via the ©Durango Herald
A look at this year’s Hardrock 100, the 19th running of Silverton’s signature event (results provided by race director Dale Garland):
Distance: 102.5 miles.
Total Climb and Descent: 32,992 feet of climb and 32,992 feet of descent.
Average Elevation: 11,016 feet above sea level.
Low Point: Ouray, 7,680 feet above sea level.
High Point: Handies Peak, 14,048 feet above sea level.
Amount of Course on Paved Surface: .17 miles.
Number entered: 140 – 122 male, 18 female.
Oldest Entrant: Hans Dieter Weisshaar, 72.
Youngest Entrant: Dakota Jones, 21.
Average Age of Entrant: 44 years (10 runners over 60).
Number of States: 25.
Foreign Countries Represented: Canada, France, Japan and Singapore.
Fastest Times: Kyle Skaggs, 23:23:30 (2008); Diana Finkel, 27:18:24 (2009).
One surprising fact is that only 4 non-US countries were represented at this year’s Hardrock 100. After what seemed a great event once again in 2012, with some brilliant coverage from the media, spearheaded by iRunFar, were sure that this fact will change in year’s to come.
