An Epic 101.7 Mile Journey

Home Sweet Home, Kelly's campsite for the past week

Pictures from last year's race

In the wee hours of Friday morning, my brother will begin an epic 101.7 mile journey as part of the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run in the San Juan Mountains of Silverton, Colorado.

Now I know all this ultra running business is crazy to begin with, and certainly my brother has completed his fair share, but this race sounds like utter insanity. According to an article, aptly titled "It's Gonna Suck To Be You," featured in the July 2001 issue of Outside magazine, runners will spend the “day and at least one sleepless night in the deepest back country, almost constantly above 10,000 feet, climbing, sliding, wading, hiking, staggering, limping, and occasionally running. (Unlike other 100-mile racers, the fastest and most fit of the Hardrockers will jog no more than 60 percent of the course.) They will face five mountain passes of at least 13,000 feet and one 14,000-foot peak. Those who complete the loop will climb and descend 66,000 feet (more than would be involved in climbing and descending Mount Everest from sea level, as the race organizers like to point out). A large number of racers will vomit at least once. One or two might turn white and pass out. The slower runners will almost certainly hallucinate.”

Hmm…sounds like fun. You can count me OUT. But good luck to Kelly. He’s having a great time in Silverton so far, scoping out the course, adjusting to altitude, and meeting fellow competitors. It should be a crazy adventure...

You can monitor Kelly’s live progress on Friday and Saturday here.