Saturday, July 10, 2010 Hardrock 1st and 2nd & Cunningham Gulch CkPt

When we went to bed late last night, my favorite to win the Hard Rock Endurance (Diana Finkel) had been in first place at every checkpoint along the way.  This morning, no runner had come in yet, but Jim heard on the ham radio that runners were crossing the Kendall ski area, so we went into town and arrived in time to see the first place winner, Jared Campbell come in at 9:18 am.  We learned that Diana had taken a fall and injured herself, but was still mobile.  She still managed to place second at 10:32 am.  Third place runner showed up at 11:35.  Runners will continue to dribble in until tomorrow morning.   

First place winner is escorted into town by sheriff

Jared and his pacer coming up to the rock

A kiss on the rock and the time is official

Giving an interview, looking no worse for the wear:

And, here comes Diana

Probably really, really glad to see that rock!

She gave a much longer interview; great personality!

Check out those knees & legs; hands were really swollen also.

And thank God for mothers. Mom is rubbing feet with baby powder after Diana finally sits down.

Charles, Jane and I went up to Cunningham Gulch this afternoon.  That's the last checkpoint before the finish line (still at least 10 miles to go over the mountaintop)

This is a waterfall at Gunningham Gulch -- see any runners?

Here's the picture blown up -- look NNWat the top of the falls for an orange shirt;  the right side (at 3:00) for a blue shirt.  There is a white shirt in front of the blue, but it's harder to spot.  This might be a good place to click on the picture to enlarge it.  (Use the back arrow to go back to the blog)

Here are some more notes taken from the Hardrock.com website:

The course is closed. That means that runners are required to follow the specified route. . . This is a test of runners against the mountains . . . Runners are expected to be largely self-supporting between the towns. . . The course will be adequately but minimally marked so the emphasis is on staying alert and using the map and course instructions.  However, you should be capable of staying on course without markers, using map, compass, and the course instructions.  The run is a salute to the toughness and perseverance of the hardrock miners who lived and worked in the area.

Can anyone tell me why I never hear about this anywhere except here in Silverton?  As I am posting this blog, only a little over 20 people are showing as having finished.  Our neighbor in the RV park attempted the run, but was not able to make it to the Engineer Check Point in time to continue (a little over 50 miles)  He is 72 !!  The man in the camp site behind us, who is sleeping in a TENT, just finished the race in approx 38 hours.  He looks to be in his 50s??