The Legendary Return of Courtney Dauwalter (2024 Hardrock 100 Highlights)

The Hardrock 100 is an ultramarathon in the rugged, remote, and high altitude San Juan Mountain range in southwestern Colorado. The 102.5 mile high-altitude course with over 66,000 feet of climbing and descending and an average elevation of 11,000 feet forms a loop starting and finishing in Silverton and reversing direction each year. This year, the course ran clockwise to showcase the historic nearby mountain towns of Telluride, then Ouray, and Lake City before returning home.

One of the highlights of this year's race was the return of Courtney Dauwalter, arguably greatest ultrarunner of all-time. Her massive success in the sport has included Hardrock - she's a two-time winner here with course records in both directions. To many, it's usually a foregone conclusion that any race, including Hardrock is hers to lose. But also, it was a fair question to wonder why she was returning after her 2022 and 2023 wins. In pre-race interviews this time around, she talked up the novelty of the course, the fact that it's so hard to nail, and her considerable struggles at various points in the two years she was victorious.

So, she returned to Hardrock in 2024 with goals to be more efficient and recoup some of the time she lost out there in prior years. For those that have followed her career to date, she's often said she hopes she can never say she had a perfect race somewhere - that there is always another level to be gained, something more to give. Knowing one of her superpowers to be her mental game many figured, maybe she would explore and find that new level on the day.

Watch our highlight reel to see how the day went, understand what elite ultramarathon strategy and mindset looks like, and perhaps, take some inspiration for your own next big adventure!

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