As the game of path working and ultrarunning has advanced and matured, sure locations have taken on an iconic and even legendary stature amongst athletes and followers alike. Much like locations in different, extra mainstream sports activities, a handful of cities and cities like Chamonix, France; Olympic Valley, California; and Leadville, Colorado; have develop into synonymous with the game and captured the creativeness of many.
For me, maybe essentially the most distinctive of those particular locations is the small mining city of Silverton, Colorado. Located at over 9,000 ft elevation, excessive within the San Juan Mountains, the historic mining city of Silverton performs host to the annual Hardrock 100, a gathering of a number of the grittiest and hardest mountain runners on this planet.
The 2022 Hardrock 100 ladies’s podium (l-to-r): 2. Stephanie Case, 1. Courtney Dauwalter, and three. Hannah Inexperienced. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
I had the chance to go to Silverton final week. Because it was greater than two weeks earlier than the Hardrock 100, which takes place this yr on July 14, there have been a handful of runners and crews on the town however, for essentially the most half, Silverton was in its full-blown summer time vacationer mode. The narrow-gauge practice that chugs up from Durango a number of occasions a day was dropping off vacationers to discover the quaint streets and outlets of Silverton and the off-highway car rental companies that dot the realm had been booming. The tiny mountain city was busy!
As the times rely right down to the 2023 Hardrock 100, the city and the encircling areas inevitably replenish with runners. Campers flock to Cunningham Gulch, Pink Mountain Cross, and different idyllic spots to acclimate to the altitude and make their last preparations for the race. This yr, Chris Twiggs — who’s a 16-time Hardrock finisher however will not be working the race this time round — is internet hosting day by day exploratory hikes of varied sections of the course, to familiarize newcomers to the occasion whereas additionally analyzing the situations of the course. As well as, the race group is internet hosting a collection of occasions affectionately often known as “Camp Hardrock” to welcome guests into the Hardrock household. All of the whereas, the pleasant people of Silverton embrace the camaraderie and anticipation of the occasion because the power and pleasure develop main as much as race day.
In some ways, Silverton is symbolic of the character and temperament of the runners who descend in town every July. Stoic, rugged, and steadfast, Silverton represents most of the qualities of essentially the most profitable mountain runners in addition to the enduring values of the Rocky Mountain West as a complete. All of the whereas, the city and its folks present a glimpse into the previous methods of life in a very lovely and, at occasions, unforgiving a part of the nation.
Because the race attracts close to and the eyes of the path working and ultrarunning world are drawn to the San Juans, I hope we will all take a number of moments to have a good time the historical past and values of the city and the occasion and notice that, as we’re introduced collectively annually on this iconic place, there may be a lot extra that unites us than divides us. Silverton, in its personal distinctive means, stands tall as a beacon of connection and hope.
Bottoms up!
A picture from the 1908 Labor Day parade in Silverton, Colorado. Picture taken wanting east on Greene Avenue. Notice the formal apparel of Silverton’s inhabitants, and many ladies on the horse carriages and boardwalks. Picture courtesy of the San Juan County Historic Society of Silverton, Colorado.
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from the Avalanche Brewing Firm in Silverton, Colorado. Brewed in honor of the Hardrock 100, their Hardrock Strawberry Rhubarb Gosé is a tart and salty sour-style beer, which may quench even essentially the most fervent thirst after a protracted day within the mountains.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever been to Silverton? Did you find it irresistible?
- Will you be following this yr’s Hardrock 100 and, in that case, what are your predictions?
