Just three weeks removed from her record-breaking run at the Western States Endurance Run, Salomon ultra-trail athlete Courtney Dauwalter set off through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains for the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run.
26 hours, 14 minutes and 8 seconds later, the renowned ultra-runner kissed the Hardrock as the 2023 champion and all-around course record holder. Dauwalter is the first athlete to win both the Hardrock 100 and Western States in the same year.
Dauwalter topped the second place finisher by one hour and 15 minutes and finished the race in fourth place overall. Last year, Dauwalter set the clockwise record at the Hardrock 100, running an astounding time of 26 hours, 44 minutes and 38 seconds. In just a year, she has shattered both of Diana Finkel’s records. Dauwalter’s back-to-back ultramarathon success has further cemented her reputation as one of the greatest ultramarathon runners.
This year’s Hardrock 100 course was run counterclockwise, featuring longer, more runnable climbs and steeper descents than the clockwise route. Though extremely difficult, the course was no match for Dauwalter’s ability as she adds another win to her extensive list of achievements. Dauwalter now holds simultaneous records at the biggest North American ultra-races: Western States 100 and both directions at Hardrock 100. She also holds records at Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB®) and Diagonale de Fous on Reunion Island.
“I didn’t feel like I had the legs today, but I gave it time and decided to push from Ouray. Today was really difficult,” says Dauwalter.
Dauwalter wore the iconic Salomon Shortney collection running short and t-shirt with the S/LAB Ultra 10 hydration vest and S/Lab Genesis trail shoes.
The Hardrock 100 is an ultramarathon held on a loop course in Southern Colorado’s San Juan Range. Runners travel 102.5 miles in length and climb 33,197 feet (10,000 meters) at an average elevation of over 11,000 feet (3,300 meters). The race switches from clockwise to counterclockwise every year and has a long-standing tradition of runners kissing the Hardrock at the finish.
Courtney Dauwalter has made history by winning and setting course records at Western States and Hardrock 100 in the same year. She also reset the overall double record with a combined time of 41 hours, 43 minutes and 42 seconds.
For more information on Courtney and the gear she used, please visit https://www.salomon.com/.
