Paul Hopwood and the Hardrock 100

Aloha Athletes,

Paul Hopwood of Maui was the one lucky resident of Hawaii to get into the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run. The photo at the left shows Paul at the top of Haleakala for an early morning training run.

This race takes place in mountains of southwestern Colorado with the start/finish in Silverton. The race starts Friday, July 11th at 6:00 a.m. Mountain Time. Runners have 48 hours to finish the run.

Click here for an article from the Telluride Watch that describes the race, including how this year’s race was almost canceled due to heavy snow pack and avalanche damage in the winter.

As many of you know, Paul is very good runner. In fact, he won the 2008 H.U.R.T. 100 and was the second male finisher in 2007. In 2007 Paul ran almost the entire race with women’s winner, Krissy Moehl. Krissy went on to win the women’s race at Hardrock in 2007 setting a new course record and finishing 3rd overall.

From my perspective, Hardrock is the ultimate 100-mile endurance run. It offers unparalleled scenery, high mountain passes, and is a true back-country course that traverses and circles through some of the most spectacular country in the lower 48 states. Check out these photos by John Cappis.

Unfortunately getting into this race like many others is getting very challenging due to the increasing popularity of trail running and endurance events.

You can follow Paul’s progress starting Friday by clicking here.

Good luck Paul. We wish you well!!