2024 Hardrock 100 Recap | Courtney Dauwalter's Course Record, Livestream Analysis, Race Culture

Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling join Singletrack to recap the 2024 Hardrock 100.

We talk about the amazing performances from athletes like Courtney Dauwalter and Ludovic Pommeret, Leah's experience working with Jamil Coury and team on the Mountain Outpost livestream, Brett's fan experience, Finn's time creating content around the lead runners, the history and culture of this race, top storylines and insights from the weekend, and what the future of this race might look like after such another historic year of individual and cumulative performances.

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[runsingletrack]

What are your thoughts about this year's Hardrock? What we did get? What did we miss in our conversation? Comment below!

[Sanko]

Leah did a great job both in the field and in the studio. Leah brings everything to the table: knowledge, her own experience as a premier runner, her sense of humor, her apparent ease with a microphone, her ability to converse with anyone and everyone. I loved the live stream, and not just Leah. I thought the coverage was so remarkable considering the remoteness of the course and how far spread out runners get. But what I love even more is when you three get together and talk it all over! Thank you!

[TheRockatHardrock]

The moment the chat, Andy Jones Wilkins, and Chris Worden heard about Laneys story minutes after Francois dropped was the best ultra running paradox ever. From elite to back of the pack story lines happening with minutes. Thank you Mountain Outpost!

[nikb]

The way and speed Ludo is running these semi technical downhills is crazy. Look at some of his downhill paces on his training runs the weeks before and also deep in the race. He runs sub 4 mins/km relaxed on them.

[christopherorman]

I was really impressed by Katharina Hartmuth's race. Her pre-race interviews and approach were enjoyable and provided wonderful insight. It was great seeing her finish 3rd. I look forward to watching her in future races.

[dansouth]

The coverage was wonderful, great job to everyone involved!! Leah is a great athlete and did an awesome job reporting from the various places on the course.

[manfredmueller]

Katharina did a short recap on Insta and stated, that she needed the stopping time to get things sorted. On top of that she lost eyesight due to a problem with her lenses, so that she was totally depending on her pacer. That’s quite frightening, I think, and speaks loudly of her mental fortitude. We will have to wait for her coming back, being much better acclimatized and injury-free to learn what she is capable of.

[uloutdoors]

Katharina is supported by "Sponser" which is a Swiss Brand for Sports Nutrition. They produce a large variety from Gels, over BCAA´s to recovery shakes etc...

[jozefstyrak]

"Euros" (non-US in general, really) watching livestream may explain nighttime numbers, Ludo was finishing approx. 11:30 (a.m.) central european summer time, I don't whether it is possible to lookup some numbers based on geo location. Anyway, thanks for great content!

[Mr_Fairdale]

As a Utah native, when Finn says SLC _needs_ an Erewhon, my immediate reaction is a Hank Hill esque "That boy ain't right."

[thegallopinghousewife]

I love Hardrock and thought the coverage was brilliant. It should be more rustic than WS - it fits with the culture. And it feels far more inclusive - the stories are the whole field deep as opposed to WS which felt like a show by those in the inner circle for those that are in the know. You just have to look at those getting shot down by the production team for merely wanting to know who crossed the line when at Western States. Not everyone watching knows the elites by sight!

But back to Hardrock - the course is phenomenal and I personally think it needs to remain as difficult to get into as it is. It would be nice to have more international options as qualifiers, but agree those that are suitable precursors are few and far between.

As far as viewing numbers go - don’t forget how many of us ultra running fans are based in Europe! Ludowic finished at a very civilised 10:33 am for me here in Scotland. 😁

Big ups to Leah. Really appreciated your insights throughout the day(s) and was impressed with your energy after your incredible effort at Western States.

[tommilam]

Swap pass is no joke. Unreal running it. Went up there one day before and day of 2014 HR and watch Killian do the same thing, ripping down that crazy steep side.

[caseybaumberger]

Can we talk about how impressive it is that even on a bad day, Courtney is still untouchable at the moment? She STILL broke her course record and finished 3 hours before the second place woman. Sure, she may have struggled but I feel that's all the more impressive. It's easier to win when you have a good day, a lot hard to win when you're having a terrible one. Her win deserves the same hype as Ludo's.

[amybee]

Loving this recap! I missed the moment of Ludo shaking off Francois at Grand swamp pass, any vids/time stamps?

[jenniferduncan]

I would have loved to see Zach at Ouray 100! It was a wild race this year :)

[andyhighsmith]

Ludo was able to push 300+ cal/hr 🤯 How? Because he cut out his sport drink? He was the 1/6 podium finishers that didn’t puke his way through the race. Side note but related: Hayden did something like 440 cal/hr ish according to the video on Precious hydration!! What will come of this new era of ultra fueled ultra running??!!😂