How to Watch the 2025 Hardrock 100: Live Tracker, Splits & Fan Guide
- Marin Wilder
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
So you’re pulling up the GPS tracker to watch the Hardrock 100, watching dots move slowly through the San Juans waiting for the latest aid station splits. Here’s how to actually understand what’s happening–where the big moves happen, what splits to watch closely, and how to read between the lines like a PaceSetR.
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Hardrock 100 Mile by Mile Guide:
Silverton to Mile 5
Up We Go
What’s Happening: Runners leave the main drag of Silverton (9,308′) and immediately climb 3,000+ feet to Little Giant Pass (~13,000′) in the first 5 miles. The switchbacks are steep, exposed, and relentless. No easing in.
PaceSetR Tip: The front pack might stay tight here, but it’s not uncommon for someone to go out too hot. If you see your runner gaining ground fast, they could be redlining. Altitude sickness can hit early. In 2017, Caroline Chaverot led the entire race just half a mile in.
Mile 5–15 (Cunningham to Maggie Gulch)
Down Fast, Up Harder
What’s Happening: After cresting Little Giant, runners bomb a brutal 2,700′ descent into Cunningham Aid (mile 9.3), the first crew point. Then it’s straight back up to 12,000′ toward Maggie Gulch (mile 15.4), a no-crew aid in remote alpine.
PaceSetR Tip: This is where splits start separating. Look for signs of pacing discipline, runners flying into Cunningham could be paying for it by Maggie. Watch for altitude issues in this climb. This is also where some big names have lost time early by trying to race the descent too hard.
Mile 15–25 (Pole Creek Traverse)
High & Lonely
What’s Happening: Open tundra, marshy trails, and total isolation. This section stays high (12,000’+) and rolls gently toward Pole Creek Aid (~mile 20.4). It’s wet, exposed, and deceptively tiring.
PaceSetR Tip: There’s no crew here and nowhere to bail - just wildflowers, bogs, and the sound of your own breathing. If your runner slowed down here, it’s often altitude-related or a wise pacing reset. But if they’re still crushing splits, keep an eye - they might be setting up for a move.
Mile 25–35 (Sherman to Handies Peak)
Biggest Climb. Big Shakeups.
What’s Happening: Sherman Aid (mile 29.8) is a full reset point: drop bags, hot food, crew access. After that? A grueling 5,000′ climb to the 14,048′ summit of Handies, the highest point on course.
PaceSetR Tip: This is one of the most decisive sections of the entire race. The Sherman-to-Burrows Park split is often slowest of the day, and rightly so. If someone storms Handies and arrives at Burrows first, they’ve probably got serious legs. If splits blow out here, it’s usually fatigue, not strategy.
Mile 35–45 (Handies to Animas Forks)
Come Down, Feel Everything
What’s Happening: After Handies, runners descend through American Basin and make their way along jeep roads to the ghost town of Animas Forks (mile 44.6). The cumulative toll begins to show.
PaceSetR Tip: This is where mental fatigue kicks in. One runner called it the “darkest mental mile” of the race, and it’s still not halfway. Expect longer stops at Animas Forks. Leaders might re-gear or change socks. Slowing dots here often means damage control.
Mile 45–55 (Engineer Pass to Ouray)
Cliffs and Town Lights
What’s Happening: From Animas, runners climb to Engineer Pass, then descend down the harrowing Bear Creek Trail. Narrow ledges, sheer drops, & tunnel crossings into Ouray (mile 58.6), the race’s lowest point.
PaceSetR Tip: Ouray is a major moment. It’s civilization. Food. Crew. Pacers. Also: the last easy exit. Many runners drop here if they’re not ready for what’s next. Bear Creek descent is slow and scary, don’t panic if your dot barely moves. They’re likely being cautious (smartly so).
Mile 55–65 (Ouray to Governor Basin)
The Endless Climb
What’s Happening: The Camp Bird climb is 4,000′ up a mining road, then a final hike to Governor Basin (~mile 66). It’s night for most. Steep. Sleep-deprived. Quiet.
PaceSetR Tip: This is where you start seeing real splits open. If your runner is moving well here, they’re dangerous. If they’re fading, they might lose hours. In 2017, this climb broke apart a tight women’s race. Keep an eye on commentary, this is where the strong gap the rest.
Mile 65–75 (Kroger’s Canteen to Telluride)
The Wildest Aid Station, Then A Town Parade
What’s Happening: Kroger’s Canteen (mile ~69.8) sits on a knife-edge at Virginius Pass (13,100′). It’s ropes, snow, and pierogis. Then comes a 4,500′ descent into Telluride (mile 74.7) for cheering fans and warm food.
PaceSetR Tip: Kroger’s often has no GPS signal. Don’t worry if your dot disappears, watch for it to reappear in Telluride. In 2017, Caroline Chaverot lost over an hour with a wrong turn just after this pass. Telluride is cozy, but don’t get comfortable, two nasty climbs still remain.
Mile 75–85 (Oscar’s to Chapman)
Switchbacks and Survival
What’s Happening: Oscar’s Pass is another 4,000′ climb, this time under a hot Day 2 sun. Runners crest Oscar’s, then descend to Chapman Gulch (mile 84.4). Aid access is limited. Suffering is not.
PaceSetR Tip: This is where zombie-mode starts. Feet destroyed. Minds fuzzy. Some hallucinate. Watch pacing splits closely, if gaps are closing here, someone is surging. If a lead widens here, it usually holds.
Mile 85–95 (Grant-Swamp Pass to KT)
The Scree Gauntlet
What’s Happening: Grant-Swamp is steep, loose, and demoralizing. Runners claw their way up, slide back down, then hit KT (mile 91), a quiet riverside aid where everything hurts and 10 miles still remain.
PaceSetR Tip: The KT-to-Putnam section is final move territory. In 2022, Jornet and D’Haene were neck-and-neck here, Kilian surged just before the end. If two dots are close here, we might see history repeat.
Mile 95–102.5 (Putnam to Silverton)
Descent, Dirt Roads, and the Rock
What’s Happening: From Putnam (mile 96.6), the course gently drops back into Silverton. The final miles feel eternal. Runners often see town before they hear it, then adrenaline does the rest.
PaceSetR Tip: The finish isn’t a banner, it’s a rock. Runners must kiss the “Hardrock” to stop the clock. Some finish in daylight, others deep into a second night. Every one of them earns that kiss.
