On July 8 at 6 a.m., 125 runners left Silverton to embark on the 100.4 mile Hardrock 100 Endurance Run through the steep and rugged San Juan Mountains. The grueling course climbed a total of 32,992 feet at an average elevation of 11,023 feet above sea level. The race course included 13 mountain passes, several treacherous creek and river crossings and topped out at 14,048-foot Handies Peak. This year the course was run counter-clockwise, which by some is regarded as the more difficult direction. The deep snows left by last winter added yet another element of difficulty. Karl Meltzer won the men's race in 28:29:15, while Sue Johnston took home the womens honors with a time of 32:07:41. Fifty four runners were unable to make the courses 48-hour cut-off time.