Jornet back for second crack at Hardrock
Can the fastest man on two feet do it again? That question, as well as many others – including whether Mother Nature will be friend or foe – will be answered with this weekend's 24th running of the Hardrock Hundred.
The fabled 100-miler, which takes off at 6 a.m. Friday morning from Silverton, will feature 152 of the world's toughest trail runners, including a handful of locals and last year's champion, Kilian Jornet.
Fresh off a record-setting win at last week's Mount Marathon race in Seward, Alaska (a veritable sprint at just under 42 minutes) the 27-year-old Spaniard will be defending his record-setting 2014 time.
Widely regarded as the world's top ultrarunner, Jornet was characteristically humble and laid back when discussing his prospects of being the first to kiss the hardrock in 2015. "Last year, I was feeling really good. This year, I will see," he told Byron Powell in Silverton on Tuesday in an interview for the website irunfar.com.
Last year, Jornet shattered the course record turning in a time of 22 hours and 41 minutes, about 40 minutes faster than the previous record set in 2008. And best of all: he made it look easy, waiting for other runners so he would "have someone to talk to."
This year, his "un"strategy is much the same: to take each step as it comes. "Every year, every race it's a different thing," he told Powell. "I think in a long race like that, it is important to see for the first half how you feel and don't try to take many risks ... it is the second half that is the most important because it's there where you start to feel tired and you need to push."
He also said he is looking forward to the course, which alternates directions each year and this year will be run counterclockwise. "It's exciting. It will be the same race but completely different," he said.
Runners with the potential to give Jornet a run for his money include 2014 Top 10 finishers Adam Campbell, Scott Jaime, Jared Campbell and Tsuyoshi Kaburaki; and 2013 Hardrock second-place finisher Troy Howard. Also of note is Jornet's Team Salomon teammate, Iker Karrera, although he is coming into the race with an injury.
On the women’s side Diana Finkel, the women’s course record-holder, will be back to defend against a strong field that includes three-time Hardrock womens champ Darcy Piceu, and another of Jornet's Salomon teammates, Anna Frost. Two local women are also considered contenders: Leah Fein, who placed fifth at the 2012 Hardrock; and Missy Gosney. Although this will be Gosney's first Hardrock, she is no stranger to ultradistance, recently running the 205-mile Tor des Géants and winning the 2014 Bighorn 100 in Wyoming.
Other local runners queuing up include first-timer Brendan Trimboli; Missy’s husband, Brett Gosney (seven Hardrock finishes); Scott Kuhn (two finishes); and Phil Wiley (three finishes). Drew Gunn (three finishes) currently sits first on the wait list.
With an average elevation of 11,000, the course pops out over 13,000 feet seven times, including a trip over 14,048-foot Handies Peak. Starting and finishing in Silverton, it passes through Ouray, Lake City and Telluride. Started in 1992, the Hardrock drew more than 1,200 applicants from over 33 countries and 46 states this year.
For a play by play of the race, go to www.hardrock100.com. For more of Powell's interview with Jornet, as well as a slew of prerace info, go to www.irunfar.com.
Powerhouse, director go separate ways
The beleaguered Powerhouse Science Center is facing continued restructuring with the departure this week of its executive director, Nana Naisbitt.
According to an email sent out Monday from the Powerhouse's Board of Directors, "Nana Naisbitt and the Powerhouse Science Center have decided to part ways."
Naisbitt, who formerly commuted to Telluride to run that town's science center, took over the reins at the Powerhouse in April. Shortly thereafter, she became aware of the center's dire financial situation. On May 9, the board decided to close the center, laying off eight staff members. In the wake of the closure, Board President Bill Luthy and some other board members also resigned.
"We are very grateful to Ms. Naisbitt for envisioning the Powerhouse reboot, while highlighting its unique historic equipment and special place in the history of energy production," read the email. "However, we ultimately felt the partnership was not working out. We wish Ms. Naisbitt the best."
Under the direction of existing board members and new President Kathleen O’Connor, the Powerhouse is shooting for a reopening date of Sept. 1. Former exhibits and programs manager Joe Lounge, who resigned in June, will fill in as interim executive director until a new one can be found, sometime after "operational sustainability" is achieved, according to the email.
"We will maintain our vision for opening up the Powerhouse to highlight all of its historical equipment, which we believe truly lends to the uniqueness of our amazing facility, as well as continuing to provide fun and engaging STEM educational opportunities," wrote the board.
In the meantime, the Powerhouse will hold a community listening session tonight, Thurs., July 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse. A second listening session is planned for Tues., July 28, at 5:30 p.m.
"We look forward to gathering community input as we move forward with plans to re-open," the board stated. "Most importantly, we would like to sincerely apologize for all of the upheaval ... Though the board most certainly failed in its oversight, we see these setbacks as an opportunity for learning, improvement and growth."
– Missy Votel