Hardrock 100 2026: Pommeret and Dauwalter Rewrite the Record Books Again
Ludovic Pommeret for Coros
There are few races in trail running that carry the weight of Hardrock 100.
The 102-mile loop through Colorado's San Juan Mountains is one of the sport's most demanding tests, with more than 33,000 feet (10,000 metres) of climbing, high-altitude passes above 14,000 feet and terrain that rewards experience as much as fitness.
This year's edition added another chapter to the race's history.
Ludovic Pommeret defended his title for a third consecutive year, while Courtney Dauwalter claimed her fourth Hardrock victory. Both left Silverton with new clockwise course records.
Pommeret extends his Hardrock reign
At 50 years old, Ludovic Pommeret continues to redefine longevity in ultrarunning.
The Frenchman established himself at the front early and never relinquished control, crossing the finish line in 21:11:36. The performance lowered his own clockwise course record by more than 20 minutes and secured an unprecedented third straight Hardrock victory.
Behind him, Jimmy Elam produced the best Hardrock performance of his career to finish second in 23:48:56. Shortly after the finish, Elam suggested the race could mark the end of his competitive career, saying, "I think it's time to retire, there's no other races I need to do."
David Ayala completed the podium in 24:28:17, rounding out one of the strongest men's fields in recent editions.
Men's podium
🥇 Ludovic Pommeret (France) – 21:11:36 (New clockwise course record)
🥈 Jimmy Elam (USA) – 23:48:56
🥉 David Ayala (USA) – 24:28:17
Dauwalter sets another benchmark at Hardrock
If Ludovic Pommeret produced the performance of the men's race, Courtney Dauwalter did exactly what many expected—she won Hardrock once again.
The American crossed the finish line in 26:03:10, lowering her own clockwise course record by more than eight minutes despite battling stomach issues for much of the race. It marked her fourth Hardrock 100 victory, further cementing her place as one of the greatest mountain ultrarunners of all time.
As impressive as the victory was, the depth of the women's race also stood out.
Colorado's Careth Arnold produced the biggest result of her career to finish second in 30:32:31, while Tara Dower completed the podium in 33:02:04, adding another major result to what has already been a remarkable 2026 season after her Western States top-three finish just two weeks earlier.
Courtney Dauwalter for UTMB
Women's podium
🥇 Courtney Dauwalter (USA) – 26:03:10 (New clockwise course record)
🥈 Careth Arnold (USA) – 30:32:31
🥉 Tara Dower (USA) – 33:02:04
Two records, one message
Hardrock has never been a race where records come easily.
Altitude, technical terrain and rapidly changing mountain weather usually make survival the priority long before finishing times become relevant.
That makes this year's performances even more significant.
Pommeret lowered a record many believed would stand for years, while Dauwalter improved her own benchmark despite describing the race as one of constant physical struggles.
Hardrock 2026 reinforced two remarkable stories.
Ludovic Pommeret continues to redefine what's possible in the men's race, becoming the first runner to win three consecutive editions while lowering his own course record.
Courtney Dauwalter, meanwhile, added another chapter to an already extraordinary Hardrock legacy with a fourth victory and another course record.
Together, they delivered one of the fastest—and most memorable—editions in the race's history.
