Hardrock vs Badwater

Hardrock vs Badwater

Unknown to the majority, 2 of the toughest foot races in the world are taking place this weekend. Both in USA; Badwater in Death Valley, California and the other is Hardrock in Silverton, Colorado. Personally I have not even run an ultra marathon before. But a flame has been ignited due to all the books I have read on the subject and also reports from Stan Jenson’s website www.run100s.com. The question is which is toughest? Well here is a comparison:

Hardrock Badwater
Distance 100.5 miles 135 miles

Elevation
Elevation gain 33,000 ft 13,000 ft
Elevation decent 33,000 ft 4,700 ft
Total Elevation gain/decent 66,000 ft 17, 700ft
Elevation gain/decent per mile 660ft per mile 128ft per mile
Highest Altitude 14,048 ft 8, 360 ft
Lowest Altitude 7, 870 ft (-) 280 ft

Temperature
Average max temperature 80 F 130 F
Average min temperature 50 F

Time
Time Limit 48 hours 60 hours Course Record (Men’s) 23.23.30 22. 51 mins.29 secs
(Kyle Skaggs) (Valmir Nunec)
Course Record (Womens) 29.24.30 26.51.33
(Krissy Moehl) (Jamie Donaldson)
Average Finish Time 40 hours 44 - 48 hours
Someone who has done both
- Scott Jurek 26. 08.34 24. 36.08

Percentage of finishers 2008 69.5% out of 141 91% out of 80

Terrain composition 62% trail, some cross country, jeep road All Road

Tag Line from Organisers Post - Graduate' 100 mile run The most demanding and extreme
running race offered anywhere on
the planet.


Where to Start?! Well I think the statistic of 660ft of ascent/decent per mile in Hardrock compared to 128ft of ascent/decent per mile in Badwater speaks volumes. Also the terrain in Hardrock is a lot more challenging than Badwater as Badwater is all on a road. Hardrock is therefore is a lot more dramatic with many river/stream crossings, steep slopes both up and down and even snow to contend with!

Being all road at Badwater also means that crews can access there runner every couple of miles or less! Meaning they can spray there competitor down/give them food and drink and constantly change pacers. Where as Hardrock goes into the midst of the Colorado Mountains meaning there are a lot less access points for crew.

The low point at Hardrock is almost the highest point of Badwater, so instead of the heat of Badwater, you have to deal with high altitudes for most of the race. So half of it is luck of the draw; if your body is bad at dealing with altitude, Hardrock is tougher. But if you’re bad with high temperatures Badwater is going to be tougher. But on a level playing field most things seem to swing in favour of Hardrock being more difficult.

Another issue is the time limit; The 48 hour limit for Hardrock and 40 hour average time of finishing appears to be a lot tougher than a person doing Badwater which has a time limit of 60 hours with the average runner doing it between 44-48 hours. Even though it is 35 miles longer – does the higher time limit the reason more people finish it. Personally I think so as the times suggest people finish Badwater quicker than Hardrock even though it is longer. Or could it be that Badwater has a stricter entrance policy limiting the field to only 80? Personally I don’t think so as Hardrock still requires you to have run at least 1, 100 miler in the last few years.

Speaking of times there have been quite a few people who have run Badwater in under 24 hours or there about. But Kyle Skaggs is the only person ever to have completed Hardrock in 2008 in less than 24 hours. Just to put it in perspective, he knocked nearly 3 hours off the previous record held by Scott Jurek who is no mug either being a 7 time winner and course record holder of the Western States 100 mile race. Kyle’s performance is considered in Ultra circles as one of the all time best ultra performances.

Overall for an average person who is good with heat and good at altitude, I think Hardrock is technically and physically a much harder course. Even though Badwater is longer it is all on road and it is nowhere near the elevation change of Hardrock. I think if you can run 100 miles in the heat, you can run 135 miles in the heat. If the course was on the sand beside the road I think it would be closer. Please don’t think I am understating the difficulty and achievement of finishing Badwater as it is still a mammoth achievement and is tougher than 99% races out there, this is just comparing it to Hardrock. Mind you the true test really comes from people who have been there done that and got both t-shirts and of course this is just an opinion from a wannabee ultra runner. But to me Hardrock is tougher all round. Personally, the heat puts me off doing Badwater but I tell you what if I really want one of those Hardrock t-shirts…..