A woman died today during one of the most difficult ultramarathons in the United States. Elaine Stypula, 60, passed away near Little Giant Basin west of Silverton, Colo., while running the Hardrock 100, an ultramarathon through the San Juan Mountains, on Friday morning.
According to a press release, the San Juan County Sheriff’s office and Silverton Rescue Team received a Search and Rescue call for an “unknown medical reason” in Little Giant Basin, west of Silverton at 9:02 a.m. Race organizers and the sheriff’s office confirmed the report on social media.
At 10:27 a.m., a little over an hour after receiving the call, the 60-year-old patient was pronounced dead. No cause of death was immediately confirmed. The San Juan County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as Elaine Stypula, of Michigan. Social media profiles believed to belong to the victim show Stypula was a practicing family law attorney in Farmington Hills.
“We are deeply saddened to share that a beloved member of our Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run family has passed away during this year’s event,” the Instagram profile for the Hardrock 100 wrote in a post about the incident. “We are committed to caring for runners, crews, volunteers, and all members of our community through the event’s duration and beyond.”
According to reporters on the ground, social media comments, and UltraSignup, Stypula was a highly experienced ultra-runner. She completed more than 100 ultra-distance events through a remarkable career spanning decades, including such notable events as the Marathon des Sables 250, Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc, and Badwater 135.
Sheriff’s Report
A second report from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office expanded on earlier details.
According to the press release, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and the Silverton Medical Rescue team received a search and rescue call about a CPR in progress by the Hardrock 100 Safety Sweep Team members at 9:02 a.m.
The incident took place near Gold Lake on Little Giant Trail in San Juan County Colo. The Silverton Medical Rescue team took 4×4 backcountry roads and then hiked in a quarter of a mile on the Little Giant Trail to the scene, which is a part of the Hardrock 100 course.
Once arriving at the scene, the Silverton Medical Rescue Team hiked a quarter mile up a steep, rugged, remote trail and, once there, performed resuscitation efforts on the patient. Unfortunately, the 60-year-old patient was pronounced deceased at 10:27 a.m. The San Juan County Colorado Coroner’s Office has identified the 60-year-old female as Elaine Stypula of Michigan.
Responding to the call were the San Juan County Sheriff’s department, Silverton Medical Rescue, along with a Flight for Life helicopter medical team to the search and rescue call.
“Silverton Medical Rescue is fortunate to have a team of skilled rescue professionals. We support the community, our visitors and each other even on the most difficult calls,” said Michael Burton, Incident Commander of this SAR call for Silverton Medical Rescue.
“The Hardrock 100 Endurance Race has been exceptional in organization and safety throughout the years and an excellent partner to our community,” said Tyler George, Director of the Silverton Medical Rescue.
Hardrock 100: Not the Race’s First Death
The Hardrock 100 is an ultramarathon in southwest Colorado. It covers 102 miles of rugged terrain, following four-wheel-drive roads and single-track trails at high altitudes. The race started in 1992. Today, many recognize it as one of the most challenging foot races in the Centennial State.
Stypula is not the first runner to have died during this event. In 1998, Joel Zucker collapsed after finishing the race and died from a cerebral hemorrhage.
The San Juan County Coroner has yet to release more information about Stypula’s death. It said in the press release that it would divulge more at the conclusion of the Hardrock 100 on Sunday. GearJunkie will follow up with an update when more information is available.
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