Kilian Jornet, who hails from the Catalonia region of Spain, was the favorite heading into the race based on his numerous ultra-distance wins and trail and mountain peak records. Photo: Michael Proulx
The race started at 7 a.m. in Breckenridge, where the temperature was a balmy 28 degrees. Photo: Michael Proulx
Among the top American runners in the field were Michael Wardian and Rob Krar. Photo: Michael Proulx
More than 125 runners started the UROC 100K in Breckenridge. Photo: Michael Proulx
The 62-mile course sent runners over singletrack trails, wide fire roads and paved roads. Photo: Michael Proulx
After passing through Copper Mountain ski area, runners ran on paved bike paths and roads up and over Vail Pass. Sage Canaday was the leader into the Black Lakes aid station at mile 32. Photo: Brian Metzler
Cameron Clayton was cruising at the mile 32 aid station near the top of Vail Pass. Photo: Brian Metzler
Rickey Gates gets help from Anton Krupicka at the Black Lakes aid station near mile 32. Photo Brian Metzler
Veteran ultrarunning champion Geoff Roes, a member of the UROC Athlete Advisory Council, heated up soup for runners while manning the aid station near mile 32. Photo: Brian Metzler
French runner Martin Gaffuri gets assistance from Roberto Mandje at the aid station near mile 32. Photo: Brian Metzler
After a big climb up and over Vail ski resort, Colorado’s Dakota Jones owned a 90-second lead over Rob Krar in the town of Minturn. But 11 miles and another climb up and down Vail Mountain was next. Photo Brian Metzler
Rob Krar caught Dakota Jones at the top of Vail Mountain and then put 3 minutes on him in the final 5 miles to win in 9 hours, 29 minutes. Photo: Brian Metzler
Dakota Jones pushed hard the final 5 miles down the front side of Vail ski resort to finish second in 9:32:26. Photo: Brian Metzler
Rob Krar celebrates his UROC victory, which included a shiny belt buckle and a $5,000 first prize. Photo: Brian Metzler
Cameron Clayton turned heads with the best ultra performance of his career, finishing third in 10:06:24. Photo: Brian Metzler
Pre-race favorite Kilian Jornet of Spain admitted he didn’t have a great day. But he held on for fourth place 10:19:16, which helped him nail down the 2013 Skyrunner World Series Ultra Championship title. Photo: Brian Metzler
With sunlight fleeting and temperatures dropping into the low 30s, Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg emerged as the women’s winner in 12:06:33. Photo: Brian Metzler
Stephanie Howe, of Bend, Oregon, turned in a strong effort to place second in 12:29:26. Photo: Brian Metzler
Rob Krar holds the UROC trophy and celebratory $5,000 check. Photo: Brian Metzler
Race directors Russell Gill (far left) and Francesca Conte (far right) pose with the top five finishers: (from left to right) Rob Krar, Dakota Jones, Cameron Clayton, Kilian Jornet, Ryan Ghelfi. Photo: Brian Metzler
Stephanie Howe was all smiles (but a bit chilly) after getting her second-place medal late on Saturday night. Photo: Brian Metzler
Based on their places at UROC, Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg and Spain’s Kilian Jornet were crowed champions of the 2013 Skyrunner World Series Ultra Series. Photo: Brian Metzler
About 150 runners from around the U.S. and around the world started the third annual Ultra Race of Champions on Sept. 28 amid sub-freezing temperatures in Breckenridge, Colo. The 100K race (62 miles) sent runners from Breckenridge to Frisco to Copper Mountain to Vail Pass to the top of Vail Mountain to Minturn, then back to the top of Vail Mountain and finally to the finish line at the base Vail ski area. The conditions were almost perfect: cool, sunny and clear all day long amid early fall foliage and snow-capped peaks. Rob Krar of Flagstaff, Ariz., won the race in 9 hours, 29 minutes, while Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg won the women’s race in 12:06:33. The race also doubled as the Skyrunner World Series Ultra Series Championships, which were won by Catalan runner Kilian Jornet and Forsberg. Non-championship 50K and half marathon races were also part of the events. For more, go to ultraroc.com.
