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Runner, 60, dies just seven miles into brutal 102-mile mountain race in USA

Runner, 60, dies just seven miles into brutal 102-mile mountain race in USA

Daily Mirror13-07-2025
Elaine Stypula, a 60-year-old runner from Michigan, passed away just seven miles into the brutal 102.5-mile Hardrock 100 race in Colorado, United States, on Friday
A 60-year-old ultra-runner sadly died while competing in a brutal 102-mile event in the United States. Elaine Stypula died on the side of a mountain just seven miles into the Hardrock 100 race in Colorado.
The experienced runner was taking part in the event, which is known as one of the toughest in the world. It is raced over a 102.5-mile course through Colorado's San Juan Mountains, includes 33,197 feet of elevation gain and descent and has a 48-hour cut-off.

Stypula, from Michigan, was only a few hours into the race when a rescue team and a helicopter medical unit were called out. And while they delivered CPR, she passed away on Friday in the remote mountains, 2.8 miles short of the event's first aid station.

A statement read: 'On Friday July 11th, 2025, at 9:02 am, 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.
'The incident took place near Gold Lake on Little Giant Trail in San Juan County Colorado. The Silverton Medical Rescue team took 4x4 back country 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 arrived performed resuscitation efforts on the patient.

'Unfortunately, the 60-year-old patient was pronounced deceased at 10:27 am. 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.'

"I want to extend my condolences to the family, friends and community of Elaine Stypula," said Keri Metzler, San Juan County Colorado Coroner's Office
Hardrock 100 said in a statement: '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. Our hearts are with their family, friends, and fellow runners as we grieve this tremendous loss.
'We are committed to caring for runners, crews, volunteers, and all members of our community through the event's duration and beyond.'
Stypula was an experienced ultra-runner, having racked up more than 40 finishes of races of over 100 miles. She had taken part in Hardrock 100 once previously in 2018, dropping out at the 91.2-mile aid station after 45 hours and 14 minutes on the course.
She had completed legendary races, including the Marathon des Sables, which is run across sand dunes in north Africa, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, in the Alps, and Badwater 135 Mile, the ultimate test in California's Death Valley.
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Woman ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into 100-mile endurance race in Colorado
Woman ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into 100-mile endurance race in Colorado

Daily Mail​

time15-07-2025

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Woman ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into 100-mile endurance race in Colorado

A female ultra runner from Michigan collapsed and died on a high mountain trail just three hours into an 102.5-mile endurance race in the Colorado Mountains on Friday. Elaine Stypula, a 60-year-old family law attorney, was taking part in the the Hardrock 100, and passed out near Gold Lake on the Little Giant Trail at around 9am, said San Juan County Sheriff's Office. The race's safety team attempted to perform CPR on the runner, before deputies, Silverton Medical Rescue and a Flight for Life helicopter team arrived and took over resuscitation efforts. The medical rescue team hiked a quarter of a mile up a 'steep, rugged, remote trail' to reach Stypula, but she was pronounced dead at 10.27am, according to deputies. Her cause of death has not yet been ascertained. Her daughter Anna wrote on Instagram: 'I struggle to post this as I am a wreck. My beautiful, vibrant mom unexpectedly passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words.' Anna described her mom as 'her best friend.' Stypula was said to have been a 'highly experienced ultra runner' who had competed in more than 100 long distance events, according to Gear Junkie. '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 the SAR call for Silverton Medical Rescue. The intense event kicked off at 6am on Friday, where competitors are given two days to complete the course through Lake City, Ouray, Telluride and Ophir before returning to Silverton. According to the Hardrock 100 website, the total elevation change is 66,394ft, and the highest point of the course is the Handies Peak summit at 14,048ft. '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. Event organizers wrote in a statement: '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. 'Our hearts are with their family, friends, and fellow runners as we grieve this tremendous loss. 'We are committed to caring for runners, crews, volunteers, and all members of our community through the event's duration and beyond.' The Hardrock 100 organizers said more information would be available following the completion of the race on Sunday. 'I want to extend my condolences to the family, friends and community of Elaine Stypula,'said Keri Metzler of the San Juan County Coroner's Office in an updated release.

Runner, 60, dies just seven miles into brutal 102-mile mountain race in USA
Runner, 60, dies just seven miles into brutal 102-mile mountain race in USA

Daily Mirror

time13-07-2025

  • Daily Mirror

Runner, 60, dies just seven miles into brutal 102-mile mountain race in USA

Elaine Stypula, a 60-year-old runner from Michigan, passed away just seven miles into the brutal 102.5-mile Hardrock 100 race in Colorado, United States, on Friday A 60-year-old ultra-runner sadly died while competing in a brutal 102-mile event in the United States. Elaine Stypula died on the side of a mountain just seven miles into the Hardrock 100 race in Colorado. The experienced runner was taking part in the event, which is known as one of the toughest in the world. It is raced over a 102.5-mile course through Colorado's San Juan Mountains, includes 33,197 feet of elevation gain and descent and has a 48-hour cut-off. ‌ Stypula, from Michigan, was only a few hours into the race when a rescue team and a helicopter medical unit were called out. And while they delivered CPR, she passed away on Friday in the remote mountains, 2.8 miles short of the event's first aid station. ‌ A statement read: 'On Friday July 11th, 2025, at 9:02 am, 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. 'The incident took place near Gold Lake on Little Giant Trail in San Juan County Colorado. The Silverton Medical Rescue team took 4x4 back country 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 arrived performed resuscitation efforts on the patient. ‌ 'Unfortunately, the 60-year-old patient was pronounced deceased at 10:27 am. 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.' ‌ "I want to extend my condolences to the family, friends and community of Elaine Stypula," said Keri Metzler, San Juan County Colorado Coroner's Office Hardrock 100 said in a statement: '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. Our hearts are with their family, friends, and fellow runners as we grieve this tremendous loss. 'We are committed to caring for runners, crews, volunteers, and all members of our community through the event's duration and beyond.' Stypula was an experienced ultra-runner, having racked up more than 40 finishes of races of over 100 miles. She had taken part in Hardrock 100 once previously in 2018, dropping out at the 91.2-mile aid station after 45 hours and 14 minutes on the course. She had completed legendary races, including the Marathon des Sables, which is run across sand dunes in north Africa, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, in the Alps, and Badwater 135 Mile, the ultimate test in California's Death Valley.

Michigan ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into race
Michigan ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into race

Daily Mail​

time12-07-2025

  • Daily Mail​

Michigan ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into race

A Michigan ultrarunner collapsed and died on a high mountain trail just three hours into an 102.5-mile endurance race in the Colorado Mountains. Elaine Stypula, 60, passed away on Friday amid during the Hardrock 100, according to a San Juan County Sheriff's Office press release. The family law attorney passed out near Gold Lake on the Little Giant Trail at around 9am. The Hardrock 100 Safety Sweep Team members attempted CPR on the runner. Deputies, Silverton Medical Rescue and a Flight for Life helicopter team responded to the scene and took over resuscitation efforts. The medical rescue team hiked a 1/4 mile up a 'steep, rugged, remote trail' on the trail to reach the her. Stypula was pronounced dead at 10.27am, according to the release. Her cause of death remains unclear. Her daughter, Anna, wrote on Instagram: 'I struggle to post this as I am a wreck. My beautiful, vibrant mom unexpectedly passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words.' 'She was so happy to be racing with Jeremy and I here and honestly we don't know what happened,' she wrote alongside her mom's 'favorite photo.' Her daughter described her mom as 'her best friend.' Stypula was said to have been a 'highly experience ultra-runner' who had competed in more than 100 ultra-distance events, Gear Junkie reported. '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 the SAR call for Silverton Medical Rescue. The intense event kicked off at 6am on Friday, where competitors are given two days to complete the course through Lake City, Ouray, Telluride and Ophir before returning to Silverton. According to the Hardrock 100 website, the total elevation change sits at 66,394 feet. The highest point of the course being the Handies Peak summit at 14,048 feet. '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. Event organizers wrote in a statement: '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. 'Our hearts are with their family, friends, and fellow runners as we grieve this tremendous loss. 'We are committed to caring for runners, crews, volunteers, and all members of our community through the event's duration and beyond.' The Hardrock 100 organizers said more information would be available following the completion of the race on Sunday. 'I want to extend my condolences to the family, friends and community of Elaine Stypula,'said Keri Metzler of the San Juan County Coroner's Office in an updated release.

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