Michigan ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into race
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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