DENVER, Colorado (June 10, 2003): Hal Koerner of Colorado and Ian Torrence of Utah, two of the country’s top ultra-distance runners, announced today that they will use the 2003 Labor Day weekend to launch their effort to break the current 11 day, 16 hour and 13 minute mark for running the entire length of the Colorado Trail. The CT, as it is known, covers some 468 rugged miles between Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver and Durango. The two men plan to run no less than 50 miles a day, and are determined to complete their record-breaking attempt in less than nine days.
At 4 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, Torrence and Koerner will toe the starting line in Waterton Canyon, and run virtually non-stop for the next nine days. The two, both nationally ranked ultra-distance runners, have run more than 140 ultra-marathons, races longer than the traditional 26.2-mile marathon. Between them they have won more than 50 of those races and finished in the top 10 in all but a few of them. During their record-breaking attempt, the two expect to encounter the usual vagaries of Colorado weather - from temperatures in the 90s to wild thunderstorms - and are even fully prepared for the not-unusual September blizzard. Bears, mountain lions and high mountain exposure present additional potential obstacles.
Torrence, vegetation manager for the National Park Service’s Southeast Utah Group has been running ultras for 10 years and is confident the pair will succeed. According to him, “ If you just point me in the right direction, I will, no doubt, finish the trail!” Koerner’s counting on the combination of the CT’s beautiful scenery and their camaraderie to help them realize their ultimate goal. One thing is certain; these two are out to break the record, and they are serious about it.
The spectacular Colorado Trail, inaugurated in 1974, meanders over eight mountain ranges, through seven national forest areas and six wilderness areas and across five river drainages. The trail averages more than 10,000 feet of elevation - peaking at an oxygen-deprived 13,334 feet. In 1988, Dale Garland, Dave LaFranboise, John McAward, and John Wolgamott set the original record of 17 days as they ran from Durango to Denver to “open” the then fully completed trail. Eleven years later, on the 25th anniversary of the trail, Buzz Burrell made it to the Junction Creek trailhead in Durango in 11 days, 16 hours, and 13 minutes, setting the current mark.

Koerner, 27, from Denver, and Torrence, 30, from Moab, have been fast friends since they met each other at the Catalina Island race in California in 2000. During a 42-mile Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim run last April, Koerner told Torrence of his plan to run the Colorado Trail. Torrence agreed to accompany him. In the strange, close-knit world of ultrarunning, Koerner and Torrence didn't really have much choice but to run with each other. Both are gifted athletes who leave most others in their tracks.

The first six miles of the trail went easily for them. They chatted and caught up on all the ultrarunning gossip. After the initial joy of being on the trail together and rekindling their friendship, Koerner and Torrence made mostly small talk about the vagaries and difficulties of the trail. By all accounts, the challenge of running a trail that rarely dips below 10,000 feet is a formidable task.

At one point, Torrence's knee was in pain, they were running low on water, Razor Creek was empty, the birds were squawking and Torence started to curse. Koerner spotted a Rollo candy on the ground and longed to pick it up and eat it. But he remembered that his support crew had insisted that he not eat any junk food along the trail or he faced the possibility of bonking.

There were many wet and cold nights according to Catherine Mataisz, who, along with Beth Newington, supported Koerner and Torrence during their entire run. Near Leadville there was snow on the passes and sleet and rain. But that was nothing compared to the difficulties that Koerner faced near Lake City. After Torrence dropped and Koerner was forced to go it alone, he took a wrong turn. After running several unnecessary miles out of the way and wandering around in circles all night, Koerner finally was able to rest for a few hours at the Town Square Cabins in Lake City. It was a restless night for everybody while Koerner's support crew stayed up worrying and pondering whether or not to call for a search-and-rescue team.

Koerner was disappointed that his friend had to stop but he was aware of their unique adventure. "This wouldn't have been done or even started without each other," he said.

Koerner and Torrence were not only grateful for each other but were also happy to have the help of several sponsors, including Montrail/Patagonia Ultrarunning team, Clif Bar, Go Fast Sports and GoLite.

Many others also supported, crewed and paced them. Ultrarunner Scott Hajicek, from Lakewood, ran with Koerner for 50 miles after meeting him where the Colorado Trail crosses Highway 550 at Molas Pass. Diane Koerner accompanied her son and Torrence in a support vehicle for much of the run. When Diane wasn't with her son, she worried a lot. But she also enjoyed the experience. "All of the ultrarunners that I have met are like a big, happy family," Diane said.

Koerner finished in a downpour just after 4 p.m. last Saturday. After a quick shower, he joined Torrence, his pacers, girlfriend and crew for some Colorado Trail beer at Carver's Bakery and Brewpub. Besides sunburned lips, Koerner looked pretty good.

Any running plans for Koerner in the near future? "I'm going to the Bear 100-mile race in three weeks in Idaho to defend my title," Koerner said.

Torrence, who was still nursing his injuries, was in good spirits, despite the disappointment of not being able to complete the task. "I'd like to come back sometime and finish the 100 miles or so that I missed,” he said.