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

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

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.