Lightning struck a racer and his pacer during the Hardrock 100 Friday, according to Competitor, but the racer, Adam Campbell, went on to finish third.
The strike occurred after the halfway point of the 100-mile race, which has an average elevation of more than 11,000 feet. The strike did not directly hit Campbell or his pacer, Aaron Heidt, but both men were knocked to the ground and felt the electricity in their heads.
After the strike, Campbell and Heidt continued running, and Campbell placed third in 25:56:46. Kilian Jornet won in a course record of 22:41:35.
As they ran up the peak, Heidt and Campbell saw lightning strike the top of the mountain. Without shelter or anywhere to hide, the two decided it would be best to continue.
Once they were atop the 14,058-foot Handies Peak, Campbell told the Calgary Sun, he heard a “huge crack and flash of light,” was knocked to the ground, and saw his headlamp broke.
“It was really scary, with lightning going on all around us. You’re in shock, like, ‘Were we really just struck by lightning in the middle of a race?’” Campbell told the Calgary Sun.
Each year, lightning kills an average of 54 people and injures many more. Learn how to stay safe when running in severe weather situations.
Austin Schempp grew up running near mountains in Loveland, Colorado, and stayed near mountains in college as a journalism student at the University of Montana in Missoula. His main passion is writing feature stories, especially when crazy, inspirational runners are involved. A huge fan of the Pacific Northwest and rainy weather, he’s always ready to run, hike, or travel to a new place.
