Smartwool Partners with the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run as official Clothing and Sock of Legendary Race

SILVERTON, Colo. (July 8, 2015) — This Friday racers will toe the line for the start of the Hard Rock Hundred Endurance Run. And for the first time in the history of the event, Smartwool will be there as lead clothing and sock partner while also supporting Smartwool athlete, Darcy Piceu, as she aims for a record fourth-consecutive victory.

“Darcy is a legend among women, and men, and is a key piece of our athlete team and community of Fan Field Testers,” says SmartWool Athlete Manager, Alex Pashley. “Providing our fullest support to an event so important to Darcy and the entire SmartWool run family is an opportunity we welcomed with enthusiasm. Race organizer Dave Garland and his team have built a truly special event—one that pushes the absolute limit of possibility for the mind and body—and we’re absolutely thrilled by the chance to become involved as the official sock and apparel supplier.” 

The partnership, says Piceu, is one borne of a deep commitment to the mountain running community: “The partnership between SmartWool and Hardrock is such a wonderful fit because they are two organizations with a lot of integrity and a focus on community. My relationship with SmartWool, and the support I receive through their products and athlete network, is immensely important not only on race day but also on every training day.” 

The 2015 Hardrock Hundred starts July 10 in Silverton, Colorado, and challenges participants with 67,984 vertical feet of elevation change over 100.5 miles. The loop course starts and finishes in Silverton, deep in the San Juan Mountains, topping out above 12,000 feet in elevation 13 times and traveling through the towns of Telluride and Ouray. Piceu’s fastest time to date among her three consecutive victories is 29 hours 9 minutes.

With best-in-class moisture management to help keep the athlete’s skin dry and comfortable, the benefits of the world’s most comfortable run socks and apparel shine over that amount of time. SmartWool will provide every Hardrock 100 competitor with a complimentary pair of PhD® Run socks, featuring a run-specific 4-Degree™ Elite fit, as well as a custom, 100-percent Merino wool NTS Micro 150 Tee.

SmartWool athletes, staff and volunteers will encamp at Montanya’s in Silverton for race week to back Piceu’s bid for history. “Camp SmartWool” will welcome race participants and fans stopping by to visit—no product salesmanship, just a comfortable place to stop by, hang out and say hello.

“The Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run is excited to have formed a partnership with SmartWool, which shares our commitment to quality and to the ultrarunning community,” says Race Organizer Dave Garland. “We are looking forward to working with SmartWool for years to come.” 

About SmartWool: Based in Steamboat Springs, Colo., SmartWool is a 20-year-old apparel brand whose products are inspired by living and playing in the mountains. All SmartWool® products come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and are created to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool. For information on the full range of SmartWool products or to find a dealer near you, please log onto www.SmartWool.com.For event and company updates visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smartwool or Twitter: http://twitter.com/smartwool. SmartWool is a brand of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC).