Holding Strong at Hardrock: How Mike Wardian (and KT Tape) Endure the Toughest Miles

Hardrock 100 is brutal.

Set in Colorado’s remote San Juan Mountains, this 102.5-mile endurance race climbs a staggering 33,197 feet and crosses 13 mountain passes over rugged terrain at altitudes that rarely dip below 10,000 feet.

Just getting to the start line can take years. Literally. The lottery is notoriously selective, and the altitude strips even the strongest runners down to their rawest form. The moment the gun goes off, you’re not chasing a podium. You’re chasing the mountain, the weather, and whatever’s waiting inside mile 70 when your body starts to argue with your mind.

You climb through thin air, scramble over rocky ridgelines, wade through icy creeks, and descend on legs that barely work anymore. Sleep deprivation warps your sense of time. Calories become currency. Blisters, rolled ankles, muscle cramps—none of it is optional. It’s not a matter of if something breaks down, it’s what and when.

And that’s what makes this race legendary. Every runner has their own reason for showing up, and their own way of staying present through the unknown.

For Mike Wardian, this year marked his fifth Hardrock finish, an accomplishment that puts him in rare company. He gained momentum after summiting Handies Peak, the highest point on the course at over 14,000 feet, and continued to move up the field all the way to the finish. The course climbs above 12,000 feet thirteen different times, demanding a level of respect, pacing, and preparation that only seasoned athletes understand. The night before the race, Mike applied KT Tape and KT Health Blister Treatment Patches to key areas he knew would take a beating. Over the next 100 punishing miles, through every climb, descent, and rocky mile, KT Tape helped keep things together, literally.

“Handies Peak always rips my soul out,” Mike shared, recalling mile 30 when altitude nearly got the best of him. “But I rebounded with the help of my crew and started moving up. After that, I don’t think anyone passed me again.” 

That bounce-back is the result of decades of experience. At 51, Mike has completed over 300 marathons and ultramarathons. In 2017, he set a world record at the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days with an average time of 2:45:57*. He also held the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon while pushing a stroller—clocking a 2:42:21 finish at the Frederick Marathon in 2007*.

Mike’s resume includes national ultrarunning titles, more than 25 FKTs across five countries, and a reputation for racing with purpose and positivity. Whether he’s chasing podiums or pushing personal limits, he brings the same energy to every start line.

With his crew supporting him and his pacing dialed in, Mike worked his way through the second half of the Hardrock 100 course and finished 24th overall, 19th male. His approach is proof that consistency, preparation, and knowing your body can carry you through even the toughest terrain.

Before every big effort, Mike tapes up the night before. For Hardrock, he applied KT Tape on clean, dry skin so the adhesive could fully set before the early start. That step is intentional. After decades of racing, he’s learned that taping ahead of time—not in response to pain—helps keep his body moving efficiently through long efforts. KT Tape increases circulation, supports movement, and holds up when conditions get unpredictable.

KT Tape is designed to stay on for days even after the activity is over, continuing to support overworked muscles and joints during recovery. That extended wear time matters, especially after efforts where the real soreness sets in long after the finish line.

That next day? For Mike, it included the Depletion Mile, a post-race tradition he started years ago. The concept is simple and absurd: run a mile as fast as you can, at altitude, after finishing one of the hardest ultras in the world. It’s a way to shake out the legs, suffer a little more, and bring people together with a laugh. Mike clocked a 5:49 this year—one of the fastest Depletion Miles run by a Hardrock finisher.

With five Hardrock finishes behind him, Mike is already on his next effort. He’s at the British Virgin Islands with his family, combining vacation time with an opportunity to scout a few new FKT’s (Fastest Known Times). After more than two decades of racing, he’s still finding ways to test what’s possible.

Whether you're building toward your next race or focused on recovery, KT Tape is designed to help you Crush Every Moment.

Ready to give your body the support it needs? Shop KT Tape

Want to follow Mike’s next efforts? Find him on Instagram @mikewardian to see where the trail leads next.

Photo Credit: Kyle LaFerriere Photography

Editor’s Note: One runner tragically passed away during this year’s Hardrock 100. We extend our sincere condolences to their family, friends, and the wider ultra community.