Latest News – August 8

Twenty-first LT100 MTB Gets Underway Tomorrow

The Leadville Race Series (LRS), produced by Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company, will host the 21st Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike (MTB), this Saturday, August 9. Nearly 2,000 riders will take on the 100-mile course with elevations ranging from 10,152 to 12,424 feet.

It’s Race Time! Come and cheer on the cyclists who will head out on their 100-mile journey at 6:30 tomorrow morning (August 9) from the corner of 6th & Harrison.

“It’s an exciting time in Leadville as we welcome race competitors and the endurance sports community to this pinnacle mountain bike event of the Leadville Race Series,” said Josh Colley, LRS Race Director. “The sheer determination of these athletes – from our stellar pro field to our first-time participants – is something we all can draw from as we lead our own healthy way of life journeys.”
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Who’s Racing this Year?

In addition to a strong pro field vying for the overall win and course records, several participants have had to overcome amazing obstacles in order to compete:

Wendy Skean hopes to be the first 70 year old woman to finish in less than 12 hours. In 2005 at age 61, she finished in 11:24:36 to become the first 60 year old woman to finish under 12 hours—a record she still holds. Skean had a cycling accident in May and although she fractured her knee, she began rehab in June and will be on the start line as the oldest female participant.

Christopher Self is a US Army Special Forces Sergeant Major who was severely wounded in Iraq in 2005. While his injuries resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee, Self returned to active duty and completed two additional combat tours in Iraq before retiring from the US Army Special Forces in March 2013. This is his first attempt in the Leadville 100 MTB.

Sonam grew up in the Kingdom of Bhutan on a rice farm in Paro Valley and is a first-time participant in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. He was unable to go to school past 6th grade in his country as his family needed him for labor. After joining the army, he was quickly tapped in to be a royal guard for the king because of his athleticism. He began riding four years ago when taking tourists on bike tours in the Himalayan and has since won two titles in Bhutan. His dream is to use his experience as a cyclist to promote health and a love of sports among Bhutanese children.

Roger Mankus is racing for his 2,000 mile buckle. If achieved, he will have completed the LT100 MTB 20 times and participated in all but one race. In addition to Mankus, 20 other Leadville competitors are going for their 1,000 mile buckle to become 10-time finishers.

Adam Stepanovic is attempting to be the youngest 1,000 mile buckle holder at age 30 if he finishes under 12 hours. Adam made a pact to earn his 1,000 buckle with his father, who raced the 100 MTB for many years and recently passed away. While earning the buckle will be a significant accomplishment, Stepanovic’s real goal is to fulfill his promise to his dad.

Start time is at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow – Saturday, August 9. For more information and complete results: LINK.  

Join The Rusch, With 4x LT100 MTB Women’s Champion!