Latest News – August 19

“Race Across The Sky” Set for August 20-21 in Leadville

This Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21 nearly 750 competitors will race all day and into the night at the Blueprint for Athletes Leadville Trail 100 Run, produced by Life TimeSM – The Healthy Way of Life Company and presented by New Balance.
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Competitors from around the world come to Leadville to prove themselves on the iconic 100-mile course covering grueling Colorado Rockies terrain where elevations range from 9,200 to 12,600 feet, with a total climb of more than 18,000 feet. 

“As we begin our 34th year, I continue to be in awe of all of the competitors here ready to defy the impossible and earn their place in Leadville Trail 100 history,” said Josh Colley, race director, Leadville Race Series. “The strength and grit each athlete portrays inspires all of us to lead an active, healthy life and push to make our dreams a reality.”

Top contenders for the pro race include 2015 and 2013 past champion Ian Sharman (United Kingdom) and 2014 second place finisher Mike Aish (United States) who is currently chasing the Leadman course record. For the women, ultra-running powerhouses, Britt Dick (United States) and Jen Benna are toeing the line.

Ian Sharman won the 2015 “Race Across The Sky” LT100 Run with a time of 16:33:54. Photo: Leadville Race Series

This year at the Leadville Trail 100, competitors from all 50 states and 36 countries are represented. Competitor Eric Pence is looking for his 22nd finish in the event, while an incredible 75 percent of participants, are competing in the Leadville Trail 100 Race for the first time. Javier Cendejas will be the oldest competitor at 73 and David Hedges is the youngest competitor at 18.

Over the course of the race, competitors climb more than 18,000 feet—which is like running up the Empire State Building 14.5 times (1,250 feet to the top). The first finishers are expected to complete the race in 16 to 17 hours and all participants have 30 hours to finish and earn the coveted Leadville 100 belt buckle. Most competitors will see the sun rise twice while they are running.

The entire pool of competitors will start the Leadville 100 Run at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 and additional race timelines are as follows:

• 8 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20: Male top finishers expected finish time range.
• 11:30 to 12:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 21: Female top finishers expected finish time range.
• 5 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 21: 25-hour cutoff time. These runners are awarded the large silver and gold buckles.
• 10 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 21: 30-hour cutoff time for all runners. These runners awarded silver finisher buckles.
• Noon: Awards Ceremony at Lake County Middle School gymnasium, 1000 West 6th St.

For more information and complete results visit www.LeadvilleRaceSeries.com.