Latest News – August 17

Number 35: “Race Across The Sky”

 “After 35 years of watching thousands of athletes cross the finish line, I am continually amazed and inspired by the guts, grit and determination I see in all competitors seeking to earn a place in Leadville Trail 100 history,” said Ken Chlouber, Founder of the Leadville Race Series. “It can inspire all of us to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and work to make our dreams become a reality.” 

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This weekend, Aug. 19-20, nearly 750 competitors from around the world will be in town to race the iconic Leadville Trail 100 (LT100) “Race Across The Sky” Run, racing day and night on the 100-mile course covering grueling Colorado Rockies terrain where elevations range from 9,200 to 12,600 feet.   

Top contenders for the pro race include LT100 three-time champion Ian Sharman (United Kingdom) and two-time LT100 champion Duncan Callahan (United States). For the women, Camille Heron (United States), winner of the 2017 South Africa’s Comrades Marathon will toe the line in her first LT100 alongside 2016 second place finisher Maggie Walsh (United States). 

The “Race Across The Sky” always sees high drama as the clock ticks away at the 30-hour cut-off, like LT100 Finisher and Coach Bill Stahl of Wheat Ridge, who came in less than ONE minute before the end of the race, with support of Littleton High School’s Cross Country Team. Photo Via Facebook/Jo Weakley Agnew.

This year competitors from all 50 states and 35 countries are represented. Over the course of the race, runners will 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 to earn the coveted Leadville 100 belt buckle. Most competitors will see the sun rise twice while they are running the race. 

The entire pool of participants will start the race at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19. Other notable times on the race schedule include:

• 8 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19: Top male anticipated to finish
• 11:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20: Top female anticipated to finish
• 5 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 20: 25-hour cut-off time. These finishers are awarded the large silver and gold buckles. 
• 9:50 a.m., Sunday Aug. 20: The final 10 minutes of the Leadville Trail 100 Run are inspirational moments as spectators watch competitors who have been running for nearly 30 hours attempt to finish before the cut-off time. 
• 10 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 20: 30-hour cutoff time for all runners. These runners are awarded silver finisher buckles.
• Noon: Awards Ceremony held at the Lake County Middle School Gymnasium. 

For more information and complete results visit www.LeadvilleRaceSeries.com. For race day updates visit the Leadville Race Series Facebook page. 

LT 100 Champion Ian Sharman who won in this picture from 2013, will be back to try to take the top spot once again. Good Luck, Champ!