Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run

Race co-founder Kenneth Chlouber, an avid marathon runner, conceived of the race as a way to make Leadville famous and bring visitors during a period of economic downturn. The Blueprint for Athletes Leadville Race Series began in 1983 with just 45 runners making the epic 100-mile trek through rugged Rocky Mountain terrain. Today, the world-renowned series stretches from New York to California and hosts thousands of racers on foot and in the saddle. Year after year, endurance athletes from all over the world test their grit, guts and determination with the ultimate goal of “Racing Across the Sky” and earning the coveted silver and gold buckle. The Leadville Trail 100 Run (aka The Race Across The Sky or the LT100) is an ultramarathon held annually on trails and dirt roads near Leadville, Colorado, through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Runners in the race climb and descend 15,600 feet (4,800 m), with elevations ranging between 9,200–12,620 feet. In most years, fewer than half the starters complete the race within the 30-hour time limit.