How to Get Selected for the Legendary Leadville 100 Ultramarathon
The Leadville 100 is considered one of the most prestigious and grueling ultramarathons in the world. Covering 100 miles of rugged Rocky Mountain terrain in Leadville, Colorado, this race truly lives up to its “Race Across the Sky” nickname.
With a highly competitive lottery system for entries, getting into the Leadville 100 takes dedication, perseverance, and proper preparation. As an ultrarunning expert, I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide to provide everything you need to know about getting selected for this iconic race.
Overview of the Leadville 100 Trail Run
First run in 1983, the Leadville 100 Trail Run takes place annually in August, with participants running through the heart of the Colorado Rockies. The route has a staggering cumulative elevation gain of 15,600 feet, topping out at 12,620 feet. That‘s like running up and down a skyscraper over 5 times!
Runners have a 30-hour time limit to complete the out-and-back course, which starts and finishes in downtown Leadville. The race was founded by Ken Chlouber, who wanted to try and boost the struggling mining town.
While the field is capped at around 800 runners, the race fills up quickly thanks to its prestige on the ultrarunning circuit. Securing an entry requires proper qualifying and strategic planning.
As an experienced ultrarunner myself, I highly recommend Leadville as the ultimate challenge that all avid trail runners should strive to complete at least once. The rewards of finishing this grueling yet captivating course are worth every bit of hard work.
Leadville 100 Course Details
Let‘s get into the specifics of the Leadville 100 course:
- Distance: 100 miles (161 km)
- Cumulative elevation gain: 15,600 feet (4,750 m)
- High point: 12,620 feet (3,850 m)
- Times: 30 hour overall limit
- Sub-25 hours for silver belt buckle
- Sub-24 hours for gold belt buckle
- Aid stations: Spread out every ~10 miles
- Terrain: Singletrack trails, jeep roads, dirt roads
The course consists of an out-and-back route passing through remote mountain areas and the town of Winfield. Runners traverse rocky trails, high alpine meadows, river beds, and old mining roads.
Leadville 100 Lottery Registration Details
Registration for the Leadville 100 lottery opens in January. To enter, you need to signup online and provide:
- Contact/bib # info
- Qualifying race proof
- Entry fee ($425 for 2024)
Lottery entries close when the race caps or by June 1, whichever comes first.
Here is a breakdown of the lottery timeline:
- January: Lottery registration opens
- March: First lottery drawing held
- May: Final lottery drawing held
- June 1: Lottery entries close
- August: Race day!
The earlier you enter the lottery, the more chances you have of being selected through the various lottery drawings.
Charity Entries
Runners who don’t get chosen can still gain entry by joining charity programs and raising funds. You can do multiple fundraisers to increase lottery chances.
Popular Leadville 100 charities include:
- The 100 Mile Club
- Children‘s Hospital Colorado
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
I recommend joining multiple charities to maximize your chances. Set up a fundraising page and proactively ask for donations from your network.
Tips for Getting Selected
Simply meeting the qualifying standards does not guarantee selection, as the race is in very high demand. Use these tips to boost your chances:
Enter Early
Enter the lottery as soon as it opens in January to get the most lottery chances. Don‘t wait!
Qualify Consistently
Run qualifying races each year to build your ultrarunning resume. Having 2-3 recent qualifiers over multiple years looks better than just 1.
Do Multiple Leadville Races
Completing other Leadville events like the Heavy Half Marathon or Silver Rush 50 Run gives you an edge in the lottery.
Volunteer
Get involved by volunteering at aid stations or other Leadville races. This improves your odds and gives you experience on the course!
Fundraise Aggressively
Do multiple fundraisers through various charities. Set high goals and actively campaign to hit them.
Check Results Diligently
Closely monitor your status after each lottery drawing. Be ready to accept any spot offers before the deadline!
Training for the Leadville 100 Trail Run
Simply finishing this race is an immense achievement. To perform well and make the cut-offs requires intense training. Use this plan as a guide:
Build a High Mileage Base
Work up to peak weeks of 60-70 miles over at least 4 months. This base is crucial before adding vertical and intensity.
Add Major Vertical
Complete serious elevation gain like 20K+ ft per week to prep your climbing legs. Do long hill repeats.
Run on Technical Trails
Log as many miles as possible on rocky, rooty singletrack terrain. The course is very technical.
Train at Altitude
Spend time acclimatizing with runs over 10,000 ft. Use an altitude tent or mask if you can.
Heat Train
Prepare for hot August race conditions with mid-day runs, layers, and electrolyte loading.
Strength Train
Build leg strength and injury resilience with squats, lunges and core work 2-3x/week.
Practice Race Nutrition
Test fueling strategies in long runs. Dial in calories, hydration, and electrolytes.
Leadville 100 Race Statistics and Records
Here are some key historical stats from the legendary Leadville 100:
Runners and Finishers
| Year | # of Starters | # of Finishers | Finish Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 930 | 585 | 63% |
| 2021 | 721 | 419 | 58% |
| 2020 | 539 | 352 | 65% |
| 2010 | 954 | 576 | 60% |
| 2000 | 469 | 296 | 63% |
| 1994 | 352 | 218 | 62% |
| 1983 | 45 | 27 | 60% |
As you can see, while the popularity has increased over the years, the finish rate hovers around 50-65%.
Course Records
| Category | Record Holder | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Matt Carpenter | 15:42:59 | 2005 |
| Women‘s | Anita Ortiz | 18:06:24 | 2009 |
| Single-Speed | Jay Petervary | 22:38:23 | 2014 |
These records showcase how truly elite the top Leadville athletes are. But don‘t let that intimidate you – just finishing is a monumental accomplishment!
Is the Leadville 100 Worth It?
For dedicated ultra runners seeking the ultimate high-altitude endurance challenge, Leadville is absolutely worth the immense effort required to gain entry and complete the course.
However, the extreme elevation, massive climbs, remoteness and tight cutoffs make this race incredibly tough. Attempting Leadville requires huge training commitments.
Being realistic about your abilities is important. The rewards of finishing are enormous, but should be weighed against the sacrifices required.
That said, in my opinion as an ultrarunner, the natural beauty of the course, lively aid stations, and incredible sense of achievement at the finish make Leadville an unforgettable experience worth pursuing.
About the Town of Leadville
At 10,152 feet above sea level, the town of Leadville is the highest incorporated municipality in North America. It has an intrepid mining history and charming Victorian architecture.
Leadville provides the perfect rugged, high-altitude backdrop for the race. Spectators can enjoy the town‘s attractions and plentiful lodging options. The iconic race finish line is on Harrison Avenue in downtown.
Popular spots include the National Mining Hall of Fame, the Tabor Opera House, and Melanzana clothing company. Leadville is definitely worth visiting and exploring while you‘re in town for the race!
Conclusion
The legendary Leadville 100 Trail Run is a pinnacle achievement for any dedicated ultrarunner. While gaining entry requires proper qualifying, perseverance, and a bit of luck, the rewards of toeing the starting line in iconic Leadville are worth every ounce of effort.
Use this guide to understand the qualification process, boost your lottery chances, train properly, and be ready to take on the formidable yet captivating “Race Across the Sky” challenge. See you on the trails!