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Leadville Trail 100 Run
Race Details:
- Location: Leadville, CO, USA
- Race Date: 08/22/2026
- Race Distances: 100 Mile, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: Yes
Leadville Trail 100 Run Description
The Leadville Trail 100 Run is a legendary out-and-back ultramarathon through the Colorado Rockies, climbing from the historic mining town of Leadville over 12,600-foot Hope Pass and back. Held each August, the course crosses high alpine terrain twice, testing runners with thin air and roughly 18,000 feet of elevation gain. A Western States and UTMB Index qualifier, it’s one of the oldest and most storied 100-milers in the country, drawing runners chasing the race’s famous silver and bronze finisher buckles.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Leadville Trail 100 Run Additional Details:
Leadville’s defining moment comes at Hope Pass, a brutal climb to 12,600 feet that runners face twice, once heading out to the Winfield turnaround and again on the return. Twelve aid stations support the course, stocked with Neversecond fuel, Skratch Labs hydration, and Pickle Juice Company products, with Twin Lakes doubling as a raucous crew and pacer hub where families camp out for hours awaiting their runner. Finishers under 25 hours earn the coveted large silver buckle; those under the 30-hour cutoff still take home a smaller buckle and a hero’s welcome on 6th Street in downtown Leadville. With roughly 800 runners toeing the line each year and fewer than half typically finishing, the race remains one of ultrarunning’s toughest tests of altitude, grit, and community support.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 30 hours
# of Finishers
100 Mile: 60% out of 600 to 700 entrants
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 18,168 ft
Elevation Loss: 18,168 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 40°F
- High: 68°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Leadville, CO, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Sports & Entertainment
Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad
Ride the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, a scenic sightseeing train departing from the historic depot — a relaxed, seated way to spend an afternoon after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Mount Sherman
Hike Mount Sherman, one of Colorado’s easiest 14ers and steeped in mining history — a moderate option for those with good legs after race day.
Museums & History
National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum
Explore the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in downtown Leadville, home to exhibits on the region’s mining legacy — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Mineral Belt Trail
Bike or walk the Mineral Belt Trail, an 11.6-mile paved loop around Leadville through the Historic Mining District — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Landmark
Matchless Mine
Tour the Matchless Mine and Baby Doe’s Cabin, telling the story of Horace Tabor and Leadville’s silver boom — an easy, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Leadville Trail 100 Run
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