Face of the Race: Leadville Race Series Retail Manager, Craig Martin

The Blueprint for Athletes Leadville Race Series wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedicated team members who make it an unforgettable experience for athletes from all over the world. We sat down with some familiar faces from the Leadville team to learn more about what drew them to live the two-miles-high lifestyle, and in this segment, we’re sharing some fun facts about our Leadville Race Series Retail Manager, Craig Ryan Martin.

LRS: How long have you been with the Leadville Race Series?
Craig Ryan Martin: 695 days — almost 2 years.

LRS: Have you done a Leadville Race Series race? If so, which one?
CRM: I ran the Blueprint for Athletes Leadville 10K in 2013, adding a significant amount of time to my 10Ks I’d run in Denver, where I lived at the time. It was a slap in the face that running at elevation is no simple feat, so I moved here!

LRS: What’s your most memorable Leadville moment (as an employee or as a participant)?
CRM: My brother ran the Blueprint for Athletes Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by New Balance in 2014, and I was lucky enough to pace him for a handful of miles throughout the night. He had been running 24 hours straight when he met up with me, and seeing someone so close to me tackling something so daunting and overcoming it was something I’ll never forget.

The awards ceremony at the Blueprint for Athletes Austin Rattler this year was one of the most amazing things I’ve been a part of as a human being. Seeing the Leadville Race Series and the athletes chip in to raise money for a fellow athlete was magical to be a part of.

LRS: What would people be surprised to learn about your job?
CRM: The long nights and early mornings that go into event weekends. One of the highlights of my season is hanging glow sticks near Power Line at 1 a.m. the morning before the start of the LT100 Run. Many people are also shocked that we drive 1,967 miles to produce the Blueprint for Athletes Wilmington Whiteface MTB, but it’s been a great opportunity to see the country and is one of my favorite events of the year.

LRS: Care to share a fun fact about yourself?
CRM: I can spell Czechoslovakia and have been able to since I was 6. Also, I once ate 311 Chipotle burritos in a calendar year as part of a New Year’s resolution I’d made to eat a burrito every day (same chicken burrito every time).

LRS: Where is your favorite spot to grab a bite in Leadville?
CRM: Tennessee Pass Café, but my go-to source of energy during the season has got to be a Whamola burger from Gringos!

LRS: What’s your favorite part of living in Leadville?
CRM: The views and the Whamola!

Want to learn more about Craig? Swing by our awesome Leadville Race Series retail store where you can chat with the man himself while perusing through some sweet Leadville swag. Not in Leadville? Check out our online store!