2026 ELITE START LIST

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

• 11:30am | Kenetik Shakeout Ride
  • RSVP + Route Map
• 12:00pm – 12:30PM | The Leadout Pre-Race Show |  YouTube Live
• 1:00pm – 7:00pm | Packet Pickup
  • Location: 135 E 6th Street
    • Photo ID is required
    • Packets must be picked up in person
    • Packets will not be mailed or given to others
•  Expo Stage Programming
  • 2:00pm – 2:30pm | Kenetik Athlete Interviews
  • 3:00pm – 3:30pm | Life Time Grand Prix Autograph Signing
  • 4:00pm – 7:00pm | Live Music
•  Booth Activations
  • 1:00pm-7:00pm | Neversecond Nutrition  Sweat Test & Scavenger Hunt | N142
  • 1:00pm-7:00pm | Ford Bronco Giveaway | S126
  • 1:00pm-7:00pm | Hollow Socks Sock Swap | N114
  • 2:00pm-7:00pm | Magicshine Light Up Your Ride Giveaway | E156
  • 2:00pm-4:00pm | Stan’s Custom Hats | E158
  • 4:00-5:00pm | Tailwind Nutrition | Home Town Happy Hour with Cole Paton & Lauren Aggeler | E112
• 6:30pm – 9:00pm | Movie night at the Tabor: Ritual MTB Film Tour and Best Day Ever Documentary.
  • Purchase tickets for our double feature of two incredible films, presented by the Leadville Race Series, Life Time Foundation, and Cloud City Wheelers:
  • Ritual MTB Film Tour | A collection of films showcasing incredible storylines and stunning cinematography from riders and filmmakers across the country.
  • Best Day Ever | A documentary that follows two adaptive mountain bikers as they conquer the daily challenges of disability and find joy, connection, and community on the trails.Proceeds from this evening will go to support:
    • Expansion of accessible mountain bike trails in Leadville (Cloud City Wheelers).
    • Preservation and activation of the historic Tabor Opera House.
    • Community-driven efforts to make outdoor recreation more inclusive and accessible.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

• 8:30am | Neversecond Shakeout Ride
  • RSVP + Route Map
  • Arrive early for coffee and snacks, then head to the athlete meeting afterwords.
• 10:00am | Mandatory Athlete Meeting
  • Location: Lake County High School Football field – outdoor venue
• 11:00am – 5:00pm | Packet Pickup
  • Location: 135 E 6th Street
    • Leadville Trail 10k Packet Pickup Available
    • Photo ID is required
    • Packets must be picked up in person
    • Packets will not be mailed or given to others
•  Expo Stage Programming
  • 1:00pm-1:30pm | Life Time Grand Prix Athlete Panel
  • 2:00-2:30pm | Life Time Foundation Stryder Bike Build Challenge
  • 3:00pm – 7:00pm | Live Music
•  Booth Activations
  • 11:00am-5:00pm | Hollow Socks  Hats, T-shirts, Sock Swap, Temp Tattoos | N114
  • 11:00am-5:00pm | Neversecond Nutrition | Sweat Test | N142
  • 11:00am-5:00pm | Ford Bronco Giveaway | S126
  • 2:00pm-4:00pm | Tailwind Recovery Slushies | E112
• 2:30pm-3:30pm | Training Peaks Athlete Panel with Alexey Vermeulen and Anna Gibson at Before & After Coffee and Cocktails
• 11:00am – 5:00pm | Drop Bag Dropoff
  • Location: 316 Harrison Ave – Leadville Race Series Retail Store.
  • Only clear plastic bags are allowed – please bring your own bags.
  • Clearly label bags in large letters with your name, race number, and the aid station it’s being sent to.
  • Drop Bag Return
    • 5:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday
    • 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday
    • Location: 316 Harrison Ave – Leadville Race Series Retail Store
    • Note: Any bags not picked up by 5pm Sunday will be donated to local charities!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 – RACE DAY!

• 5:00am – 6:15am | Corrals Open
  • Location: Corner of 6th St & Harrison
  • Corral Notes:
    • We will be staging on Harrison Ave. Look for your corral marker on Harrison or West 6th St.
    • All belt buckle times are based on chip time. You will have 12 hours to complete the race from the moment you cross the start line.
• 5:45am – WATCH LIVE: LEADVILLE TRAIL 100 MTB LIVESTREAM 
  • Corral Start times:
    • 6:00 am – Elite Men
    • 6:10 am – Elite Women
    • 6:30 am – Gold
    • 6:32:30am –  Silver/Red
    • 6:35am – Green
    • 6:37:30am – Purple
    • 6:40am – Orange
    • 6:42:30am – Blue
    • 6:45am – White
    • 6:47:30am – Brown 1 (self seeded)
    • 6:50am – Brown 2 (self seeded)
• 11:00am – 7:00pm | Bike Wash hosted by Muc-Off
• 12:00pm – 8:00pm | Post-Race Finish Festival
• LIVE FINISH CAM – WATCH YOUR LOVED ONES CROSS THE RED CARPET
• 4:00pm | Life Time Grand Prix and Pro Category Awards
• 7:15pm | Awards Ceremony
  • The awards Ceremony and finish fest will take place at 6th and Harrison on the stage.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16

• 7:00am – 9:00am | Leadville Trail 10k Packet Pick-Up
  • Location: Courthouse Lawn (Corner of 6th & Harrison)
  • Athletes are STRONGLY encouraged to pick up their packet prior to race day.
• 9:00am | Leadville Trail 10k Start and FREE Kids Dash
  • Location: Corner of 6th St & Harrison
  • Please see the Leadville 10K event page for more information.
  • Kids Dash will be announced and will start at approximately 9:15am.

2026 Course Map:

• Ride with GPS
• Garmin Connect

We worked closely with our local authorities to create a revised route that ensures riders can safely take on the historic race while avoiding areas impacted by the Willow Fire.

The 2026 edition of the LT100 MTB closely follows the traditional course. Athletes will head west from Harrison Ave as normal, first taking on St. Kevin’s climb before heading back east around Turquoise Lake to avoid the areas affected by the Willow Fire.

The following areas were impacted by the Willow Fire and will not be featured:

• Hagerman Pass Road

• Sugarloaf Mountain

• Powerline

Athletes will rejoin the original course at the bottom of the Powerline Descent, before heading into the Outward Bound aid station.

The Details:

Mileage: 101.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 9,897 ft

Aid station mileages subject to change and may be slightly different from the map.

COURSE MARKINGS

• Markings – The course will be marked with pink flags and pink and black tape.
• Vehicles – Obey the rules of the road, as the roads are not closed to traffic.
• Know the course! – Athletes are reminded that while courses are marked, it is your responsibility to know the course
  • GPX files are available for your use (see above)

Course Diversions or Wrong Turns: if a rider exits the official race course for any reason, they must backtrack and re-enter the course at the same spot they exited. If a rider re-joins the course at any other location than the point of their exit, they will be subject to disqualification.

AID STATIONS

There will be a total of 7 aid stations throughout the course.

• Aid stations will offer: Water, Neversecond energy gel and high-carbohydrate beverage mix, Skratch Labs hydration, bars and chews, The Pickle Juice Company products and assorted foods including bananas, figs, pretzels, chips, coke products, etc.

Locations:

• Carter Summit – outbound (mile 10.6)
• Outward Bound – outbound (mile 22.3)
• Twin Lakes Dam – outbound (mile 38.2)
• Columbine Mine – race turnaround (mile 50)
• Twin Lakes Dam – inbound (mile 61.2)
• Outward Bound  – inbound (mile 77.1)
• Carter Summit – inbound (mile 88.8)

CUTOFFS

• Outbound:
  • 10:45am | Twin Lakes Dam 
• Inbound:
  • 2:15pm | Twin Lakes Dam
  • 3:30pm | Outward Bound
  • 5:50pm | Carter Summit
• Large Buckle Cutoff: sub 8:15  
• Small Buckle Cutoff: sub 11:15
• Official Course Cutoff: 12:15

Note:

• • Chip times will be used for all buckle awards and will be verified at the finish line
  • All course cutoffs are based on gun time

PRIZE PURSE DETAILS:

New in 2026, the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik prize purse has been INCREASED to $60,000, split evenly between the Top 5 Men & Women in the Elite category. The breakdown is as follows:

Please reach out to lifetimeelite@lifetime.life with any questions.

We recognize crews as a critical component to all of our events. Our courses cover open roads and trails and careful consideration must go into how and where crews can access their athletes. A conscious plan around this is a foundation of our partnership with the community, USFS, BLM, City of Leadville and Lake County officials to ensure we are providing a safe event experience to everyone involved.

CREW LOCATIONS:

• There are 4 crewing locations: riders will hit each location twice
• Crewing outside of these locations is against official rules, resulting in disqualification of your rider

PARKING:

• Parking pass required in some locations, see access details below
• Attendants will assist you with parking
• Park only in designated areas
• Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation

WRISTBANDS:

• All athletes will receive color coded wristbands based on their corral placement
• Crews must wear wristbands to access certain areas of the course, see access details below

Aid station mileages subject to change and may be slightly different from the map.

Train with what you’ll use on Race Day! You can find the following products at aid stations for all Leadville Race Series Events:

Neversecond – Energy Gels and High-Carbohydrate Sports Drink

Skratch Labs – Hydration Mix, Energy Bars & Chews

BUCKLE TIMES

All buckle times are based on individual rider chip times, as they have been in years past. See the definition of chip time vs. gun time below.

• 8-hours and 15 minutes cutoff time = BIG BUCKLE

• 11-hours and 15 minutes cutoff time = SMALL BUCKLE and official finisher

CHIP TIME vs GUN TIME

• Chip Time – your time starts when you cross the timing mat at the start, and ends when you cross the timing mat when you finish – accounting for all elapsed time on the course.  
• Gun Time – your time starts when the race starts (6:30am -6:50am).  
• Reminder – Chip time will be used to determine your belt buckle eligibility and there will be no changes to those times. Gun time will be used for course cutoffs. Cutoff times are based on a 12 hour cutoff for the last corral, White 3. 

RACE NUMBERS

• Race Numbers must be visible at all times, tied to the handlebars of your bike. 

DO NOT cut or fold your number – this may damage the timing chip and impact your timing data

Check out our Official Rules page to familiarize yourself with all policies that ensure a fair and safe experience for all.

If you believe that you have a finish time that would place you in a faster corral, follow these steps:

• You will NOT be placed in a faster corral automatically.
• View our corral chart below for eligible races and corral assignment times.
• Send a screenshot or results link to leadville@ltevents.zendesk.com to request a corral review.
• You will receive word on your final corral within one week of the event.

Parking and overall congestion in Leadville will continue to be a crucial topic for everyone this season and for our presence in Leadville moving forward. We know that with your help we can be great stewards of this community.

All athletes and crews will be required to park at the Community Fields and High School Parking lot and take a shuttle (or run, walk, bike) to the start line. The map below outlines parking locations and shuttle pickup spots. The shuttle locations are under 1 mile from the race start and will run efficiently and quickly to get you to where you need to be!

Shuttles:

• Crew shuttles are at no charge and courtesy of Life Time.
• No overnight camping/parking is allowed at any location. Security will be on site at Twin Lakes Dam on Friday night. 
• Mountain View location is day-use access only and not an official crewing location. You MUST pay the fee to access this location, and is first come first serve.

The awards ceremony will take place at 6th & Harrison at 7:00pm on Race Day.

• Belt buckles will be distributed directly in the finish chute at the end of your race!
• All finisher hoodies will be custom printed and shipped directly to your door.
• Racers must complete the event in under 11 hours and 15 minutes to be considered an official finisher and receive their hoodie and beltbuckle.

AWARDS

• 1000 mile buckles
• 2000 mile buckles
• 3000 mile buckles
• 11 year jackets
• Last Ass Over the Pass
• Awards (3 deep per category)
  • 18-19 Men / Women
  • 20-29 Men / Women
  • 30-39 Men / Women
  • 40-49 Men / Women
  • 50-59 Men / Women
  • 60-69 Men / Women
  • 70+ Men / Women
  • Single Speed Men / Women
  • Para Male
  • Para Female
  • Tandem
  • Non-binary Open
  • Overall/Elite Male* (5 deep)
  • Overall/Elite Female* (5 deep)

Elite Prize Purse

This prize money will pay 5 deep for both Elite Men and Elite Women and will be awarded as follows:

*Overall/pro male and female athletes will be removed from age group awards.

Age group awards will be based on the age an athlete will be on RACE DAY.

All athletes racing in the Elite category will be scored on gun time. Riders will be ranked in the order that they cross the finish line.

Note: If you cannot pick up your award, we will mail it to you for a small fee. After October 31st, buckles and awards will no longer be able to be shipped. Awards shipping can be purchased here.

DROP BAG DROP OFF

• Friday: 11:00am-5:00pm
• 316 Harrison Ave, Leadville Race Series Retail Store

DROP BAG RETURN

• Saturday: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
• 316 Harrison Ave, Leadville Race Series Retail Store

Any bags not picked up by 5pm Sunday will be donated to local charities!

There are 2 locations on course that you can send drop bags:

• Twin Lakes Dam
• Outward Bound

Remember, you will hit each of these locations twice.

DROP BAG GUIDELINES

• Drop bags must be clear plastic bags.
• Clearly label bags in large letters with the following info:
  • Bib number
  • Name
  • Aid station name: Twin Lakes Dam, Outward Bound
  • Remember, you will hit each aid station twice.
  • Don’t place valuables in drop bags
• Liquids – any liquids in your bag should be leak proof and in non-breakable containers

WEATHER

• Leadville temperatures in August vary from daytime highs in the upper 70s to nighttime lows in the upper 20s. Expect sunny mornings and afternoon showers, and be prepared for the Colorado high country’s volatile weather. During the race, it could rain, hail, and even snow. Lightning is hazardous, especially above the timberline. Hypothermia easily occurs with a combination of decreasing temperatures, wind and precipitation. It can result in confusion, and this can be deadly.

• No matter the weather, DO NOT attempt the round trip to Columbine Mine without adequate warm and protective clothing. Remember, the Columbine Mine is at 12,500 feet.
• See our complete LT100 MTB Packing List here.

AIR QUALITY

We are carefully monitoring AQI daily and working with our local Public Health and NOAA experts to track trends that will inform real time decisions.  Please review the chart below.

WILLOW FIRE PROGRESS

• Current containment: 67%
• Expect to still see small pockets of smoke within the burn area. This is normal for fire management and containment.
• All event decisions have been made in collaboration with local fire and permitting officials, with the safety of our athletes and community members as our top priority. 

Check out our Official Rules page to familiarize yourself with all policies that ensure a fair and safe experience for all.

Check out our Visit Leadville page for all lodging, amenities, and things to do while you’re in town!

Leave No Trace | Do Leadville-Twin Lakes Right

The Leadville Race Series will directly hold and mirror the 7 principles already established and in place via the US Forest Service. Learn more here:

Learn how to do Leadville Twin Lakes right

Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles

Plan Ahead + Pack Smart

• Know the Course – Study the route, aid stations, portapotty locations, and terrain before race day.
• Pack Light + Right – Bring only what you need (hydration packs, snacks, gear); choose reusable or biodegradable gear.
• No Littering – Be prepared to deposit waste at Zero Waste Stations throughout the course. Intentional littering on the course will be grounds for disqualification. 

Camp with Care

• Know Your Options – From dispersed sites to RV parks, plan and book early. Check if CMC offers event-specific camping.
• Dispersed = Primitive – First-come, first-served camping on public lands. No services provided. Camp 100+ feet from water and follow fire rules.
• Self-Reliance is Key – No bathrooms, no trash service. Pack it in, pack it out. Stop by the Visitor Center for pet waste bags.

 Bathroom Rules

• Use Portapotties – Provided along the course and at aid stations. No exceptions.  LRS is offering expanded portapotty options in 2025 and beyond.
• Backcountry Emergencies – Dig a 6″ hole 200 feet from water. Penalties apply for non-compliance. Carry a WAG bag for TP and hygiene items.

Respect the Land

• Historic Sites Matter – Crews are no longer allowed at the Twin Lakes Forest Service site due to past damage.
• Leave What You Find – Don’t move or take natural or cultural objects.

Fire Safety

• Check Restrictions – Before lighting any campfire, confirm local fire bans.
• Keep it Small + Cold – Never leave fires unattended. Fully extinguish with water until cold to the touch.
• Buy Local Firewood – Available at ACE or Big R in Leadville. Don’t import pests.

Wildlife Awareness

• Bear Smart – Keep food, trash, and scented items in bear-proof containers or locked vehicles.Twin Lakes has issues with trash attracting bears. 

Respect the Locals

• Be Courteous – Don’t block driveways, urinate in private yards, or disrespect residents. Your behavior reflects on the entire race.

Cycles of Life

Cycles of Life is a full service bike shop right in the town of Leadville, providing all types of minor and major repair, tune-ups, custom wheel building, suspension and fork overhauls, bike fitting and more. To make things easy for you, Cycles of Life can have your bike shipped directly to the shop where their team will unpack, assemble, inspect, fully tune and prepare your bike for race day. Post-race, simply drop off your ride and Cycles of Life will repack and ship to your destination.

Click here for more information.

We thank our sponsors for making the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik possible. Whether local or national, we ask our participants and fans to look to these sponsors first for the services or products they provide. We truly could not host these amazing events without all of them. Our most sincere thanks to all!

While your body is working hard, your brain is working harder. Managing effort, maintaining focus, and making the calls that keep you moving when everything else says stop.

Ketones are the brain’s most efficient fuel source. Kenetik delivers 12 grams directly, no caffeine, no sugar, no compromises. Just clean, fast-acting metabolic brain fuel, available exactly when your performance depends on it.

This isn’t a sports drink. It’s brain fuel for the athletes who know the race is won in the mind first.