Legendary Leadville Trail 100 Run Presented by New Balance Begins on Saturday, August 16

More than 700 competitors are getting ready to race in the 32nd annual Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by New Balance on Saturday. Athletes will run day and night to complete this 100-mile course with elevations ranging from 9,200 to 12,600 feet in the grueling Colorado Rockies terrain. While this race is sure to be challenging for all, for some, it will mean a little more.

Trent Beachy
In 2008, Trent broke his neck and suffered a spinal cord injury which left most of the left side of his body paralyzed. Trent was lucky enough to regain leg function and this year, he will be the first high-functioning quadriplegic to finish a 100-mile race.

Jimmy Dean Freeman
Jimmy is working towards completing the “Original Grand Slam of Ultras” this summer running six 100-milers in 12 weeks (Old Dominion, Western States, Vermont, Angeles Crest, Leadville and Wasatch). With only two races left to complete, Jimmy is ready to take on the LT100 Run.

Jason Dorgan
Recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Jason was not ready to give up. He is racing in the LT100 Run this year to prove that the disease does not have to limit what one does.

Joel Runyon
Joel has spent 2014 running for a cause. Racing in seven ultra marathons on seven continents, he has partnered with the for-purpose organization Pencils of Promise to help build seven schools.

Dan Kaupas
When Dan was 12 years old he was in a car accident that resulted in a broken skull, pelvis and right femur. After seven days in a coma, he eventually had to re-learn to walk, write, read, etc. At the time, Dan was told that his likelihood of running again was non-existent and has set out to prove them wrong ever since.

Brian Remington Thornton
Brian was nearly killed in a motorcycle wreck in 2002 when he hit a wall at 120 mph. After 21 months of rehab he learned how to walk again, and in 2006 was able to run. Brain has now completed 40 half marathons, eight full marathons and five ultra marathons to date.

Best of luck to everyone competing in the 2014 Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by New Balance!