Leadville MTB Stage Race 2024-440

July 24-26, 2026


Registration Opens 1/9/26

From 10,152 to 12,424 feet of Colorado Rocky elevation, the Life Time Leadville MTB Stage Race presented by Kenetik takes on the breathtaking backdrops and soul-refining climbs of the iconic LT100 MTB course across three exciting days — earning you a shot to qualify for the Life Time LT100 MTB along the way. With post-race dinners, daily awards and celebrations, you’ll step into the warm embrace of the Cloud City family of gritty, gutsy, determined cyclists — and never look back. Come for three days of high-altitude riding, stay to compete for a coveted belt buckle.

REGISTRATION & PRICING

Minimum age for participation:

  • 14+ on race day

Registration Date:

  • 1/9/26

TEAM/TANDEM: 

  • Captain/team leader registers team name and is charged for the team.
  • Each member must register themselves and add themselves to team name.

Relay Team:

  • Relay team can have max 3 riders.
  • Rider who starts the stage, must finish the stage. No switching riders during the stage.
  • One rider is allowed to ride more than one stage
Lottery & Qualification

DEFERRALS

2026 Deferral Deadline:

  • 7/23/26 at 5:00pm (start of packet pickup)

Please see our deferral policies page for complete information on deferrals.

VOLUNTEER

From the very beginning, volunteers have made the Leadville Race Series possible. We truly appreciate all that our great volunteers do to make our races run smoothly and to make the racers’ experience unforgettable. If you are going to be in town for the Leadville Trail 10k, we would love for you to join the family and pitch in.

Thanks in advance for your help — we couldn’t do it without you!

Head on over to our Volunteer information page for more info on how to sign up!

RESULTS & PHOTOS

Click the link below to view live race results and timing splits, courtesy of Athlinks

Results

Click the link below to sign up for SMS updates when your athlete crosses each timing split.
*Please note that due to backcountry terrain, there may be lag time on updates based on cell signal availability.

SMS Timing Updates

Click the link below to view and purchase your race day photos, courtesy of Marathonfoto.
*Please note that it may take up to 48 hours after the event for all photos to be uploaded.

Photos

EVENT SCHEDULE

2026 Schedule COMING SOON!

Thursday

Packet Pickup

  • 5:00pm-8:00pm
  • Location: LRS Retail Store – 316 Harrison Ave
    • Photo ID is required. Packets must be picked up in person. They will not be mailed or given to others.
    • Thursday Packet Pickup is STRONGLY encouraged to avoid the crowds.

Friday

Packet Pickup

Drop Bag Drop Off

  • 7:30am-8:45am
  • Location: Lake County Rodeo Grounds
  • Drop bags must be a clear plastic bag with no liquids
  • Neutral Tech – Cycles of Life will be onsite for neutral support for any last minute quick check overs!

Race Start – Day 1 – 40 Miles

Race Shuttles

  • 12:00pm-2:00pm
  • Twin Lakes Dam to Lake County Rodeo Grounds
  • Race Shuttles will be taking racers back to the Lake County Rodeo Grounds
  • Bikes are not allowed on Shuttles. There will be overnight security.

Note: If you did not sign up for a race shuttle during registration, you may:

  • Purchase a seat at packet pick up (based on availability)
  • $15 for one day and $25 for both

Awards/ Post-Race Dinner / Entertainment

Saturday

Race Start- Day 2 – 22 Miles

  • 9:00am
  • Start/Finish at Twin Lakes Dam
  • Note: Carpooling is highly encouraged to limit traffic and parking issues. There are no shuttles for day 2.
  • Athletes can leave their bikes at the Twin Lakes Dam after Day 2 finish. There will be overnight security for bikes in this area.
  • Neutral Tech – Cycles of Life will be onsite for neutral support, or check on any mechanical issues

Awards/ Post-Race Dinner / Entertainment

Sunday

Race Shuttles

  • 6:00am-7:30am
    • Shuttles will run in a loop.
    • First shuttles leaving at 6:00am
  • Location: Lake County Rodeo Grounds
  • Race Shuttles will be picking up athletes at the Lake County Rodeo Grounds for the Twin Lakes Dam drop-off. Bikes are not allowed on shuttles.
  • Neutral Tech – Cycles of Life will be onsite for neutral support, or check on any mechanical issues

Note: If you did not sign up for a race shuttle during registration, you may:

  • Purchase a seat at packet pick up (based on availability)
  • $15 for one day and $25 for both

Drop Bag Drop Off

Race Start- Day 3 – 41 Miles

  • 9:00am
  • Start: Twin Lakes Dam
  • Finish: Lake County Rodeo Grounds

Post-Race

Awards Ceremony and LT100 MTB Qualifier Coin Drawing

COURSE INFO

COURSE

The 100-mile out-and-back course, split into 3 stages, in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. Low point of 9,209 feet is located at the Twin Lakes dam. The high point is Columbine Mine, at 12,497 feet. The majority of course is on mountain two-track fire roads. A sub 11-hour finish time is required to be considered an official Stage Race Finisher.




Distances subject to change.

Please note: Due to safety restrictions on the course wheelchair participation is not permitted.

All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

This event is held on the San Isabel National Forest under a special use permit.

AID STATIONS

There will be well-stocked aid stations along the course each day.

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

AID STATION LOCATIONS: 

Stage 1:

Carter Summit | Mile 10

Outward Bound | Mile 24

Stage 2:

Columbine Summit | Mile 11

Stage 3:

Outward Bound | Mile 15.4

Carter Summit | Mile 29.6

ON-COURSE NUTRITION

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

Here’s what you’ll find on course:

C60 High-Carbohydrate Sports Drink – Citrus and Unflavored – A mix of C30 formula to provide a 60 gram offering
C30 Energy Gels – Citrus, Passion Fruit, and Orange
C30+ Energy Gels (caffeinated) – Cola and Berry

There is a lot of mixed information when it comes to eating or drinking in the last hour before competition. Taking in some carbohydrate may help, because it provides extra fuel that may be needed, especially during longer events. However, it can also result in so called rebound hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia with symptoms of weakness, dizziness and nausea. So, it can have positive as well as negative effects? What should we do? This blog will give you the ins and outs.

Read The Full Article
How To Avoid GI Problems

Skratch Labs – Hydration Mix, Energy Bars & Chews

Real fuel. Real flavor. Real results.
Skratch Labs is proud to support this year’s athletes with on-course hydration and energy that helps you perform and tastes great—no gut bombs, no gimmicks.
Here’s what you’ll find throughout the course:
💧 Sport Hydration Drink Mix – Lemon + Lime, Strawberry + Lemonade, Raspberry Limeade
🍫 Energy Bars – Peanut Butter + Chocolate, Cinnamon + Oatmeal
🍬 Energy Chews – Lemon + Green Tea, Sour Cherry, Grape
You train too hard to be sidelined by your fueling. Skratch gives you real food fuel and no nonsense to slow you down. Great fueling is personal, and Skratch makes it easier to get it right.
Try It Free + Learn More

CREW INFO

We recognize crews as an important part of the Leadville Race Series family. Crew pets must be leashed and under control at all times. Crews are welcome at Twin Lakes and Outward Bound aid stations. Crews should allow adequate time to park and walk to aid stations. Crew vehicles are not allowed on any dirt road sections of the course. Riders are responsible for the actions of their crews. Crews will not be allowed to access the base of Powerline or obstruct the junction of the paved road and jeep road where riders leave Powerline to head for Pipeline.

Getting to Outward Bound, crews should proceed south on Hwy 24 approximately 3 miles, then west on Hwy 300 for 1.8 miles. The aid station will be in the grassy area on the south side of the road.

Shuttles will be providing transportation for athletes from the Twin Lakes Dam finish line back to the Lake County Rodeo Grounds. No bikes are allowed on the shuttles, overnight bike storage will be available at Twin Lakes Dam.

In an effort to maintain positive community relationships, it’s important to be aware our race courses cross multiple Private Property Sections including, but not limited to the following areas: Powerline, Sugar Loaf Mountain, County Road 2, near Oro City Aid Station, County Road 1 near Ball Mountain.

PARKING & SHUTTLES

Parking:

 

  1. Lake County Rodeo Grounds (see map above) | 231 McWethy Drive, Leadville, CO 80461
  2. Twin Lakes Dam/County Road 25 | Take Hwy. 24 south for 11 miles. Turn west on Hwy. 82 for approximately 3/4 mile then left on Lake County Road 25

 

Shuttle Service:

Shuttles are reserved for athletes only.

Shuttle tickets are available for purchase by cash or card via QR code at Packet Pick Up.

$15 for single day, $25 for both

 

Shuttles are available on Day 1 and Day 3 as follows:

Day 1 | Twin Lakes Dam to Lake County Rodeo Grounds | 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Day 3 | Lake County Rodeo Grounds to Twin Lakes Dam | 6:00am – 7:30am

Note: No bikes are allowed on the shuttles. Secure overnight storage will be provided at the Twin Lakes Dam after Day 2 finish.

AWARDS

Daily Presentation

At the post-race dinner on each day, we will announce the daily stage winners.

Awards Ceremony

All athletes who finish the Leadville Stage Race in under 11 hours will receive a custom belt and a finisher belt buckle.

  • Riders who finish in under 8.5 hours will receive a LARGE buckle
  • Riders who finish in under 11 hours will receive a SMALL buckle

Awards Categories:

  • Top 3 Overall Male
  • Top 3 Overall Female
  • Top 3 Para Male
  • Top 3 Para Female
  • Top 3 Non-Binary
  • Top 3 Singlespeed Male & Female
  • Top 3 Team Relay
  • Tandem
  • Top 3 age group Male & Female
    • 19-under
    • 20-29
    • 30-39
    • 40-49
    • 50-59
    • 60-69
    • 70+

Awards Rules:

  • Overall top 3 male and female are taken out of their age groups. 
  • Age group awards will be based on the age an athlete will be on RACE DAY.
  • Relay Teams are not eligible to earn a coin into the LT100 MTB

LT100 MTB QUALIFICATION SYSTEM

The Leadville MTB Stage Race is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB.

There are a minimum of 35 LT100 qualifier coins up for grabs at each of the Leadville Race Series qualifier events.

  • Qualifier coins will only be given to athletes who finish the longest distance race.
  • Coin winners MUST BE PRESENT at the awards ceremony and claim their entry immediately.
  • Coin winners must complete and pay for their registration for the Leadville Trail 100 during the designated time offered.
  • All registration fees for the LT100 are non-transferable, nonrefundable, and subject to the Leadville Race Series deferral policies.

The 35 coins will be distributed based on overall, age group, and division performance, as well as an event lottery at the end of the awards ceremony.

PERFORMANCE-BASED COIN DISTRIBUTION

The performance based coins will be distributed to the top overall performances, as well as the top performances of each category. The distribution is simple:

  • OVERALL: The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place of the men’s and women’s overalls will each receive a coin. Overall winners will be removed from their respective age groups. Any coin that is not accepted by the overall winners will go into the lottery.
  • All remaining categories will receive (1) coin for the top podium spot.
  • If an athlete from the age group or division categories elects to not accept their slot, the coin will “roll down” to the next top athlete in their category until accepted.
LOTTERY
  • The event lottery is available to all official finishers who completed the longest distance within the official course cutoff time.
  • TO ENTER THE LOTTERY: simply put the lottery tear-off tab bearing your unique number from your race plate into the drawing when they are called for after the awards ceremony.
  • Names will be randomly drawn in the lottery from all eligible and interested athletes to distribute these coins until none remain.

Visit our LT100 MTB Qualification System page for more information.

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