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.

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, The Pickle Juice Company products 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

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

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:

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 | 7:00am – 8:30am

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

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 Non-Binary
• Top 3 Para Male
• Top 3 Para Female
• Top 3 Single Speed Male
• Top 3 Single Speed Female
• Top 3 Team Relay
• Top 3 Tandem Teams
• Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female in the following age categories:
  • 19-under
  • 20-29
  • 30-39
  • 40-49
  • 50-59
  • 60-69
  • 70+

Awards Rules:

• Overall podiums will be removed from age group awards
• 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

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.

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

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

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.

​Unlock your full potential with our coaching partner Boundless Coaching, specializing in personalized endurance training for athletes of all levels. Boundless Coaching provides one-on-one guidance tailored to your unique goals and schedule. Whether you’re aiming to complete your first race or conquer a 100-mile+ mile distances, the Boundless Coaching team is dedicated to helping you succeed.

We thank our sponsors for making the Life Time Leadville MTB Stage Race 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.