STAGES CYCLING LEADVILLE TRAIL 100 MTB
August 12, 2023
This is it, the race of all races. One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away.
2023 Lottery results were announced on 1/9/23. All entrants were notified of their status via email.
View the 2023 event schedule below.
In 2022, we made the following changes to the LT100 MTB event program. The following will remain unchanged in 2023:
- Awards will be taking place on Saturday night at 7:00 PM following the completion of the race.
- A finish fest with live music will accompany the awards ceremony.
- Belt buckles will be given away in the finish chute.
- Finisher jackets will be printed and mailed to all athletes.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
- 1:00pm-7:00pm – Packet Pickup / Expo
- 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
Friday, August 11, 2023
- 10:00am – Mandatory Athlete Meeting
- Location: Lake County High School Football field – outdoor venue
- 11:00am-5:00pm – Packet Pickup / Expo
- 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
- Drop Bags
- 11:00am-5:00pm
- Location: 316 Harrison Ave. Leadville Retail Store. **NOTE: NEW LOCATION** Not at the expo.
- Only clear plastic bags are allowed – please bring your own bags.
- Clearly label bags with your name, race number and which aid station it’s going to in large letters
- Drop Bag Return
- ~7:00pm Saturday – 5:00pm Sunday
- Location: 316 Harrison Ave
- Note: Any bags not picked up by 5pm Sunday will be donated to local charities!
- Location: 135 E 6th Street
Saturday, August 12, 2023 – RACE DAY!
- 5:00am-6:15am Corrals Open
- Location: Corner of 6th St & Harrison
- .Corral Notes:
-
- Wave times were updated for 2022, they will remain the same in 2023.
- We will be staging on Harrison Ave.! Look for your corral marker on Harrison or West 6th St.
- Waves are being used as a means to reduce congestion and create a safer race.
- Waves are now more balanced by total riders in each wave
- The white corral is now broken into 3 waves. These 3 waves are self-seeded.
- A total of 5 minutes has been added to cutoff all times from 2021 to ensure that all corrals have 12 hours to complete the race.
- All belt buckle times will be based on chip time so that no matter what wave you’re in and what time you cross the start/finish, you will have 12 hours to complete the race as an official finisher.
- 6:30am – RACE START — Gold AND Silver
- 6:32:30am – Red
- 6:35am – Green
- 6:37:30am – Purple
- 6:40am – Orange
- 6:42:30am – Blue
- 6:45am – White 1
- 6:47:30am – White 2
- 6:50:00am – White 3
-
- 12:00pm – 8:00pm – Post-Race Finish Festival
- 7:00pm – Post-Race Finish Festival & AWARDS:
- The awards Ceremony and finish fest will take place at 6th and Harrison on the stage.
- 3:30 – 3:50 pm 9-hour cutoff time for the Big Buckle*
- 6:30 – 6:50 pm 12-hour final cutoff time for completion of the race and the Small Buckle*
- Note:
- *Chip times will be used for all belt buckles*
- We will be shipping all finisher jackets directly to your door.
Sunday, August 13, 2023
- 8:00am – 9:00am Leadville Trail 10k Packet Pick-Up
- 9:00am Leadville 10k and FREE Kids Dash
- Location: Corner of 6th St & Harrison
- **NOTE: new start time for 2022**
- Please see the Leadville 10K event page for more information.
Entry Fees:
- 2023 LT100 MTB Entry Fee: $475
There are several ways to earn entry into the 2023 Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Please note athletes must be 18 years or older on the day of the race to participate in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Age group awards will be based on the age an athlete will be on race day – 8/12/23.
1. Lottery
The 2023 lottery will open on December 1st, 2022 and run until December 15th, 2022. Lottery results will be announced on January 9th, 2023.
For all the details on the selection process for the LT100 MTB lottery, head on over to our lottery page here.
If unsuccessful in the lottery process and you still wish to participate in the LT100 MTB, please check out some of the options below:
2. Leadville Trail 100 MTB Training Camp June 29th- July 2nd, 2023
Led by the best of the best, the Leadville Trail 100 MTB Camp could be your entry into the LT100 MTB. Register for the camp packaged with a LT100 MTB entry and you have a guaranteed spot into the sold-out race. As a camp participant, you will ride every mile of the LT100 course while paying special attention to the most grueling sections to help get you ready for your August race.
3. LT100 MTB Qualifiers
Our Leadville Race Series qualifier events provide a chance for riders to earn a coin for the LT100 MTB. Check out our full list of qualifier events here. Qualifier registration opens on January 10th, 2023.
4. Charity slots
Skip the lottery and guarantee your entry by registering with a charity. Competing on behalf of one of our official charity partners not only guarantees you a spot in the race but also provides you the opportunity to make an impact in the community.
View more info on the Leadville Race Series Charity Partner Program
5. Coaching + Entry packages. A limited number of Coaching + Entry packages are available through our official coaching partner, Boundless Coaching. Head on over to the Boundless Coaching website for more details.
6. Volunteer
Volunteer for any Leadville Race Series event (in Leadville) or have someone volunteer on your behalf, and you can earn preference in the lottery in the next year! Check out our volunteer page for more info and how to sign up.
** Please note, there are no changes for 2022, but there will be a change in volunteer hour requirements in 2023.
7. Life Time Member Early Access
Life Time members who have held a digital or in-club membership for at least 6 months prior to the lottery (6/1/22) are eligible for guaranteed entry into the LT100 MTB & LT100 Run events! Members can begin registering on 12/1/22 and the deadline to claim entry for Life Time members is 12/8/22.
- Member Guaranteed Registration – LT100 RUN & MTB: December 1-8, 2022
This is it, the granddaddy of all endurance MTB races. Get ready for a big day in the saddle. The 104-mile out-and-back course is in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. With a low point, 9,200 feet in Twin Lakes and a high point at Columbine Mine, topping out at 12,516 feet. The majority of the course is on forest rough service roads and high alpine two track with a little bit of singletrack to keep you on your toes. Come prepared, leave as a legend.
- 105 miles
- GPX / Interactive Map
- 11,928’ Elevation Gain
- 9,200’ Lowest Point
- 12,516’ Highest Point
Route map for LT100 MTB by Michael Melley on plotaroute.com
The 2023 LT100 MTB course will be identical to the 2021-2022 LT100 MTB course.
Note: The course was modified in 2021 to account for private property owners, as well as safety.
AID STATIONS
- Carter Summit – outbound (mile 10.5)
- Pipeline – outbound (mile 28.5)
- Twin Lakes Dam – outbound (mile 41)
- Columbine Mine – race turnaround (mile 51.8)
- Twin Lakes Dam – inbound (mile 63)
- Pipeline – inbound (mile 74.5)
- Carter Summit – inbound (mile 92.5)
Aid Station Supplies:
- Water
- Gu (Gels and drink)
- Coca-Cola products
- Fruit
- Cookies
- Potato Chips
- Salty snacks
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.
CUTOFFS
- Outbound
- 10:50am Twin Lakes – mile 40.8
- Inbound
- 2:35pm Twin Lakes – mile 63
- 3:35pm Pipeline – mile 74.7
- 3:30 pm – 3:50pm 9-hour cutoff time for the Big Buckle*
- 6:20pm Carter Summit – mile 92.5
- 6:30 pm – 6:50 12-hour final cutoff time for completion of the race and the Small Buckle*
- 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
AID STATIONS
- Carter Summit – outbound (mile 10.5)
- Pipeline – outbound (mile 28.5)
- Twin Lakes Dam – outbound (mile 41)
- Columbine Mine – race turnaround (mile 51.8)
- Twin Lakes Dam – inbound (mile 63)
- Pipeline – inbound (mile 74.5)
- Carter Summit – inbound (mile 92.5)
Aid Station Supplies:
- Water
- Gu (Gels and Roctane)
- Coca-Cola products
- Fruit
- Cookies
- Potato Chips
- Salty snacks
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.
- 9-hour cutoff time = BIG BUCKLE
- 12-hour 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.
NOTE: Top 5 men and women overall times will be based solely on gun time. In the event of a sprint finish for the top 5 overall, riders will be scored in the order in which they cross the finish line.
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
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 and spectators 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.
Each rider will be given 1 vehicle hang tag at registration – hang tags should be visible and will have your bib number on it. Only one vehicle per rider will be allowed to travel to aid stations.
CREW LOCATIONS:
There are 3 crew locations: riders will hit each location twice.
NOTE: crewing outside of these 3 locations is against official race rules and will result in disqualification of your rider.
PARKING:
- Attendants – will assist you with parking
- Park only in designated area
- Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation
Location 1: Pipeline
- Course mileage – 28.5 miles Outbound, 74.5 miles Inbound
- GPS Location
Location 2: Twin Lakes Dam
- Course Mileage – 41 miles Outbound, 63 miles Inbound
- GPS Location
Location 3: Twin Lakes Alternate
- Course mileage – 44 miles Outbound, 59 miles Inbound
- GPS Location
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.
Crew Rules:
Crew must abide by Lake Country & Chaffee County laws, race rules, listen and respect ALL Leadville Race Series Staff, Volunteers, and personnel in enforcement uniform or vests. If you fail to abide and respect our community you will be asked to leave and your athlete may be disqualified!
Crew Do’s:
- Crews can provide food, drinks and supplies
- Crews may furnish replacement bike parts and offer mechanical assistance. Ex: replacement chain.
- Pets are allowed – must be leashed and under control at all times.
- Setup permitted at sunrise on race day – 8/12/23.
Crew Don’ts – Grounds for Disqualification:
- Crewing outside of 3 official crew locations – Pipeline, Twin Lakes Dam & Twin Lakes Alternate.
- No crew bikes, please. Crews should allow adequate time to park and walk to aid stations.
- Riders must complete the entire course using the original bike frame, no changing of bikes is allowed.
- Littering
- Illegal parking
- No camping – arrive only on race day only
CREW SHUTTLES
We have an enhanced shuttle program for 2023 and we strongly encourage crews and spectators to use the FREE shuttles.
Please see the “Parking & Shuttles” tab for more info.
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 established a new parking plan in 2022 and the 2023 plan will be very similar. We know that with your help we can be great stewards of this community.
All athletes and spectators 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!
Crew Shuttles:
PLEASE NOTE: We expect updates to shuttle times in 2023.
- Race Day crew and shuttle access is provided from Community Field & High School lot to:
- Start/Finish
- Pipeline Aid Station
- Twin Lakes Dam area (expect a short walk)
- Thursday / Friday Shuttles will loop continuously from community fields to the expo
-
- Thursday 2:00pm – 8:00 pm
- Friday 11:00am – 5:00 pm
-
Saturday Shuttles:
- Community Fields to Start / Finish
- 5:00am – 7:00am
- Start/Finish to Community fields
- through 4:00 PM
- Shuttles will loop from Start/Finish and Community Fields, Pipeline, and to Twin Lakes Dam area.
- Community Fields to Pipeline
- Looping all day until 4:00 pm or until all riders/crews back to Leadville
- Pipeline to Twin Lakes
- Looping all day until 3:00 pm or all folks back to their cars and/or town.
- Along Hwy 82 and parking areas adjacent to Twin Lakes Dam to decrease congestion on the dam, and allow people to arrive in a timely manner.
- Community Fields to Pipeline
- Crew shuttles are at no charge and courtesy of Life Time.
- Crews are allowed at the following locations: Twin Lakes Dam, Pipeline, Twin Lakes alternate. Please see the “CREW & SPECTATOR” tab for more info.
- Pipeline Aid Station is a key location to drive and park with the most space available.
- No overnight camping/parking is allowed at any location. Security will be on site at Twin Lakes Dam on Friday night. Any tents set up Friday afternoon will be taken down per the United States Forest Service Policy.
- 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.
Visit the link below to view results and photos from the Leadville Trail 100 MTB
Timing Split SMS Updates – In order to get SMS updates when an athlete crossing a timing split, please visit Athlinks to sign up for alerts.
Note – due to back country terrain, there may be lag time on SMS alerts based on cell signal availability.
All athletes racing in the “Pro” category will be scored on gun time. Riders will be ranked in the order that they cross the finish line.
The 2023 Athlete Guide will be available one month out from the event. The 2022 Athlete Guide can be viewed below:
> View the 2022 Athlete Guide.
Continue to check back through race day for any final logistics updates. Remember to read this ahead of race day, and share it with your crew.
The awards Ceremony and Finish Fest will take place at 6th & Harrison from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM 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 12 hours to be considered an official finisher and receive their hoodie and beltbuckle.
AWARDS
- 1000 mile buckles
- 2000 mile buckles
- 11 year jackets
- Last Ass Over the Pass
- Age Group 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 Male*
- Overall Female*
*Overall male and female and pro 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 “Pro” 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.
TRASH AND RECYCLING
Our races aim to be Zero Waste. Look for recycling and compost bins at every aid station and start/finish. Please discard any waste in an appropriate container. Intentional littering on the course will be grounds for disqualification. The course—on trails both public and private—travels past many historic sites and through areas of exceptional beauty. Help us keep them pristine.
- This is a zero waste event.
- Our local zero waste non-profit, Cloud City Conservation Center, is hosting our recycling program.
- There will be recycling/compost containers at all full aid stations and at the start/finish line.
- Please place any waste in the proper bin.
- GU’s TerraCycle containers will also be available for disposal of nutrition related waste.
- Reminder – Intentional littering on the course will be grounds for disqualification.
Volunteer registration for the 2023 season will open on March 1st, 2023.
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 LT100 MTB, 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!
Medical Volunteers:
We are looking forward to having safe events and we’re excited to welcome our new medical volunteers. If you are a doctor, nurse, or EMT and would like to help in this capacity, please email Chris Yeager of Lake County Search and rescue for more information and to sign up as a medical volunteer.
Thanks in advance for your help — we couldn’t do it without you!
NEW! We have updated our deferral policies for the 2023 Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race.
90 + Day Out From Event:
- Defer into the following year, and repay 50% of the entry fee.
89 Days or Less From Event:
- Defer into the following year, and repay 100% of the entry fee.
No refunds or transfers.
The last day to defer a 2023 LT100 MTB entry is Friday, 8/4/23.
DROP BAG DROP OFF
Friday, 8/11/23: 11:00am-5:00pm
316 Harrison Ave, Leadville Race Series Retail Store
*NOTE: NEW LOCATION, NOT AT EXPO*
DROP BAG RETURN
Saturday, 8/12/23: ~7:00pm – 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
- Pipeline
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, Pipeline
- 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
Media applications for the 2023 Leadville Trail 100 MTB will open on June 1, 2023.
NOTE: Media who plan to fly a drone must also submit the following two applications, pilot license and drone registration to: janine.l.prout@usda.gov and Rebekah Gardiner of the USFS by August 5. Application links:
All media will be required to attend the media briefing at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 11 at 213 Harrison Ave.
Additional media inquiries can be directed to Jordan Titus.
MEDIA COURSE MAP BELOW:
For 200 athletes, partners, friends and fans, an evening at FREIGHT, Leadville’s premier event venue.
Guests can expect exceptional food from the Silver Dollar Saloon (sensitive to dietary needs and prepared with race performance in mind), an open bar with excellent drink, live music, and a brief program highlighting the incredible social impact that the Leadville Trail 100 has had over the years through the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation and Life Time Foundation.
All proceeds from the evening benefit those two charities; learn more about them and their missions here:
Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation
Buy Tickets HERE: https://give.ltfoundation.org/event/the-sugarloaf-pass-dinner-benefit/e401876
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 12,600 feet.
- See our complete LT100 MTB Packing List here.
RACE START & TIMELINE: Please give yourself plenty of time on race day, expect there to be a lot of traffic/parking may be difficult.
- 5:00am – Corrals open
- 6:15am – All athletes should be in their corrals with their bikes
- **Reminder – Be sure to have your bike plate affixed to your handlebars
- 6:25am – Unattended bikes will be removed
- 6:30am – RACE START — Gold AND Silver
- 6:32:30am – Red
- 6:35am – Green
- 6:37:30am – Purple
- 6:40am – Orange
- 6:42:30am – Blue
- 6:45am – White 1
- 6:47:30am – White 2
- 6:50:00am – White 3
NOTE: Belt buckle times are based on chip time, all corrals will have 12 hours to complete the race.
CORRAL RULES
- Riders will be in pre-assigned color-coded corrals. Corrals will be clearly marked.
- Riders must start in assigned corral.
- If you do not start in your assigned corral – you will be disqualified
- WHITE 1, 2, 3 will be SELF-SEEDED.
- We will be staging corrals on Harrison Ave. again in 2023.
Not in the right corral?
If you believe that you have a finish time that would place you in a faster corral, here are the steps needed:
- View our 2023 corral chart for corral assignments and eligible races.
- Send a screenshot or the direct link to your results to us at leadville@ltevents.zendesk.com for us to verify and consider re-corralling you.
- You will receive the final word on your corral by August 6th.
As one of the most well-known mountain bike races on earth, getting into the Leadville Trail 100 MTB has always been difficult. LT100 Qualifiers are long and tough, with lots of climbing. They are similar to the classic course at Leadville in that they consist mainly of rugged jeep roads of gravel and dirt. A qualifier event could not only gain you entry into the LT100 MTB, but it could also boost your corral starting position in the Race Across the Sky!
Rider starting positions will be organized in color-coded corrals. These positions will be based on a finish time from a previous (see corral chart) LT100 MTB finish/qualifier finish, or if you hold a current USAC or UCI Pro Cross Country Elite license. Please enter finish times or email a current photo of your USAC or UCI Pro Cross Country Elite license when prompted during the registration process. However, if you race a qualifier after previously gaining entry, you MUST email Athlete Services a direct link to your individual results so you will be placed accordingly. You will not be placed automatically. Corrals will be assigned as follows:
**CORRAL ASSIGNMENT TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE LEADVILLE RACE SERIES.**
Bike Flights
If you will be handling your own bike assembly and packing and box or case storage, ship your bike with our official bike shipping partner, Bike Flights.
Click here for more information.
Cycles of Life
Cycles of Life is a full service bike shop right in the town of Leadville, providing shipping services, 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, have your bike shipped directly to the shop where Cycles of Life 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 Cycles of Life shipping package options and details.
Colorado Mountain College will offer camping during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB weekend in 2023.
- Price: $100 for the weekend, Thursday night to Sunday night.
- Note: all proceeds benefit CMC Eagles Cross Country Running Team
- REGISTER HERE
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