OFFICIAL RULES

Enforcement and Penalties:

• Race rules are in place to ensure a safe and fair experience for everyone involved.
• The Race Director/Race Officials have ultimate authority to change, void, or amend rules as needed in unforeseen or extenuating circumstances.
• All event participants, their crews, and spectators are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by all rules on this page, as well as following any guidance or direction given by the Race Officials.
• Disregard or violation of any rules by a participant, their crew, or their spectators may result in disqualification at the discretion of the Race Director and Race Officials.
• If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact us at leadville@ltevents.zendesk.com

Be a Good Human

• Leave No Trace
  • No garbage, clothing, or race-related items may be left on course.
• No Public Urination
• No Profanity
• Support Everyone
  • In a world where you can be anything — be kind.

Safety and Medical Regulations

• All participants must provide a working emergency contact number that is not their own.
  • International participants must provide a working WhatsApp or equivalent international number.
• Courses remain open to the public. Participants must stay alert and follow directions from race officials, medical personnel, law enforcement, or local authorities.
• Participants in need of medical assistance should seek help at the nearest aid station. In emergencies, dial 911.
• The use of IV fluids during the race is prohibited and results in immediate disqualification.
• In case of weather or other emergencies, participants must follow instructions provided by race officials.

Support Crews and Outside Support

• Support crews, friends, and family members are only allowed at official crewing locations on the course.
• Support offered outside of official crew checkpoints will result in disqualification.
• Each event has specific crewing guidelines and approved crewing locations. Refer to each event page for detailed information.
• Registered racers on the course can provide mechanical support, navigation assistance, or any other help to fellow athletes.
• Athletes may receive “neutral” support at stationary locations accessible to all participants.

Course Integrity

• The official race course must be followed at all times. Shortcuts or alternate routes are not permitted.
• Athletes are responsible for safely navigating the course.
• All Leadville Race Series courses are clearly marked, but we recommend using GPS devices as a backup.

• GPS files are available on each event page for navigation assistance.

Packet Pick-up

• All participants must register by the designated deadline.
• Riders must sign a waiver and agree to event terms and conditions.
• All athletes must check-in and pick up their race packet in order to participate.
• Event packets will be given out to registered athletes only.
• A government-issued photo ID will be required for sign-in.
• Participants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s consent, and the guardian must be present at check-in.
• Age limits vary by event—check event details.

Timing and Results

• Athletes must pass over the timing mats at each official checkpoint.
• Cut-off times will be established at each checkpoint for rider safety. If you reach a checkpoint after the cut-off time, your time will not be scored, and you will no longer be an official participant.
• Please see individual event pages for course cutoff times.
• Do not bend or wrap race plates — they must be mounted/worn properly, clearly visible and intact for safety and timing.
• Time penalties or disqualifications will be issued for rule violations.
• Age group, gender, and overall results will be based on official event classifications (may vary by event).
• DNFs must be reported to timing officials.

Protests and Appeals

• Protests must be submitted to the event director no later than 30 minutes before the awards ceremony.
• Final decisions will be made by the event director and officials panel (event dependent).

Environmental Stewardship

• Respect all local laws and private property. If the event accesses private land, riders must stay on course and may not pre-ride restricted sections.
• Follow guidance provided for environmentally sensitive areas.

Event Cancellation or Modification

• Cancellation/Modifications: Life Time reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or alter the event due to weather, safety concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Refund Policy: Refunds and deferrals will follow the event’s published policy.
• Lottery/Sellout Events: Some high-demand races may have unique deferral or refund options—see the event page for details.

Media Rules

• Media/Camera Crews must attend the mandatory media meeting.
• They must abide by all rules on this page, as well as the additional media rules:
  • 100 MTB Media Info
  • 100 Run Media Info

Equipment

• Bicycles
  • Mountain bikes are allowed and must be in safe working condition.
  • Check individual event rules for additional bike eligibility.
  • Riders must finish on the same frame and fork they started on.
  • Wheels and equipment may be changed at designated checkpoints, but frame and fork must remain the same.
• Mandatory Gear
  • A properly secured helmet is required at all times while riding.
  • Rear lights are recommended and may be required at some events.
  • Front lights are recommended and may be required at certain events.
• Recommended Gear
  • GPS device for navigation (courses may not be marked)
  • Spare tubes, tire plugs, tools
  • Hydration and nutrition sufficient for the full course
  • Aid stations may not have all needed items — come prepared to self-support.

Course Rules

• Riders must stay on the designated course unless instructed otherwise by event staff.
• Riders must follow all local and state bicycle safety laws:
  • Ride as far right as safely possible.
  • Stop fully at stop signs unless otherwise permitted by law.
  • Courses are open to traffic — obey all traffic laws and ride safely.
• Start Procedures
  • Corral Assignment: If the event uses an assigned start corral, participants must start in the corral designated on their race plate. Early or incorrect starts may result in disqualification.
  • Late arrivals must start in the final corral.
  • Races will begin with a horn or rolling wave starts. Follow the instructions of start line personnel.
• Shortcuts or course deviations will result in disqualification. Riders who exit the course must re-enter at the same location.
• Yield to emergency vehicles and follow all instructions from course marshals and officials.
• Drafting behind vehicles is strictly prohibited.

Support

• Riders must be self-supported unless neutral aid is provided.
• Outside assistance is only allowed at designated aid stations or checkpoints.
• Riders must carry equipment to address mechanical issues.
• Riders may assist other participants but only if both are competing in the event.

Safety

• Ride at a speed appropriate for your skill level and course conditions.
• Stop and assist riders in distress, and report issues to the nearest event official.
• Headphone Policy
  • No earbuds or over-the-ear headphones.
  • Bone-conduction headphones are allowed
• Riders must remain aware of their surroundings at all times.
  • Event officials may require removal of devices for safety reasons.

Togs and Aerobars

• Aerobars or clip-on inner bars are not allowed at Leadville Race Series MTB events.
• Traditional bar ends outside the grips are allowed.
• Togs are allowed but must be 2 inches or less in length.

Elite Category (Additional Rules)

• Athletes must select the elite category at the time of race registration.
• Life Time reserves the right to change a rider’s designation to their appropriate age group division before the race date, consulting the rider beforehand.
• Athletes racing in the pro/elite category will not be eligible for age group podiums.
  • All Pro/Elite riders are subject to random drug testing by USADA

Leadville Stage Race Relay Teams (Additional Rules)

• Relay team can have a maximum of 3 riders.
• Rider who starts the stage must finish the stage. No switching riders during each stage.
• One rider is allowed to ride more than one stage.

By participating in a Life Time MTB event, riders acknowledge these rules and agree to follow them.

The Leadville Race Series and Life Time teams are committed to offering race opportunities for para-athletes at all of our events in 2024 and beyond. Below is a list of common impairments that categorize an athlete to compete in the para category. This list is not comprehensive. If you have an impairment that is not listed here, and still believe that you should  qualify for the Para Category, please contact athlete services.

• Impaired Muscle Power: The muscles in the limbs or trunk are completely or partially paralyzed as a consequence of conditions such as spinal cord injury, polio, or spina bifida.
• Impaired Passive Range of Movement: Range of movement in one or more joints is permanently reduced due to trauma, illness or congenital deficiency (e.g. conditions such as arthrogryposis or joint contracture resulting from trauma).
• Limb Deficiency: A total or partial absence of bones or joints from birth, as a consequence of trauma (e.g. traumatic amputation) or illness (e.g. amputation due to cancer).
• Ataxia: Lack of muscle coordination due to problems with the parts of the central nervous system that control movement and balance, typical of conditions such as traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy.
• Athetosis: Repetitive and more or less continual involuntary movements caused by fluctuating muscle tone arising from problems in the central nervous system, typical of conditions such as cerebral palsy.
• Hypertonia: Abnormal increase in muscle tension with reduced ability of muscles to stretch, and joint stiffness, slowness of movement and poor postural adaptation and balance, due to problems in the central nervous system, typical of conditions such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and stroke.
• Short Stature: Standing height and limb length are reduced due to conditions such as achondroplasia and osteogenesis imperfecta.
• Leg Length Difference: Minimum of 7 cm length difference due to trauma, illness, or congenital conditions.
• Vision Impairment: Vision is impacted by either an impairment of the eye structure, optical nerve/pathways or the part of the brain controlling vision (visual cortex).Intellectual
• Impairment: Limited intellectual functions and adaptive behavior which must be diagnosed before the age of 18 (e.g. autism).