OFFICIAL RULES

1. 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.

  • Media/Camera Crews must attend the mandatory media meeting. They must abide by the rules set in place on this page, as well as the additional media rules:

  • 100 MTB Media Info

  • 100 Run Media Info

  • 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.

  • In the event of a pandemic, disaster, or any unforeseen circumstance that forces the cancellation of the event, please refer to our deferral policies.

  • If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact us at leadville@ltevents.zendesk.com

2. Safety/Medical:

• • Safety is the top priority. Remember, these are public roads and not closed for the event. Stay aware of all areas of the course at all times.

  • Racers and crews are responsible for their actions and can impact the racer’s status. Respect all humans, vehicles, and wildlife on the course, including private citizens living near or on the course.

  • Intravenous fluids (I.V.s) are not permitted during the race. If a racer receives an I.V. for any reason, they are no longer allowed to continue in the race.

  • Report any medical issues to the medical team at the nearest aid station. In an emergency without an aid station, call 911.

  • In case of race delays due to inclement weather, disasters, or unforeseen circumstances, follow the guidelines provided by the Race Director/Race Officials for your safety.

3. 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 from local residents at stationary locations accessible to all participants.

4. 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.

5. Timing and Checkpoints:

• • 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.

  • Challenges to any race result must come from a registered participant.

  • A challenge can be made in person or via email to leadville@ltevents.zendesk.com

  • Any challenges must be received no later than 24 hours after the race finish line closes.

6. Packet Pick-up:

• • All athletes must check-in and pick up their race packet in order to participate.

  • A government-issued photo ID will be required for sign-in.

  • Event packets will be given out to registered athletes only.

Along with the Official Leadville Race Series Rules posted above, athletes participating in MTB events are responsible for knowing and abiding by the following additional rules:

1. Colorado State Highway Rules/Regulations:

• • Athletes must interact responsibly with local vehicle traffic.
  • Athletes must follow all Colorado Bicycle Laws, including the following:
    • Helmet Requirement: Wear a helmet at all times.
    • Carry ID and Medical Information.
    • Follow the rules of the road, with the same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle.
    • Ride single file when necessary and a maximum of two abreast when conditions allow. Do not impede traffic.
    • Ride as far right as reasonable.
    • Obey all traffic lights, signs, regulations, and course signage indicating racer lanes, direction, or location.
    • Pass on the left only, announcing “passing,” “hello,” or “on your left.”
    • Respect others, including riders, volunteers, host communities, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement, and the environment.

2. Ear Buds and Headphones:

• • Racing with earbuds or headphones is not allowed.

3. Approved Bicycle:

• • Your bicycle must consist of a frame mounted on two wheels, with a seat and handlebars for steering.
  • It should be propelled solely by the operator using two pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain or belt.
  • Two hand-operated brakes are required (fixed gear and coaster brake bikes are not exempt from this rule).

4. Bicycle Frame & Parts:

• • You must utilize the same bicycle frame for the entire race. However, you can swap out other components at designated checkpoints. Athletes may assist each other on the course with parts.

5. Singlespeed Riders:

• • If you’re riding a singlespeed bicycle, you must maintain the same gearing for the entire race.

6. Aero Bars and Clip-on Extensions:

• • In the interest of safety, aero bars or clip-on inner bar extensions are no longer allowed at Leadville Race Series MTB events. 
  • Traditional bar ends located outside of the grip are still permitted.
  • Togs are permitted.

7. Helmet Requirement:

• • All athletes must wear a helmet while operating their bicycle.

8. Drafting:

• • Drafting on another event participant is allowed.
  • Drafting on a non-participant cyclist or motorized vehicle will result in disqualification.

9. 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

10. Leadville Stage Race Relay Team Rules:

• • Relay team can have max 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.

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).