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August 19, 2023

This is it. The Race of All Races. Where it all began.

In 1983, 45 tough-minded runners braved 100 miles of high-altitude, extreme Rocky Mountain terrain — starting at 10,200 feet, climbing to 12,600 feet and running into global endurance history. Today, the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 RUN presented by La Sportiva is one of the oldest, most storied endurance running events in the world — with not one, but two climbs on the crux of the course: Hope Pass (12,600 feet). Every year, a select handful of gritty, gutsy and determined runners make the pilgrimage to Cloud City to Race Across the Sky and take their shot at etching their name among the Leadville Legendary. The red carpet awaits.

HISTORY

The “Race Across the Sky” was first held in 1983 and was created by Ken Chlouber, a local miner who wanted to bring attention to the town of Leadville after the closure of the Climax Mine. It has since become one of the most iconic ultramarathons in the world. Over the years, the Leadville Trail 100 Run has attracted top athletes from around the globe as they come to Leadville for the ultimate test of Grit, Guts and Determination, on their quest for the coveted silver and gold beltbuckle.

WATCH

Get ready to experience the thrill of the Leadville Race Series like never before! From heart-pumping climbs to exhilarating descents, our videos capture the beauty and challenge of this legendary race. Don’t miss out on the action – check out our 2022 highlight video now and get ready to be inspired!

Race Across the Sky Expo

Head to downtown Leadville for the free, outdoor, open-to-the-public Race Across the Sky Expo. While you check-in and pick up your swag bag, you can give your friends and family a taste of that Cloud City magic. From free swag and bike demos to live podcasts and beer tents, the Expo offers the perfect complement to two of the most prestigious endurance events on the planet.

COURSE

The LT100 Run course is a brutal out-and-back ultramarathon that will push even the toughest runners to their limits.The course starts and finishes in Leadville, but the true challenge is the rugged and unrelenting terrain along the way. The course includes steep climbs of Powerline, high-altitude passes like Sugarloaf, and technical terrain on the Colorado Trail, all amounting to over 18,000 feet of elevation gain. The course reaches a peak elevation of 12,600 feet above sea level on the crux of the course, Hope Pass, where runners will gasp for breath and question their sanity. The LT100 Run race course is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are up to the challenge, it is an unforgettable experience.

2023 EVENT SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023

  • 10:00am – Mandatory Athlete Meeting
  • 11:00am – 5:00pm – Packet Pickup / Expo / Drop Bags
    • 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
  • 11:00am – 5:00pm Drop Bags
    • Location: 316 Harrison Ave **NOTE: NEW LOCATION** Drop bags at Leadville Retail Store.
    • Only clear plastic bags are allowed
    • Clearly label bags with your name, race number and aid station in large letters
    • Drop Bag Return
      • ~8:00am Sunday
      • Location: 316 Harrison Ave **NOTE: NEW LOCATION** Drop bags at Leadville Retail Store.
      • Note: Any bags not picked up by 5pm Sunday will be donated to local charities!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023 – RACE DAY!

  • 3:00am – 3:45am Starting Line Open
  • 4:00am RACE START
  • Cutoff Times – Saturday
    • 7:45am – Mayqueen cutoff (outbound)
    • 10:00am – Outward Bound cutoff (outbound)
    • 11:30am – Half Pipe cutoff (outbound)
    • 1:30pm – Twin Lakes Village cutoff (outbound)
    • 4:00pm – Hope Pass cutoff (outbound)
    • 6:00pm – Winfield cutoff (turnaround)
    • 10:00pm – Twin Lakes Village cutoff (inbound)
  • FINISH LINE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2023

  • FINISH LINE
  • Cutoff Times – Sunday
    • 1:15am – Half Pipe (inbound)
    • 3:00am – Outward Bound (inbound)
    • 5:00am – 25 Hour Cutoff Time – Runners that finish under 25hrs will get the BIG buckle (based on chip time)
    • 6:30am – Mayqueen (inbound)
    • 10:00am – 30 Hour Cutoff Time – Runners that finish under 30hrs will get “small” buckle (based on chip time)
  • 12:00pm Awards Ceremony
    • Location: Lake County High School Football field – outdoor venue
    • All awards will be presented at this time and must be picked up in person.
    • Awards will not be given to others and will not be distributed before or after the awards ceremony.
    • Note: Belt buckles will be given away in the finish chute & finisher jackets will be printed and mailed to all athletes.

Entry Fees:

  • 2023 LT100 Run Entry Fee: $395

There are several ways to get entry into the 2023 Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva.

Please note athletes must be 18 years or older on the day of the race to participate in the Leadville Trail 100 Run. Age group awards will be based on the age an athlete will be on race day – 8/20/23.

  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 100 lottery, head on over to our lottery page here.

If unsuccessful in the lottery process and you still wish to participate in the LT100 Run, please check out some of the options below:

  1. Leadville Traill 100 RUN Camp + Entry Package – June 23th – June 25th, 2023

Led by the best of the best, the Leadville Trail 100 Run Camp could be your entry into the LT100 Run. Register for the camp packaged with an LT100 Run entry and you have a guaranteed spot into the sold-out race.

  1. Qualifier Events

Our Leadville Race Series qualifier events provide a chance for runners to earn a coin for the LT100 Run. Check out our full list of qualifier events here.

  1. 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

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Life Time Member Early Access

Life Time members who have held a digital or in-club membership for at least 12 months prior to the lottery are eligible for guaranteed entry into the LT100 MTB & LT100 Run events!

The 100-mile out-and-back course is in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. Low point, 9,200 feet; high point is Hope Pass, 12,600 feet. Majority is on forest trails with some mountain roads. Pacers allowed after the 62-mile point.

There are 13 aid stations along the course, 11 completely stocked aid stations and 2 hydration-only (Coke & Water) stations.

Aid Station 1: Mayqueen (Outbound)

  • Outbound cutoff time: 7:45 AM
  • GPS link
  • Outbound Mileage: 12.6
  • **New for 2023 and beyond** No crew & spectator parking will be allowed at Mayqueen. You will be required to shuttle to Mayqueen.

Aid Station 2: Outward Bound (Outbound)

  • Outbound cutoff time: 10:00 AM
  • GPS link
  • Outbound Mileage: 23.5
    • Inbound Cutoff: 3:00 AM
    • Inbound Mileage: 76.9
  • Access: via HWY 300, look for parking crews

Aid Station 3: Half Pipe (Outbound) NO CREW ACCESS

  • Outbound cutoff time: 11:30 AM
  • Outbound Mileage: 29.3

Mini Mount Elbert: Hydration Station Only (Outbound) NO CREW ACCESS

  • Outbound Mileage: 35.4

Aid Station 4: Twin Lakes Village (Outbound)

  • Outbound cutoff time: 1:30 PM
  • GPS link
  • Outbound Mileage: 37.9
  • NOTE: SEE CREW & SPECTATOR TAB FOR INFO ON TWIN LAKES VILLAGE ACCESS

Aid Station 5: Hope Pass (Outbound) NO CREW ACCESS

  • Outbound cutoff time: 4:00 PM
  • Outbound Mileage: 43.5
  • Inbound Mileage: 56.9

Aid Station 6: Winfield (turnaround) (NO CREW ACCESS)

  • Outbound cutoff time: 6:00 PM

Aid Station 7: Twin Lakes Village (Inbound)

  • Inbound Cutoff: 10:00 PM
  • Inbound Mileage: 62.5

Mini Mount Elbert – Hydration station only (Inbound) NO CREW ACCESS

  • Inbound Mileage: 64.2

Aid Station 8: Half Pipe (Inbound) NO CREW ACCESS

  • Inbound Cutoff: 1:15 AM
  • Inbound Mileage: 71.1

Aid Station 9: Outward Bound (Inbound)

  • Inbound Cutoff: 3:00 AM
  • Inbound Mileage: 76.9
  • Access: via HWY 300, look for parking crews

Aid Station 10: Mayqueen (Inbound)

  • Inbound Cutoff: 6:30 AM
  • **New for 2023 and beyond** No crew & spectator parking will be allowed at Mayqueen. You will be required to shuttle to Mayqueen.

Finish Cutoff: 10:00 AM

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.

Course history

In 2021 the decision was made to remove pacer and crew access from Winfield. This was due to overall impact in Winfield and congestion on Hope Pass. This will remain unchanged in 2023 and no pacers OR crew will be allowed access to Winfield.

To earn the coveted silver and gold of the Leadville Trail 100 beltbuckle, you must finish the race in under 30 hours for the small buckle and under 25 hours for the big buckle.

All buckle times are based on individual runner chip times, as they have been in years past. See the definition of chip time vs. gun time below.

  • 25-hour cutoff time = BIG BUCKLE
  • 30-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
  • 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.

2023 Crew & Spectator Info:

In collaboration with the Lake County Health Department and USFS, we are limiting each runner to the following:

  • 1 vehicle hang tag
  • Hang tags should be visible and will have your bib number on it.

Crew Shuttles:

Crew shuttles will be offered beginning at 7:00 AM. Check the “Parking & Shuttles” tab for a complete shuttle schedule and map.

Crew Locations:

There are 4 official crewing locations with vehicle access. Runners will hit each location twice.

  1. Outward Bound (GPS link)
  2. Pipeline (GPS link)
  3. Twin Lakes (GPS link)
  4. Mayqueen – For 2023 and beyond, no crew & spectator parking will be allowed at Mayqueen. You will be required to shuttle to Mayqueen.

Note: Crewing outside of these 4 locations is against official race rules and may result in disqualification of your runner.

Parking:

  • Attendants will assist you with parking, look for orange vests.
  • Park only in designated areas.
  • Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation.
  • Aid stations do experience parking congestion. Be prepared to walk long distances, especially at Twin Lakes.
  • Be courteous to our local community and residents, and other crews, when parking.

CREW RULES: Crew must abide by Lake County & 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
  • Pets are allowed – must be leashed and under control at all times
  • Setup permitted at Sunrise on 8/20 – DAY USE ONLY, all day use subject to USFS fees. No camping allowed.
  • Crews should allow adequate time to walk to aid stations, expect crowds and congestion.
  • Carpooling is encouraged! All vehicles must have a hang tag.

CREW DON’TS – GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

  • No crewing outside of official crew locations – Outward Bound, Pipeline & Twin Lakes, Mayqueen.
  • Littering
  • Illegal parking
  • No camping – arrive only on race day

In order to alleviate our impact and continue to permit our event over Hope Pass and into Winfield, we have worked closely with the USFS on an updated plan:

Winfield: No crew, spectators or pacers will be allowed in Winfield.

  • Winfield Aid station will be well-stocked
  • LRS Staff, Medical personnel and volunteers will be onsite
  • DNFs or athlete that do not make the cutoff will be transported back to Leadville
  • Drop bags will be available for athletes and are encouraged!
  • NOTE: LRS staff will be on-site managing vehicles coming in/out at Winfield. Do not attempt to drive a personal or crew vehicle to Winfield, you will be turned around.

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 & Spectator Shuttles:

PLEASE NOTE: We expect updates to shuttle times in 2023.

Community Field & High School/Middle School lots to:

  • Start/Finish
  • Outward Bound Aid Station
  • Twin Lakes village

Friday Expo Shuttles

  • Will loop continuously from community fields to the expo
  • 11:00am – 5:00pm

Community Fields to Start/Finish

  • Dedicated service from 3:00am looping through 4:30am
  • Paused for start from 4:00am until runners are across Mcwethy
  • Available 4:00am until all crews/spectators are back to their vehicles
  • As needed from 4:30am – 10:00pm Aug. 20th.
  • Dedicated service Aug. 20th 10:00pm through 10:00am Sunday Aug.21st

Community Fields to Outward Bound

  • As needed from 4:30am – 7:00am Aug. 20th
  • Dedicated service from 7:00am – 12:30pm
  • As needed from Leadville to OB from 12:30pm – 10:00pm
  • Dedicated service from OB to Leadville 10:00pm – race finish

Outward Bound – Twin Lakes

  • ** Outward Bound PARKING ENCOURAGED**
  • Looping from 8:00am – 11:00pm or until all crews/spectators are back to their vehicles.

HWY 82 Shuttles

  • Shuttles will also be moving along HWY 82 to bring spectators/crews safely to Twin Lakes village –
    • As needed from 8:00am – 10:00am
    • Dedicated service 10:00am – 11:00pm
  • PLEASE FOLLOW ALL PARKING STAFF IN THIS AREA.
    • Crew shuttles are at no charge and courtesy of Life Time.
    • Crews are allowed at the following locations:
      • Mayqueen
      • Outward Bound
      • Pipeline
      • Twin Lakes Village
      • Please see the “PACER & CREW INFORMATION” tab, as well as the “Aid Stations & Course Cutoffs” Tab on our website for more info regarding where crews are allowed or not.

Village of Twin Lakes Shuttles: If you intend to drive to Twin Lakes, there will be spectator shuttles to bring you from various parking locations to the village of Twin Lakes.

You are permitted to park along Highway 82 and shuttles will pick up at these 3 locations and drop off in Twin Lakes Village:

  • Moache Fishing Site ~ 0.4 miles (GPS Link)
  • Mt. Elbert Powerplant ~ 2 miles (GPS Link)
  • HWY 82 & CR 25 ~ 0.4 miles (GPS Link)

Winfield Shuttles: for athletes only

We will transport all runners in need of a shuttle from Winfield back to Twin Lakes.

  • Departure Times beginning at 1:00 PM
  • Running roughly once on the hour every hour until roughly 7:30 PM

In the interest of keeping all athletes as safe and warm as possible, we will run these shuttles to and from Winfield and Twin Lakes only, and not back to Leadville. Please call your awesome humans to meet you in Twin Lakes. You WILL have cell service once you are back past Granite on the shuttle to Twin Lakes – so you can make arrangements at that point.

2022 Results HERE

2022 Participant Photos HERE

Timing Split SMS Updates – In order to get SMS updates when an athlete crossing a timing split, please visit THIS LINK to sign up for alerts.

Note – due to backcountry terrain, there may be lag time on SMS alerts based on cell signal availability.

VIEW PAST RESULTS & PHOTOS

The 2023 athlete guide will be available one month before 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 will take place on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at the Lake County High School Football Field.

  • 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 30 hours to be considered an official finisher and receive their hoodie and beltbuckle.

Sunday, August 20, 2023:

  • 12:00pm Awards Ceremony

AWARDS

  • 1000 mile buckles
  • 2000 mile buckles
  • 11 year jackets
  • Last Ass Over the Pass (last official finisher)
  • 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
    • Non-binary Open
    • Overall Male
    • Overall Female
    • Para Male
    • Para Female

Age group awards will be based on the age an athlete will be on RACE DAY.

Overall male and female athletes will be removed from age group awards.

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 Run.

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 transfers.

A race entry can only be deferred one time and only to the following year’s event.

The last day to defer a 2023 LT100 Run entry is Friday, 8/11/23 at Midnight.

Want to defer your entry? Please email our athlete services manager with your name and the event from which you are deferring.

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

Drop bags must be placed in the Leadville Retail Store on Friday, 8/18/23, 11:00am – 5:00pm.

**NOTE: NEW LOCATION** Drop bags must be brought to the Leadville Retail Store: 316 Harrison Ave

CLEAR PLASTIC BAGS ONLY.

Note: Any bags not picked up by 5pm Sunday will be donated to local charities!

There are 5 locations on course that you can send drop bags:

  1. Mayqueen
  2. Outward Bound
  3. Half Pipe
  4. Twin Lakes
  5. Winfield

Remember that other than Winfield, you will pass through each aid station twice. Pro tip: send 2 bags together – one to be used for inbound and outbound.

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
  • Liquids – any liquids in your bag should be leak proof and in non-breakable containers

DROP BAG RETURN

  • Pick up by: Sunday August 20, 2023 by 6:00pm
  • Unclaimed drop bags will be donated to local charities the next day.
  • We will not mail drop bags.
  • Location:
  • Leadville Race Series Retail Store
  • 316 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461

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 rebekka.gardiner@usda.gov of the USFS by August 12. Application links:

  1. Special Use Permit Application
  2. National Forest Photography & Filming Request

All media will be required to attend the media briefing at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 18 at 213 Harrison Ave.

For 200 athletes, partners, friends and fans, an evening at FREIGHT, Leadville’s premier event venue.

Date: Thursday, 8/17/23.

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

Life Time Foundation

Special guests will include Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin, Founders of the Leadville Trail 100 and the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation and Kimo Seymour, Executive Director of the Life Time Foundation.

Boots and buckles admired, not required.

  • 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 Hope Pass without adequate warm and protective clothing. Remember, the summit is over 12,000′.
    • See our complete LT100 Run packing list here. 

Enter your goal finish time and see approximate race times, split times, and split paces required at various segments of the course for that desired finishing time.

Download file here.

PACER INFO

Pacers can pick up their runners at any point on course beginning at Twin Lakes inbound at mile 62.

Note: Winfield will not serve as a crew or pacer pickup location in 2023.

Each runner will receive 2 pacer bibs at packet pickup. If you require more than 2 pacers, you will have to transfer one pacer bib to the next pacer, or you can pick up a pacer bib at one of the following checkpoints:

  • Twin Lakes
  • Half Pipe**
  • Outward Bound
  • Mayqueen

**No vehicle access at this point so you will be required to hike or bike in to obtain pacer bibs and to meet your runner at these locations.

PACERS DO’S

  • All pacers must be wearing a bib at all times while on course.
  • Pacers are allowed starting at mile 62 – Twin Lakes Aid Station inbound.
  • You may have as many pacers as you wish, although only one pacer at a time (until mile 99).
  • A pacer must fill out a waiver prior to being on course. The waiver can be filled out at one of the official checkpoints above or you may print one here. The waiver must be turned in at an aid station to receive your pacer bib.
  • Pacers may act as burros, to carry food and equipment for their runner.

PACER DONT’S

  • Pacers are not allowed to push, pull, carry or tow the runner.
  • Any special pacing situations or requests (ie blind athletes) must be pre-approved by race management.
  • Do not pace using a vehicle or bicycle.
  • Do not take aid from vehicles.
  • Do not camp overnight.

JOIN THE LEADVILLE FAMILY

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