2026 RACE WEEK RUNDOWN

The ~50-mile out-and-back course takes racers through the historic mining district on the east side of Leadville. Primarily on dirt roads, first set by miners and their burros, it will begin at the Cloud City Ski Hut (located just below Colorado Mountain College on Hwy 24 on the South end of Leadville). None of the roads used will be closed to vehicle traffic, so please use caution and follow the rules of the road. The route will take runners by and between many grand and historic gold and silver mines.

50 Mile Course Markings: PINK FLAGS

The Silver Rush 15 Run starts on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. This race will start and finish on the same course as the Silver Rush 50 Run. This race provides an excellent step into ultra running and will, of course, be accompanied by tremendous Leadville views along the way.

15 Mile Course Markings: BLUE FLAGS

Experience the thrill of the Silver Rush Juniors 5K. Designed exclusively for runners ages 10–18, this exciting event allows young athletes to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of Leadville’s high-altitude trail running. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, a delicious meal, and a coveted finisher medal.

5k Course Markings: RED FLAGS

AID STATIONS

There will be seven well-supplied aid stations along the course.

• 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.

• Outbound
  • Mile 7.7 – Black Cloud
  • Mile 14.3 – Printer Boy Outbound
  • Mile 18.6 – Venir
  • Mile 24 – Stumptown (1:30pm cutoff)
• Inbound
  • Mile 29.4 – Venir (3:00pm cutoff)
  • Mile 34.2 – Printer Boy (4:30pm cutoff)
  • Mile 40.3 – Black Cloud (6:00pm cutoff)

CUTOFF TIMES

• Racers that do not make the cut off at the aid stations will NOT be able to continue the race
• Cutoffs at aid stations are based on gun time – and have factored in various start times
• Cutoffs at finish are based on chip time
• 1:30pm – Mile 24 – Stumptown
• 3:00pm – Mile 29.4 – Venir
• 4:30pm – Mile 34.2 – Printer Boy
• 6:00pm – Mile 40.3 – Black Cloud
• 8:00pm – Mile 48.4 – Total Course Cutoff (14hrs – chip time)

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

DROP BAGS (50 Run only)

• Drop bags, clear plastic only
• Drop bags will ONLY be taken to the Stumptown Aid Station (half way mark)
• 5:00am – 5:45am Saturday at base of Dutch Henry Hill
• 5:00pm Bags will be returned to the start/finish
• 8:00pm – Drop bags must be claimed by 8:00 pm Saturday evening

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 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.

To support local community impacts and maintain safety on public roads, the only areas where crew are allowed on course are:

1. Start/Finish Area
2. Printer Boy Aid Station (mile 14.3 outbound, mile 34.2 inbound)
3. Stumptown Aid Station (half way point, turnaround)

Printer Boy Aid Station and Stumptown Aid Station can be accessed using public roads, please follow the map below for driving directions.

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 and overall congestion in Leadville will be a crucial topic for everyone this season and for our presence in Leadville moving forward. NO athlete or spectator parking at the start line.

Parking Locations open to all athletes/spectators:

• Community Fields Parking Location
• Middle School Parking Location
• High School Parking Location

Parking Location open to ONLY crew:

• Printer Boy Crew Parking Location
• Stumptown Aid Station Parking Location:

Shuttle Schedule:

Awards Schedule:

15 Mile Awards Time: 2:00PM
50 Mile Awards Time: 8:15 PM
Location: Dutch Henry Tubing Hill

Award Categories

Silver Rush 50 Run awards will be given to the following categories:

• Top 3 Overall Male
• Top 3 Overall Female
• Top 3 Para Male
• Top 3 Para Female
• Top 3 Non-Binary
• Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female in the following age groups*:
  • 19-under
  • 20-29
  • 30-39
  • 40-49
  • 50-59
  • 60-69
  • 70+

Silver Rush 15 Run awards will be given to the following categories:

• Top 3 Overall Male
• Top 3 Overall Female
• Top 3 Para Male
• Top 3 Para Female
• Top 3 Non-Binary

Silver Rush 5k Juniors Run awards will be given to the following categories:

• Top 3 Overall Male
• Top 3 Overall Female
• Top 3 Male and Top 3 Female in the following age groups*:
  • 12-14
  • 15-17

*Age group awards are based on the athlete’s age on RACE DAY.

Silver Rush Challenge awards will be given to athletes that conquered BOTH the Silver Rush 50 Run and Silver Rush 50 MTB. This will take place during the MTB awards ceremony at 5:00pm Sunday.

The Life Time Leadville Silver Rush 50 Run is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run. 

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.
• Must be 18+ years of age on LT100 Race Day to be eligible
• 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 Run Qualification System page for more information

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

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

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.

​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 Silver Rush 50 Run presented by La Sportiva 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!