Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run

Leadville Trail 100 Run : overview

The Leadville Trail 100 Run is a 100-mile out-and-back ultramarathon held in Leadville, Colorado each August. The event was first run in 1983 with 45 starters. The race is staged at high altitude and reaches the Hope Pass area. Minimum participation age is 18 on race day. The 2026 event opens a lottery entry period from 12/1/25 to 12/15/25, with results announced on 1/8/26.

Course and event logistics

The course length is listed as 99.7 miles with about 15,492' of elevation gain and a highest point around 12,500 feet at Hope Pass. Most of the route is on forest trails with some mountain roads. There are 11 aid stations on course offering water, energy gels, hydration mixes, bars, chews, and assorted foods. Pacers are allowed beginning at the Twin Lakes inbound point, roughly after mile 62. Crewing is restricted to four official locations: Outward Bound, Pipeline, Twin Lakes Village, and Mayqueen. Drop bags must be clear plastic and can be placed at five locations including Mayqueen, Outward Bound, Half Pipe, Twin Lakes, and Winfield. Finishers receive belt buckles based on chip time: under 25 hours for the large buckle and under 30 hours for the small buckle. Parking for athletes is at designated lots with shuttle service to the start and crew shuttles to Twin Lakes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.