Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half

Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half

The Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half are trail running events held in the historic mining district on the east side of Leadville, Colorado. Both courses consist of out-and-back routes featuring a mix of dirt roads and single-track trails. Participants navigate high-altitude terrain, reaching a peak elevation of 13,185 feet at Mosquito Pass, which is the highest continuous pass in the country. Due to the elevation and location, runners may encounter snow on the course.

The event offers two distinct distances:

• Marathon: A 26.4-mile course with seven aid stations. The minimum age for entry is 16 years.
• Heavy Half: A 15.46-mile course that follows the marathon path but excludes the Ball Mountain section. It features three aid stations. The minimum age for entry is 14 years.

The races utilize a self-seeded rolling start based on projected finish times. Both courses have strict time limits, including a total course cutoff at 4:00 PM for all participants. Aid stations provide hydration, energy gels, and assorted foods such as bananas, pretzels, and chips.

Finishers of the marathon distance are eligible for the Leadville Trail 100 Run qualification system. A minimum of 35 qualification coins are awarded through a combination of performance-based placement and a lottery held during the awards ceremony. To be eligible for the lottery, runners must finish within the official time limits.

The event emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainability. All participants and crews must park at designated community lots and use shuttles to reach the start line, as no parking is available at the race site. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.