🏔️ Leadville Trail 100
Mid-August • Leadville, CO • "Race Across the Sky"
⚠️ Altitude is Everything — Starts at 10,200ft, peaks at 12,600ft on Hope Pass. The entire race is above 9,200ft. If you're not altitude-adapted, you will suffer. Aggressive cutoffs early — miss one and you're done.
📍 Course Sections + Centennial Training
4 AM Start
Lake Trail
Technical Single Track
Race starts at 4 AM in darkness from downtown Leadville (10,200ft). First 5 miles leave town, then you hit Turquoise Lake Trail — narrow, technical singletrack where passing is difficult. Net downhill but EASY to go out too fast. The #1 mistake runners make is burning matches here.
Aid: May Queen (Mi 12.4) — Cutoff 7:45am (3h45m from start)
💡 Strategy
- Start SLOW. First mile should be 10+ minutes. You're at 10,200ft and have 88 miles to go.
- Headlamp essential. First 2+ hours in darkness. Turquoise Lake trail is technical.
- Don't pass aggressively. Trail is narrow — burning energy weaving through people costs you later.
- Bank time wisely. Net downhill but don't cash in chips you'll need on Hope Pass.
🎯 Training Segments (Centennial/CO)
5.7 mi • 1,486 ft gain • 4.9% grade • Littleton
strava.com/segments/627484
Practice 4 AM starts here. Mix of road and trail — simulates race start conditions. 15 min from Centennial.
7.8 mi • 2,077 ft gain • Cat 2 climb • Golden
strava.com/segments/5309585
Long runnable climb for volume. Practice relaxed early-race pacing. 25 min from Centennial.
10.7 mi • 2,703 ft gain • HC climb • Littleton
strava.com/segments/612959
Epic sustained climb. Good for practicing technical night running. 15 min from Centennial.
Powerline Climb
Colorado Trail
1,500ft Gain
First big climb: 1,200ft up to Sugarloaf Pass (11,100ft) via the infamous Powerline. This steep, exposed climb has 4-5 false summits and is psychologically brutal. Descend 1,500ft to Fish Hatchery (Outward Bound). Mostly on Colorado Trail and Hagerman Pass Road.
Aid: Outward Bound (Mi 23.3) — Cutoff 10:00am (6h from start) — CREW ACCESS
💡 Strategy
- Power hike Powerline. Don't try to run it — 1,200ft at 10,500ft+ demands walking.
- False summits are mental. Every time you think you're done, there's more. Accept it.
- Run the descent. The 1,500ft drop to Fish Hatchery is runnable — make up time here.
- This is where it heats up. Shed layers, apply sunscreen before leaving May Queen.
🎯 Training Segments (Centennial/CO)
2.4 mi • 1,433 ft gain • 11.1% grade • Morrison
strava.com/segments/647571
Similar gain to Powerline. Exposed, relentless climb. Do repeats for mental toughness. 20 min from Centennial.
2.27 mi • 2,163 ft gain • 16.6% grade • Boulder
strava.com/segments/684755
Multiple false summits just like Powerline. Exposed and relentless. 35 min from Centennial.
1.2 mi • 1,266 ft gain • 19.7% grade • Boulder
strava.com/segments/709312
Steep initial climb with rocky technical terrain. Good for power hiking practice. 35 min from Centennial.
Road Running
Singletrack
Mt Elbert Views
Mixed section: road running to Half Pipe, then beautiful singletrack through the woods toward Mt Elbert. Climb to 10,600ft then descend 1,400ft into Twin Lakes. This is your last major resupply before Hope Pass. The descent into Twin Lakes is runnable — legs should still be relatively fresh.
Aid: Half Pipe (Mi 29.2, no crew) → Twin Lakes (Mi 37.9) — Cutoff 1:30pm (9.5h) — CREW ACCESS
💡 Strategy
- Run the roads. These are your fastest miles — don't walk unless climbing.
- Twin Lakes is critical. Last crew access before Hope Pass. Eat real food, refuel completely.
- You'll be weighed. If you've lost too much weight, they'll make you eat/drink before leaving.
- Prepare for Hope Pass. Rain jacket, extra calories, full bottles. The crux awaits.
🎯 Training Segments (Centennial/CO)
10.7 mi • 2,703 ft gain • HC climb • Littleton
strava.com/segments/612959
Runnable dirt road climbing — perfect for road sections. 15 min from Centennial.
16.8 mi point-to-point • 3,500 ft gain • Waterton to South Platte
strava.com/routes/2889119744548063946
Actual Leadville course terrain. Mix of road and singletrack. 20 min from Centennial.
7.8 mi • 2,077 ft gain • Cat 2 climb • Golden
strava.com/segments/5309585
Rolling climb with great views. Good for tempo runs on mixed terrain. 25 min from Centennial.
CRUX SECTION
12,600ft Summit
3,400ft Climb
Above Treeline
This is the race. Hope Pass climbs 3,400ft from Twin Lakes (9,200ft) to the summit (12,600ft), then drops 2,500ft to Winfield. You're above treeline, exposed to weather, gasping for oxygen. Lightning storms are common. The climb takes 2-3+ hours. Every step is a battle. This is where Leadville legends are made — and where dreams die.
Aid: Hope Pass summit (Mi 43.1) — Cutoff 4:00pm → Winfield turnaround (Mi 49.8) — Cutoff 6:00pm (14h)
💡 Strategy
- Power hike only. Don't even think about running. 3,400ft at 10,000-12,600ft = walking pace.
- Pace: ~21 min/mile. Expect 3-3.5 hours for this section. That's normal.
- Weather changes fast. Carry rain jacket. Lightning above treeline can kill you.
- Winfield is the turnaround. If you make it here by 6pm, you're halfway. Take 10 minutes to eat.
- Stay aerobic. If you go anaerobic here, you'll blow up. Slow and steady wins.
🎯 Training Segments (Centennial/CO)
2.27 mi • 2,163 ft gain • 16.6% grade • Boulder
strava.com/segments/684755
THE Hope Pass simulator at lower altitude. Do 2x for full 4,000ft simulation. 35 min from Centennial.
0.82 mi • 1,893 ft gain • 34% avg grade • Manitou Springs
strava.com/segments/2963247
Steeper than Hope Pass but trains pure power hiking. Do 2x for full elevation gain match. 1 hr from Centennial.
0.47 mi • 617 ft gain • 21% grade • Boulder
strava.com/segments/2749615
Short brutal climb. Chain with Green Mountain for extended climbing simulation. 35 min from Centennial.
6.1 mi • 4,189 ft gain • 10.8% grade • Manitou Springs
strava.com/segments/1376359
The ultimate climb. Perfect Hope Pass prep with similar vert. 1 hr from Centennial.
You Do It Again
3,000ft Climb
Pacers Allowed
You thought you were done? You climb Hope Pass again. From Winfield, climb 3,000ft back to the summit (you didn't lose as much elevation coming down), then descend to Twin Lakes. You're 12+ hours in, exhausted, and facing the same brutal climb. The good news: you can pick up a pacer at Winfield or Twin Lakes.
Aid: Hope Pass summit (Mi 56.7) → Twin Lakes (Mi 61.8) — Cutoff 10:15pm (18h15m) — CREW + PACER
💡 Strategy
- Get a pacer. Fresh legs and motivation make a huge difference. Brief them: "Keep me moving."
- It will be dark. Most runners hit the summit in darkness. Headlamp + pacer = survival.
- Pace: ~21:30 min/mile. Slightly slower than outbound — you're tired. Accept it.
- Twin Lakes is your reset. 10-15 minute break here is appropriate. Change clothes, eat real food.
- Stay positive. Hope Pass is DONE after this. The hardest part is behind you.
🎯 Training Approach
2.27 mi x 2-3 • 2,163 ft per lap • Boulder
strava.com/segments/684755
Do repeats Saturday, then again Sunday. Simulates climbing Hope Pass twice on dead legs. Race-specific training.
Incline up + Barr to Barr Camp • 6,000+ ft total
strava.com/segments/2963247
Brutal combination. 6,000+ ft of climbing in one session. Ultimate Hope Pass prep.
Night Running
1,400ft Climb
Mental Battle
The hardest part is done — but don't relax. There's an underrated 1,400ft climb back toward Mt Elbert. This section is where the race becomes a mental battle. It's dark, you're exhausted, and every small hill feels enormous. Keep moving.
Aid: Half Pipe (Mi 70.3) — Cutoff 1:15am → Outward Bound (Mi 76.2) — Cutoff 3:00am — CREW ACCESS
💡 Strategy
- Run when you can. It's time to push. 80% of this course is runnable — be running on the flats/downs.
- Pacer is critical here. Fresh pacer at Twin Lakes can carry you through the darkness.
- Eat and drink. Calorie deficit catches up now. Force food even if you're not hungry.
- No crew at Half Pipe. Bring enough fuel for the full section.
🎯 Training Segments (Centennial/CO)
5.7 mi • 1,486 ft gain • 4.9% grade • Littleton
strava.com/segments/627484
Do monthly 3-4 hour night runs. Practice staying alert and moving forward when your body wants to sleep.
2.4 mi • 1,433 ft gain • 11.1% grade • Morrison
strava.com/segments/647571
Sustained climb followed by rolling terrain. Good for tired-leg training. 20 min from Centennial.
Powerline Again
Turquoise Lake
Final Push
One last beast: Powerline in reverse. The 2,000ft climb from Fish Hatchery has 4-5 false summits and takes ~90 minutes. After that, it's Colorado Trail back to May Queen, then Turquoise Lake Trail to the finish in downtown Leadville. 23+ miles of suffering, but you're almost home.
Aid: May Queen (Mi 87.2) — Cutoff 6:30am — CREW → Tabor Boat Ramp (Mi 93, crew access) → FINISH — Cutoff 10:00am (30h)
💡 Strategy
- Powerline takes 90 minutes. One foot in front of the other. You've done this before (outbound).
- Bundle up. Pre-dawn temps at 11,000ft can be in the 30s. Warm layers for the final push.
- Tabor Boat Ramp for final resupply. Crew access at mile 93 — use it.
- Run it in. You've come 100 miles. Give everything you have left.
- 25-hour buckle requires ~7:00 AM finish. If you're at May Queen by 4:30 AM, you can get the big buckle.
🎯 Training Segments (Centennial/CO)
2.27 mi x 2-3 repeats • 2,163 ft per lap • Boulder
strava.com/segments/684755
Do repeats on tired legs (Day 2 of back-to-back). Simulates Powerline return when you're destroyed.
10.7 mi • 2,703 ft gain • HC climb • Littleton
strava.com/segments/612959
Sustained climbing with good descent. Run on Sunday after big Saturday for race simulation. 15 min from Centennial.
🗓️ Monthly Simulation Weekend
Saturday (25-30 mi): Colorado Trail Seg 1 + Mt Falcon or Waterton → Roxborough
Start at 4 AM with headlamp. Practice aid station transitions. 5,000+ ft vert.
Sunday (15-20 mi): Green Mountain x2 + Night Finish
Climb on dead legs. Finish in darkness to simulate the mental battle.
~40-50 miles, 8-10K vert over 2 days. Monthly in the 6 months before race.
🏔️ Altitude Training Protocol
Critical for Leadville:
• 14er training monthly (Bierstadt, Evans, Grays/Torreys) - 1 hr from Centennial
• Sleep high when possible (camp at altitude before race)
• Arrive in Leadville 2-3 days early minimum
• Consider altitude tent training (expensive but effective)
• Train on the actual course: Twin Lakes → Hope Pass is accessible
📋 Race Day Essentials
Altitude preparation — Arrive 2-3+ days early. Sleep in Leadville (10,200ft). Hydrate aggressively.
Two headlamps + batteries — You'll run 8-12+ hours in darkness. Backup is mandatory.
Rain jacket — Lightning storms common above treeline. Carry it over Hope Pass.
Drop bags — May Queen, Outward Bound, Twin Lakes (both directions), Fish Hatchery. Clear plastic bags required.
Pacer strategy — Pacers allowed after Winfield (Mi 49.8). Plan 2-3 pacers for rotation through the night.
🏋️ Weekly Training Targets
- Volume: 60-80 miles per week (peak)
- Vertical: 10,000-15,000 ft elevation gain
- Altitude runs: Monthly 14er or high-altitude training (11,000+ ft)
- Back-to-backs: Every weekend (long Saturday + medium Sunday)
- Night runs: Monthly 3-4 hour sessions starting at 4 AM
- Long runs: Work up to 30+ mile runs, practice race-day nutrition
📚 Key Takeaways from Finishers
What separates finishers from DNFs:
• Conservative start — don't blow up before Hope Pass
• 80% of the course is runnable — be RUNNING on flats and downs
• Hope Pass is only 20% of the race but gets all the attention
• Cutoffs are aggressive early — respect them or get pulled
• Altitude adaptation is non-negotiable — undertrained = DNF
• "Keep moving forward" — the race rewards persistence over speed