Let me introduce you to Leadville
History of Leadville
Leadville, Colorado, is the highest incorporated city in the United States, sitting at around 10,200 feet above sea level. The area first became popular in the mid-1850s among those hoping to strike it rich from the gold deposits tucked into the surrounding Rocky Mountains. However, by the mid-1870s, once the gold was depleted, prospectors shifted their attention to the newly discovered silver-bearing lead ore. In 1878, the area was officially named the city of Leadville.
The Silver Dollar Saloon still holds strong on the downtown strip
The town boomed. Taverns, hotels, and the famous Silver Dollar Saloon (which still operates today!) were built in hopes of sustaining the flourishing economy. But as history has shown, a mining economy only lasts as long as the minerals do. In 1982, the city’s major employer, the Climax Mine, shut down — leaving Leadville spiraling toward ruin and near abandonment.
How the Leadville 100 Ultramarathon Came to Be
After the shutdown, the people of Leadville scrambled to find new ways to survive. Ken Chlouber, a miner who had just lost his job, and Merilee Maupin, looked at what else Leadville had to offer. They saw the rugged mountains, the astonishing altitude, the grit required to survive in such an unforgiving environment — and envisioned a race that would challenge athletes far beyond simply covering distance.
In 1983, the first Leadville Trail 100 hosted around 40 participants. Those runners battled their way through 100 miles at elevations ranging from 10,200 to 12,600 feet. Weather changed in an instant: sunny skies one moment, overcast the next, and snowstorms shortly after. Even on a flat course that would be brutal — but these runners accumulated over 15,000 feet of elevation gain through the Rockies.
The race’s reputation was set, and the lore began to grow. Ten years later, in 1993, 294 runners started the race; only 135 finished — a 46% finishing rate. Over the years the number of challengers increased, yet the percentage of finishers stayed roughly the same.
And I believe that’s where the magic of this course lies. It’s not about your finishing time (the cutoff is 30 hours — miss it, and you’re pulled and receive a DNF). It’s about whether you can rise to the challenge of the course itself.
Can you commit to 6–8 months of training?
Can you endure altitude that makes it feel like you’re breathing through a straw for 24+ hours?
Can you push through stomach issues, foot and leg pain, unpredictable weather, icy rivers, and running through the night after a 4 a.m. start?
Each year, over 20,000 people enter the lottery hoping to answer these questions — yet only about 750 runners get in. And of those, roughly half will earn the honor of finishing their race with the ritual hug from Ken and Merilee, who sit at the finish line to “welcome the runners home.”
What Is Leadville Like Now?
The mountains are visible from everywhere in town
Today, when you travel to Leadville, you immediately see how the community reinvented itself into one of the premier endurance-athlete destinations in the world. Ken and Merilee remain deeply involved, but a larger team now continues to expand the original race into a full lineup of events.
The race calendar, now known as the Leadville Race Series, includes the 100-mile run, a 50-mile trail race, a marathon, a half-marathon, and a 10K — all held on different dates throughout the year, bringing a steady stream of athletes into town.
The series has also expanded into mountain biking. There’s a 100-mile mountain bike race (part of the Life Time Grand Prix — the premier mountain/gravel circuit loaded with elite and professional riders) and a 50-mile mountain bike race.
In addition, athletes can attend training camps designed to prepare them for the rigors of Leadville’s terrain and altitude. Participants stay in town for several days, train on sections of the course, and learn strategies for managing the climbs, descents, and thin air — all under the guidance of experienced coaches. These camps also give you a chance to explore the local restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques that make Leadville unique.
My Personal Experience
Pacing through the “Silver Rush” 50 mile trail run
In July 2024, I convinced a buddy to join me for the 50-mile trail race. Driving down Main Street, we couldn’t believe the mountain views stretching in every direction. Shops had signs welcoming runners in for a bite or a cup of coffee. Not once did we feel like the locals were irritated by the influx of athletes — quite the opposite. They were joyful, encouraging, and proud of the challenge we were about to face.
It felt like the town genuinely supported your endeavor and wanted you to succeed. I left that weekend knowing this place was special — that these events were unlike anything else. And even though the 50-miler left me pretty wrecked (cue my wife feeding me watermelon slices while I lay on the bathroom floor in the fetal position), I knew I’d be back.
And now, two years later, Leadville is calling again — this time for the ultimate challenge: the 100-mile trail run.