Above photo by: Life Time.
The Leadville Trail 100, presented by Lifetime, is one of the greatest undertakings in American ultrarunning. From the race course’s natural beauty in the heart of the Rockies to the rich mining history of America’s highest incorporated town of Leadville, CO (situated at 10,200 feet) to the lore of its mythic course record holders Ann Trason and Matt Carpenter, this event is cemented in ultrarunning history. The Leadville Trail 100 is what the Boston Marathon is to many road runners: an ultimate physical challenge, as well as an opportunity to take part in the history of a sport and to carry this legacy on to the next generation.
But what is it actually like to experience the Leadville Trail 100? From personal experience, I can only speak as a spectator about the energy of the crowds or the excitement of being present for unforgettable moments such as ultrarunning legend and two-time Leadville Trail 100 Champion Anton Krupika’s return to the podium after nearly ten years of struggling with injuries or being there for a friend who unfortunately did not make a cutoff but who’s drive to finish this race inspires me to set new running goals for myself.
Spectating the Leadville Trail 100 has made me curious about what it could feel like to run the race one day while also recognizing that expectations are often vastly different from reality. The participants are the only ones who know how great the difference between expectation and reality is, which is why I wanted to connect with participants from this year’s race to understand this historic event better.
In the following article, I interview three first-time participants of the 2023 Leadville Trail 100, both before and after running the race. Our conversation dives into what it’s like to run this race for the first time, details about the course, key challenges, preparation methods, expectations, and so much more for other potential Leadville Trail 100 first-timers or experienced veterans to read about and better understand what makes this many ultrarunners’ “bucket list” race year after year.
Leadville Trail 100 Pre Race Thoughts
Corrie Crane
Corrie Crane
Avon, CO
Age:45
[TAYTE] What is your experience like being in the town of Leadville? How are the crowds/pre-race energy for any of the events you’ve attended in the race series?
[CORRIE] Leadville, CO is truly a unique place with its high-altitude mountain beauty and mining history from the 1800’s. I first visited Leadville when I moved to Colorado in 2001 from my home State of Alabama after graduating College, and still to this day, I am in awe of the beauty that grazes the skyline and seeing the old mining camps around this area. When I am in town for the Leadville Race Series the energy is buzzing! Each race brings its own energy, and being part of the excitement brings an inner stoke to my passion of being out in nature doing what I love: trail running.
[TAYTE] Have you scouted out sections on the Leadville 100 course? What are your favorite sections?
[CORRIE] Yes, I live 45 minutes from Leadville so I have had the opportunity to train on every section of the course. I have also crewed/paced in 2017, 2018, and 2021 for friends and was able to witness the race from that angle.
I love the Twin Lakes vibe, Hope Pass high altitude beauty, and the singletrack around Turquoise Lake and on the CDT.
[TAYTE] Have you trained yet on the infamous Hope Pass? What is your impression of this notoriously difficult climb?
[CORRIE] Yes, I have trained this section and also raced it in 2019 when I competed in The TransRockies 120 mike, 6-day Stage Race. It’s steep, of course, on both sides of the Pass and your oxygen is depleted, but the views at the top are majestic! I love looking around 360* and seeing the mountain beauty above the tree line.
[TAYTE] Leadville 100 has many unique challenges, including the altitude and elevation gain. How have you trained specifically for these?
[CORRIE] I am grateful to live in the mountains at 8,000 feet, so the access to higher altitude is right out my back door….of course, I have to earn that altitude gain climbing on my own 2 feet. Although when I come up to Leadville to train, the elevation and altitude gain is noticeably different and of course in “race mode” your heart rate is already elevated so that brings a new strategy to the mission.
[TAYTE] What do you think will be the hardest section of the course for you?
[CORRIE] Hard is a relative term… every single human being is capable of doing hard things, but you have to be willing to get uncomfortable because that’s when the real growth begins when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Being realistic, yes, The Leadville 100 is a challenging race, but with that comes tenacity and consistency to maintain your strength and focus to complete an endeavor like this. Like Ken and Merilee say…“Dig Deep.” Hard for me will be the pace at which I need to maintain each section. I have trained in all weather conditions and various times throughout the day and night leading up to this race, so I have that to lean on when the going gets tough, which there will be plenty of, I’m sure!
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most about running your first Leadville 100?
[CORRIE] I’m looking forward to getting back up to Leadville for this iconic race, being with my crew and other athletes as we all push and motivate each other! I am really excited to once again experience the race energy, this time toeing the starting line! I’m most curious where my mind will take me and seeing what my body is capable of. This is one of my WHYs for this race and I am highly motivated to push my limits. Of course seeing Ken and Merilee are always highlights of the Leadville 100 and I will be sure to thank them personally for creating a special event…40 yrs ago!
[TAYTE] Do you have any goals on race day? Time, age group placement, etc.
[CORRIE] To finish with a smile, knowing I left every ounce of my training out on that course!
[TAYTE] How do you expect this race will compare to other races you’ve run? Similarities/differences?
[CORRIE] The Leadville Marathon in June is always good prep for building mileage and testing your lung power above 10,000 feet. I like that the course takes runners up to Mosquito Pass at 13,000 feet so that is quality in relation to Hope Pass. The longest race I have run to date is the Beaverhead 100K last Summer as well as both the TransRockies and TranSelkirks, both multi-day stage races and most recently two days back to back, the 28K + 50K totaling 18,000 feet of elevation gain at the UTMB Speedgoat in Snowbird, UT, so I am going off how I felt with those races in regards to determination, the highs and lows experienced, overall elevation gain, and my hydrating/fueling strategies in the heat. In July, I also paced 13 hours throughout the night for a dear friend of mine at one of her 100 milers so that was good overall training for me pushing through physical and mental fatigue as we climbed in elevation throughout rugged, big mountain passes.
Mercedes Siegle-Gaither
Mercedes Siegle-Gaither
Durango, CO
Age: 31
[TAYTE] What is your impression of Leadville/the Leadville race series?
[MERCEDES] I was first drawn to Leadville back in 2014, reading about it in books, where I first learned about it. Back then, I could only dream of running in the mountains at high elevation! I thought it was something of legend. Living near Leadville in Salida, CO for a couple of years, I slowly got closer and closer to a dream come true!
[TAYTE] Have you scouted out sections on the Leadville 100 course? What are your favorite sections?
[MERCEDES] Turquoise Lake is always beautiful… if only I’d get to see it in the daylight… Hopefully, I won’t!
[TAYTE] Have you trained yet on the infamous Hope Pass? What is your impression of this notoriously difficult climb?
[MERCEDES] Sure have! But maybe not enough. Maybe I left some mystery out there. Hope Pass is a doozy! But I’m looking forward to every minute of it.
[TAYTE] Leadville 100 has many unique challenges including the altitude and elevation gain. How have you trained specifically for these?
[MERCEDES] It would’ve been convenient to not move to Durango a few months before the race after living only an hour from the course. But getting as high as I can, as often as I can! The San Juans have been making that pretty easy with those alpine lakes calling my name!
[TAYTE] What do you think will be the hardest section of the course for you?
[MERCEDES] Probably any techy downhill. I’m really hoping to not face plant into a rock going too fast. I can’t imagine mile 58 going down Hope Pass is going to feel super strong.. fingers crossed!
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most about running your first Leadville 100?
[MERCEDES] Being a runner is going to be so exciting. Generally, just being out there crewing, pacing, or spectating is so exciting! I’m so pumped to be on the other side of things!
[TAYTE] Do you have any goals on race day? Time, age group placement, etc.
[MERCEDES] Oh, if I could podium, that would be dreamy. I’m setting my goals high, especially for my first hundo. But I’m optimistic, and it’s a place I love spending time, so maybe, just maybe, anything could happen! Overall goal though, keep my food inside of me, and enjoy the ride.
[TAYTE] How do you expect this race will compare to other races you’ve run? Similarities/differences?
[MERCEDES] I have a stellar crew and so many friends I can’t wait to see out on the course, racing, crewing, pacing, and spectating. The event brings so many people together and gives us an excuse to spend time together, outside, and pushing our limits. Happy tears, sad tears, blood, sweat, and probably some vomit – it just bonds people, ya know?
Anna Zaccaria
Anna Zaccaria
Chicago, IL
Age:28
[TAYTE] What is your experience like being in the town of Leadville? How are the crowds/pre race energy?
[ANNA] I haven’t arrived in Leadville yet. We arrive Thursday. But I am already feeling good energy and excited for the race. I think once I arrive it will really hit me that I am actually running Leadville, and I’ll feel a mixture of nervous, excited, and ready.
[TAYTE] Have you scouted out sections on the Leadville 100 course? What are your favorite sections?
[ANNA] I haven’t physically scouted any sections but I’ve listened to a lot of podcasts on others’ experiences, watched videos, and reviewed maps of the course. I’m eager to see what Hope Pass is really like and I think my favorite section will be the start to Mayqueen/Mayqueen to finish. I think in those two stretches, I will be feeling my highest high (right at the start of the race, fresh legs, etc.) and my lowest low (end of race, dead legs, etc.) and because of that, it is the section of the race that I think gives the best description of what an ultra marathon experience really is – anything can happen at any time and you just have to take it for what it is and keep moving.
[TAYTE] Have you trained yet on the infamous Hope Pass? What is your impression of this notoriously difficult climb?
[ANNA] I haven’t trained on Hope Pass but my impression is that it is no joke. I’ve done some other challenging climbs before and every time is a little different than the last. I’m interested to see what Hope has in store for me. At the end of the day, while Hope is notoriously scary and hard, it really does offer a lot of hope because once you’re over and back, it’s over! and you can feel a sense of relief that you’re over halfway done and you conquered the hardest part.
[TAYTE] Leadville 100 has many unique challenges including the altitude and elevation gain. How have you trained specifically for these?
[ANNA] Because of where I live (Savannah, GA) elevation gain and altitude are hard to come by. However, one thing Savannah does have is heat. They say heat is the poor man’s altitude so I focused a lot of my training on getting as much heat exposure as possible. Because it is so flat here, I also put emphasis on running all if not most of every one of my long runs. This will be valuable because Leadville, compared to some other mountain races, is actually pretty runnable and my research taught me that continuous forward movement will be key in finishing. By training in heat and keeping a solid run going for 5+ hours, I think I have trained my body well to manage some of the challenges Leadville will throw at me.
[TAYTE] What do you think will be the hardest section of the course for you?
[ANNA] I think the last 13 miles will be the hardest for me. I have run a lot of distance races and the end is always the hardest for me. The early parts of the race I keep my mind focused on staying calm and smooth and not going out too fast. The middle parts when I am tired, I just put my head down and grind. But when I know the finish line is so close (yet so far!), mentally, I struggle and find myself unable to get into a flow. I’m hoping I can use my teammate and crew to help me get through that last segment to the finish without too much mental anguish.
[TAYTE] What are you looking forward to most about running your first Leadville 100?
[ANNA] The experience! Leadville is an iconic race that some people only dream of running. I think of this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do my favorite thing with my favorite people in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I feel lucky to have gotten a slot and a chance to push myself and do something I’ve never done before. Just being in the town of Leadville with all of its history and being able to participate in that history is one of the coolest things I’ve ever had the opportunity to do. I can’t wait to be there and soak it all in.
[TAYTE] Do you have any goals on race day? Time, age group placement, etc.
[ANNA] In reality, my goal is to finish. But we (my teammate/boyfriend) and I have created a race plan to shoot for 25 hours and adjust as the race goes on. In my experience, its good to give yourself a lofty goal and be prepared to adjust depending on what race day throws at you. In any race I’ve done, especially if it’s my first attempt at the distance, my goals usually look like this:
- Make it to the start line uninjured
- Start the race
- Avoid the medical tents
- Finish.
There is so much that goes into training For and running an ultramarathon and even getting to the start line, with how much training is done beforehand, can be a struggle. I like to keep my goals simple and small and adjust for what the day brings me.
[TAYTE] How do you expect this race will compare to other races you’ve run? Similarities/differences?
[ANNA] I don’t think this will be anything like any race I’ve done. My other trail races have never been in somewhere as beautiful as Leadville or even been as big of a race as Leadville. I think the only constant for me during this race will be how I cope with and manage stress and hard segments. I’ve worked hard over many years to develop good mental mindsets, coping mechanisms, and stress management techniques that I can apply to almost any situation this race will throw at me. That said, who knows, maybe Leadville will force me to have to learn some new coping mechanisms on the go!
Leadville Trail 100 Post Race Reflections
Corrie Crane
Corrie Crane
Time and Placement: 28:53:02, 39th female
[TAYTE] Overall, how was your first Leadville 100 experience? Would you do it again?
[CORRIE] My first Leadville 100 experience was truly FUN! I embraced this experience with gratitude for the opportunity I had to run this race, focusing on my overall health that got me to the starting line and my mental strength to cross the finish line. Never once did I have a doubt that I couldn’t complete the 100 miles in 30 hours. My crew was solid and dialed in and positively impacted my first time experience. I knew the times I wanted to achieve for reaching each aid station and I kept true to that strategy, running each section where I could and power hiked where I needed to, essentially trusting my training. No stress, no fear of failure. A positive mindset is very powerful! Yes, I would absolutely run the Leadville 100 again! In fact, I got a coin when I ran the Marathon this year so I am already signed up for LT100 2024. I am thrilled to run this race again!
[TAYTE] What’s one thing that was exactly as you anticipated and one thing you didn’t expect about the race?
[CORRIE] I set my mindset and attitude beforehand and mentioned to my (top-notch) crew, I wanted zero stress in this race with efficiency at each aid station and most of all, to have fun with this race, which is why I run ultra-marathons, enjoying the fun adventure that correlates to being in the mountains! My longest distance before the Leadville 100 was a 100K, so I wasn’t expecting GI issues late into the night as I experienced, but I put my head into the game and persevered with the encouragement from my two amazing pacers, Ashley and Emily!
[TAYTE] The Leadville 100 is one of the most historic 100-mile races in our sport. How does it feel taking part in this tradition? How does the experience compare to other races you’ve run?
[CORRIE] On Friday, hearing Ken and Merilee (race directors) at the racer briefing tell runners when we want to give up, that’s when we “Dig Deep.” When they asked runners to give them the best gift we could, crossing the finish line, that stuck with me. In fact, I made it a point to run as much as I could as I got closer to the end, so I could get that finish line hug from Ken, that much faster. He is a legend! Something about crossing the finish line at Leadville gave me chills, that another race has yet to, but I also haven’t completed a 100 miler until Leadville this year. Once you hit the pavement you have .9 miles to go and that’s when my emotions hit me knowing I had run the race. The crowds’ energy, as runners descend into the last half mile on 6th St. and seeing the red carpet finish line is electrifying. I was so stoked, I sprinted strong across the finish line, smiling from ear to ear. Mission accomplished! Seeing other runners I had seen over the course of 100 miles also cross the finish line was very uplifting. Knowing the sacrifices every runner and their families and friends have given over the training time period all leads up to this one point. Being able to thank Ken and Merilee, all the staff and volunteers is emotional as you know the hard work they have poured into this race. Lots of hugs, smiles, high fives and photos with our new finisher medal and LT100 buckle was the perfect ending to an awesome weekend!
[TAYTE] Food/drink cravings post-race?
[CORRIE] I have my routine with my post-race recovery drink before anything else. A few pieces of watermelon since it was a hotter morning and an ice-cold Athletic Brewing beer to celebrate! My stomach was still a bit sensitive so I kept it light for the next 24 hours in regards to bigger meals. Plenty of electrolytes to help with muscle recovery.
Mercedes Siegle-Gaither
Mercedes Siegle-Gaither
Time and Placement: 28:58:52, 43rd female
[TAYTE] Overall, how was your first Leadville 100 experience? Would you do it again?
[MERCEDES] Holy humbled! During my 29 hours of what felt like slow death, no, I saw no reason why people would ever do this race multiple times. Twelve hours later, all I can think about it redemption.
[TAYTE] What’s one thing that was exactly as you anticipated and one thing you didn’t expect about the race?
[MERCEDES] I expected the heat and occasional nausea. I didn’t expect my hips and knees to start aching so early, around mile 34. I could barely struggle up and down and then back up and down Hope Pass – the part of the race I felt strongest about and was looking forward to most!
[TAYTE] The Leadville 100 is one of the most historic 100-mile races in our sport. How does it feel taking part in this tradition? How does the experience compare to other races you’ve run?
[MERCEDES] It’s slowly becoming more and more meaningful as time goes by. The friendships that I made through our shared traumas are priceless. The lows I had were the lowest I’ve ever experienced, and the highs were the highest imaginable. Things would get so dark, trudging through the night, tunnel vision of my pain, and then I’d see a friend, making the experience worth it and the pain would fade, if only for a moment.
[TAYTE] Food/drink cravings post-race?
[MERCEDES] Everything. I think I smashed some deep-dish pizza and mango mochi! Days later, I had two bowls of ice cream after dinner.
Anna Zaccaria
Anna Zaccaria
Time and Placement: Ran 50 miles, DNF (Did Not Finish)
[TAYTE] Overall, how was your first Leadville 100 experience? Would you do it again?
[ANNA] My Leadville experience was incredible, although it ended sooner than I wanted. I DNF’d, being dropped at Winfield for missing the cutoff by a few minutes. That said, I would 100% do it again, and I am already thinking of ways to train better so I don’t run into the same issues this time.
[TAYTE] What’s one thing that was exactly as you anticipated and one thing you didn’t expect about the race?
[ANNA] One thing I anticipated was Hope Pass to be incredibly challenging but what I didn’t anticipate was the way in which it challenged me. It’s hard to describe but I think the speed at which elevation changed is what got me. Running at 10K didn’t feel bad at all but moving up so fast and on an incline really challenged by sea-level trained body.
[TAYTE] The Leadville 100 is one of the most historic 100-mile races in our sport. How does it feel taking part in this tradition? How does the experience compare to other races you’ve run?
[ANNA] It was humbling on so many levels. Not only could you feel the energy of the race and those around you but you knew everyone had a story for why they were there. Despite the not so great outcome, I am still so glad that I did it. This was my first 100 miler and I’ve always had this thing about “first” races. My first marathon, to this day, even though it is not my fastest, is still my favorite because of how special the experience was. Leadville holds that same place for me as immensely special and an experience I will never forget. I can’t wait to take on Hope Pass again one day.
[TAYTE] Any food/drink cravings after the race?
[ANNA] Truthfully, I was pretty disappointed after getting dropped and hunger was the last thing on my mind. Once we got back to our Airbnb I had some ramen noodles and went to bed. But, the next morning we celebrated our 50-mile accomplishment with some donuts and coffee which is always my favorite treat.
