Leadville Trail 100 MTB
The Race Across the Sky: 100 miles at altitude in Leadville, CO. August 15, 2026 — Colorado's most legendary mountain bike race.
The vibe
Race across the sky
Starting at 10,200 feet and topping out over 12,600 at the Hope Pass crossing, the Leadville Trail 100 is the race that’s defined Colorado mountain biking since 1994. One hundred miles of high-alpine mining country, where the thin air is as much your opponent as the terrain. The buckle is real, the suffering is real, and the mythology around both is entirely earned.
For 2026 there’s a notable strategic shift: SBT GRVL’s move to June kills the famous “Leadboat” double, meaning athletes who previously split their peak between the two August giants can now go all-in on Leadville. Expect a fresher, more focused field — and faster times on the Boulevard in those final miles.
Race day in Leadville is its own thing entirely. Families camped at the Hope Pass aid station in the pre-dawn dark, cowbells echoing off the tailings piles, the full chaos of the Columbine climb. Whether you’re hunting a sub-9 or just trying to make the cutoffs, this one earns every story that comes out of it.