The Leadville 100 MTB race, also known as the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race or LT100 MTB, is one of the most well-known, loved AND hated ultra-endurance mountain bike events in the world. Taking place at elevations from 10,000 feet to ~12,000 feet, it’s a hugely challenging race that taxes your mental, physical and emotional strength.

What is the Leadville 100 MTB Race?

The Leadville 100 is a 100-mile race at high altitude in Leadville, CO, that is now owned by the Lifetime Inc.  The race is typically in mid-August, typically the second weekend on a Saturday.  The race website is https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/

Get our Best Selling 8 Month Leadville Training plan (or scroll lower for more options)

How do I sign up for the Leadville 100?

This race is well-known because it is very hard to finish and even harder to get into! Registration is not as simple as just paying the fee (which is several hundred dollars!). You will need to qualify at one of a few races in the USA, enter the lottery, or you can go to their training camp or do volunteer hours. If you want to get there, you can definitely make it happen, but it’s not a simple ‘sign up and you’re good to go!’

• Lottery page here for information
• Full list of qualifier events here
• Race registration and info is found here.

Why is Leadville Hard?

The Leadville 100-mile MTB race takes place at over 10,000 feet of elevation (That is really high for a bike race) and involves longer climbs and more climbing than most people have easy access to. Temperatures can become quite hot as the day goes on, which creates a very hostile environment. To top it off, there’s also a strict cut-off time of 12 hours to get a belt bucket and 13 hours to be counted among finishers! So while pacing is important, there is a requisite fitness to get past the cut-offs established at one of the 7 aid stations on the course.

Oh yeah: It’s also actually 104 miles, not 100. So when you hit 100 on your computer, know that you’re not quite there yet!

2023 Update: You also can’t use aerobars at Leadville (if you were planning to) so that makes it harder too! (LINK) 

How do I get ready for Leadville? What is the Best Leadville Training Plan?

We may be biased but we think we offer 3 great Training Plan options to help you prepare for Leadville:

1. The 8-month Leadville 100 Mile MTB Training Plan is our pre-made plan that starts in January/February and gets you ready for the Leadville 100! Race day isn’t until August, but our 8 month maximizes your training potential over the next 8 months, and sets you up to crush it on race day. And our plan is packed with not just workouts, but tons of race day specifics for Leadville, thanks to dozens of clients doing the race over the years (and Peter doing it himself!).
2. The Three month Leadville Specific build plan (spring start)  this is for those who have done lots of base and now want to specifically build their training for Leadville in the spring and early summer.   Learn more and get this Leadville training plan here 
3. Three Month Made for You Training Plans – If you have a unique schedule, are already close to the race than you will want to get a MADE FOR YOU 3-Month Training Plan. These custom plans are built to get you from where you are to your goals while taking your schedule, races, vacations, equiptment, and favorite workouts into consideration Learn More here

Our Top Leadville Posts

• Racing Leadville Faster–Without Training More
• The Best Advice for Long Endurance Events
• When to Walk Your Bike in Offroad Races
• Best Way to Prepare for Altitude if You are a Busy Adult

Our Favorite Video and Photo Resources for Leadville (video / Photo)

• Call of a Lifetime – 2022 Video of Leadville Race 
• 2022 Pro-Bikes for Leadville 100 on MTB Race News
• The Leadville 100 MTB Trail race Wikipedia
• Leadville Pictures
• Leadville video
• A basic Nutrition plan for Leadville from Tail Wind –  A good template to adjust to your needs
• How to Win Leadville, Dave Weins   (great use of cross-training and real life affecting training!)
• Weins vs. Lance Leadville 2008 Video