Annie Hughes and Adrian Macdonald win Leadville Trail 100

The world-famous Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva race returned to Leadville this weekend, the pinnacle finale event of the 2021 Leadville Race Series which is comprised of more than 15 mountain bike and trail running events each year. Event owner Life Time welcomed a field of 681 runners ranging in age from 19 to 78 years old, representing all 50 states and 13 countries, who toed the line at 4 a.m. with the ultimate goal of completing the 100-mile “Race Across the Sky” in under 30 hours. Of the 681 starters, 321 finished.

“I want to extend my sincere congratulations and thank you to every single athlete, spectator, and member of the community who collectively made this event so successful,” said first-time Race Director and previous Leadville Trail 100 MTB finisher, Tamira Jenlink. “As a Leadville resident, I understand first-hand how this event changes lives. The entire Life Time team is already looking forward to 2022!”

In the women’s division, Annie Hughes, 23, of Leadville, Colo., finished first with a time of 21:06:58. Genevieve Harrison, 34, of Eagle, Colo., finished with a time of 22:06:59. Third place was secured by Blake Wageman, 36, of Conifer, Colo., who crossed the line at 22:25:20.

Hughes noted about her win, “Living in Leadville, getting to experience altitude and having access to the course year-round was really helpful. I’m so thankful for my pacers and crew, who taught me so much.”

For the men, Adrian Macdonald, 32, of Fort Collins, Colo., finished first with a time of 16:18:19. Matt Flaherty, 36, of Bloomington, Ind., secured second with a time of 16:59:38. Two-time previous winner Anton Krupicka, 38, of Boulder, Colo., placed third with a time of 17:07:55.

Describing his first 100-mile race, Macdonald noted, “I felt great all day — my legs and breathing all felt good. It’s just sort of crazy and insane. I told myself I was just going to go out and run all day and I did.”

Proving themselves to be ultra-endurance champions, three women earned the incredibly respectful title of Leadwoman and 40 men earned the title of Leadman following the event after successfully completing five events within the Leadville Race Series throughout the summer including the Leadville Trail Marathon, Silver Rush 50-mile run or mountain bike race, 100-mile mountain bike race, and Leadville Trail 10K.

The famed course brings runners through 13,000 feet of net gain, topping out at 12,424 feet. Notably, 31 Leadville citizens proudly represented their hometown, for which the race series is well known and beloved, in the participant field.

This year, 66 athletes across the 100 MTB (Aug. 14) and 100 Run (Aug. 21) have exceeded the goal of collectively raising $150,000 for the Life Time Foundation, which will be allocated to Lake County Public Schools schools to keep highly-processed food out of meals, while increasing the amount of fresh and simply prepared foods for students. Additionally, Leadville local Rodrigo Jimenez, who started the race 2.5 hours after the official start, raised more than $72,000 for the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation after passing 660 of the 681 runners on-course, receiving fundraising pledges for each.

To view all of the Life Time athletic events after August, please visit: https://my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.html

The Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva is owned and produced by Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand. It is among more than 30 premier athletic events owned by the company, including the Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Garmin UNBOUND Gravel, Verizon New York City Triathlon, Chicago Triathlon, and Miami Marathon.

About the Leadville Race Series

Started with only 45 runners as the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 1983, the Leadville Race Series now consists of seven running events and four mountain biking events, plus six events in the Leadville Qualifying Series. The Race Series stretches across three months, and hosts thousands of racers on foot and on mountain bike in some of the world’s most iconic events. Endurance athletes worldwide now make the pilgrimage to Leadville, Colo., with the single goal of competing in “The Race Across the Sky.” Visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com for more information.

posted Monday August 23rd
by Colorado Runner