The world-famous Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva race returned to Leadville this weekend, the pinnacle finale event of the 2022 Leadville Race Series, for its 39th year. Event owner Life Time (NYSE: LTH) welcomed a field of more than 700 runners ranging in age from 18 to 72 years old, representing all 50 states and 30 countries. Notably, 38 Leadville citizens proudly represented their hometown, for which the race series is well known and beloved, in the participant field.
The famed course challenges runners with over 15,000 feet of net gain, topping out at 12,532 feet across Hope Pass. Runners toed the start line at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 with the ultimate goal of completing the 100-mile “Race Across the Sky” in under 30 hours, which would earn them the coveted belt buckle. Of 707 starters, 363 finished.
“Heading into the race as the defending champ added a new dynamic. It seemed everyone was keying off me and expecting me to dictate the pace,” said MacDonald. “After a slow start, I took off and ran the rest of the way solo. I had a bit of a rough patch halfway through but seeing the other competitors at the turnaround put me back in the racing mindset. I tried to close hard and run under 16 but am happy to win again with the 3rd fastest time!”
“My run in 2016 was a totally different beast…this (year) was really, really hard. But I had the best crew and my family,” said Gallagher. In response to her favorite part of the day she said, “The top of Hope pass was the best. We were in a cloud on the inbound, and then the rain cleared, it was phenomenal. I loved seeing the runners go over, there’s a lot of comradery in this race being an out-and-back. Crossing paths with hundreds of other runners was so, so cool.”
Women’s Results:
- Clare Gallagher, 30, of Boulder, Colo. with a time of 19:37:57
- Alisyn Hummelberg, 30, of Estes Park, Colo. with a time of 21:58:59
- Lindsey Herman, 24, of Gunnison, Colo. with a time of 22:50:41
Men’s Results:
- Adrian MacDonald, 33, of Fort Collins, Colo. with a time of 16:05:44
- JP Giblin, 28, of Boulder, Colo. with a time of 18:07:50
- Ryan Kaiser, 43, of Bend, Ore. with a time of 18:21:21
This year, 60 athletes across the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and 100 Run are on track to reach their goal of collectively raising $175,000 for the Life Time Foundation, which will support Lake County Public Schools and deserving local organizations. The Leadville Race Series’ economic impact on Lake County was $15 million in 2018.
To view all Life Time athletic events, please visit: https://my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.html
The Life Time 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.
About Life Time®, Inc.
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of nearly 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.