Leadville 2026: More Than a Race Series
Leadville is more than a race destination. It’s a place defined by its mountains, trails and, most importantly, the people who call it home. For generations, Lake County residents, athletes and visitors alike have built a deep connection to the landscape and the community that surrounds it.
In late June, the Willow Fire changed the landscape and disrupted the Leadville Race Series. The fire began west of town near Turquoise Lake and Mount Massive, eventually burning more than 7,000 acres and prompting evacuations and closures throughout the area.
The Silver Rush 50 trail race and 50-mile mountain bike race were canceled in July due to fire activity, air quality, safety concerns and the need to keep local resources focused on the response.
The Leadville Race Series worked diligently with local partners and officials to reroute the courses for both the Leadville Trail 100 RUN and Leadville Trail 100 MTB weekends. Despite the challenges mid race series, the community came together to make both race weekends happen.
That same spirit of community carried into the work happening beyond the race course.
Turning Endurance Into Impact
This year, more than $280,000 was raised by 96 Life Time Foundation charity athletes to help support our mission both on a local and national level. We proudly invested $122,000 back into Lake County-area initiatives:
$50,000 for Willow Fire Restoration
Supporting land recovery and restoration efforts in and around the burn scar, helping build a more resilient ecosystem for generations to come.
$38,000 to Cloud City Wheelers
Supporting the transformation of the 1.36-mile Back 9 Trail into a year-round, adaptive-friendly recreation asset & the construction of a 0.57-mile connector trail. This project is helping to make a local trail more accessible for all users.
Learn More About Cloud City Wheelers.
$18,000 to All Kids Bike
Bringing PE learn-to-ride programs to three local schools: Lake County Elementary School, Avery Parsons Elementary, and Grove Early Learning Program. This funding was in partnership with Life Time’s Athletic Events partner, Bronco Wild Fund.
Learn More About All Kids Bike.
$16,000 to Bright Start Learning Center
Supporting their Nourishing Healthy Futures program, providing nutritious meals and snacks for children ages 1-7 in Lake County. This is our second year supporting this special initiative.
Learn More About Bright Start Learning Center.
Together, these investments support a healthier, more resilient Leadville, from its forests and trails to the kids and families who call the area home.
We’re grateful to our athletes, donors, partners, volunteers and Life Time team members who helped make this impact possible, and to the Leadville community for another incredible race season.
We can't wait for next year. ❤️
