Our Leadville 2025 Experience

Leadville, CO 2025

Two weekends. Two legendary races. One powerful community.

Every August, the town of Leadville, Colorado transforms into the heart of the endurance world, welcoming thousands of athletes, families, and supporters for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Run. For the Life Time Foundation, Leadville is more than a race—it’s a place where our mission of supporting Healthy People, a Healthy Planet, and a Healthy Way of Life comes to life in the most inspiring ways.

This year, our team had the honor of spending two unforgettable weekends in Leadville: August 7–9 for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, and August 14–17 for the Leadville Trail 100 Run. Here’s a look back at some of the moments that defined our time in this extraordinary community.

Weekend One: Leadville Trail 100 MTB (Aug 7–9)

Sugarloaf Pass Dinner + Benefit
We kicked off race weekend alongside our partners at the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation with an evening of food, music, and celebration for charity athletes. Race founders Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin joined us, reminding everyone of Leadville’s legendary “Dig Deep” spirit.

Highlights included:

• Inspiring words from Sarah Emola with Life Time Foundation, Kelsey with Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation, Kate Bartlett (Superintendent) with Lake County School District, and race founders, Ken & Merilee.

• Meeting our top fundraising athlete, Ben Bastion, who raised an incredible $7,485 through 80 donors. Ben’s 2025 Leadville Trail 100 MTB story embodied true perseverance: despite a crash that left him with a separated shoulder and sprained wrist, he finished his race, living out Ken’s famous promise to “commit, don’t quit.”

Race Across the Sky Expo
At our booth, athletes and families made custom cheer signs, picked up goodie bags, and connected with our Foundation team. Cowbells rang, jerseys and hats sold out fast, and the energy carried straight into race day.

On-Course Activation at Mile 89
Positioned just before the final climb, our aid station became a lifeline. We worked alongside volunteers handing out cooling rags, Coke, and gels—and received unforgettable gratitude in return.

It was a place of grit, exhaustion, and community—everything Leadville is about.

Weekend Two: Leadville Trail 100 Run (Aug 14–17)

Hope Pass Dinner + Benefit
The following weekend, we gathered once again with Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation for another night of music, community, and inspiration. Barbara Powell, one of our charity athletes, signed a copy of her book Finding Leadville for Ken and Merilee—bringing the story full circle.

Race Across the Sky Expo + Panel
Our booth welcomed athletes and fans with cheer sign making, meet & greets, and athlete goodie bags. A special highlight was our panel discussion, "Purpose Beyond the Finish Line," featuring charity athletes Barbara Powell and Pierce Showe. They spoke candidly about resilience, faith, and the power of community in ultrarunning; reminding us all that the finish line is never the true end, but a gateway to deeper growth.

Twin Lakes Aid Station
On race day, we set up at Twin Lakes with free cheer signs, coffee, and a shaded tent for our charity athletes’ crews. We cheered as Barbara, Pierce, and fellow charity athlete Rob Colon pushed through mile after mile, and we had the privilege of celebrating with them at the finish line the next morning.

Our Local Impact in Leadville

While the races are extraordinary, what inspires us most is the difference our athlete’s fundraising makes right here in Leadville. This year, thanks to our athletes, donors, and partners, the Life Time Foundation is proud to commit $75,000 in new grants to support:

• Bright Start Learning Center — funding their healthy snack program after the loss of federal funding, ensuring young children have nourishing meals each day.

• Cloud City Conservation Center — empowering Lake County students to learn about food systems, ecology, and the land around them, building connection and responsibility for the planet they inherit.

These grants, combined with the passion of our athletes, mean every mile matters—not just on the course, but in classrooms, trails, and kitchens across this community.