photo courtesy Race Across the Sky.
The Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race is happening this weekend so we thought we’d give you a preview of this year’s event. One of the most obvious changes to the race this year is the name, officially “The Life Time Fitness Leadville Trail 100.” Yep, race organizers were able to sell naming rights to the race and we don’t blame them for capitalizing on the event’s recent rise to national prominence.
Lance Armstrong is out this year which probably bummed the Life Time Fitness folks but there’s a slew of A-list competitors looking to smash Armstrong’s course record of 6:28:50. Of course local hero Dave Wiens will be there as will Lance’s Tour de France teammate Levi Leipheimer. Last year’s third place finisher, Matt Shriver will be racing as well along with Ned Overend, Jeremiah Bishop, and Todd Wells. Defending women’s champ Rebecca Rusch will be racing on the women’s side.
According to this press release, the Leadville race course is actually 104 miles, making it at least 4% more difficult than I imagined. We haven’t heard anything about a live, online feed of the race this year but that’s ok since last year’s coverage wasn’t that great. If you can’t make it up to Leadville to watch this weekend, grab a DVD copy of “Race Across the Sky” to get a taste of the Leadville experience!
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Leadville 100 updates and results: Rebecca Rusch won the women’s race again and set a new women’s course record: 7:47:35. The men’s results went like this: 1. Levi Leipheimer, 2. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, 3. Todd Wells, and 4. Dave Wiens. Wells and Weins were only separated by a few minutes which must have made for an exciting finish.
Leipheimer’s time beat Armstrong’s best which means he now holds the Leadville record. Guess Lance will have to get better and race next year to take back the title!
Right on Rebecca!
I caught a big screen showing of the film in Vegas last winter and was very impressed with the whole course/race/event. My hat is off to anyone who even finishes this one. Maybe someday my work schedule will allow me to attend in person would love to see it.