The Life Time Coldwater Trail MTB & Run was announced to much fanfare last spring, billed as the most easterly Leadville qualifier to date, and by all accounts, the inaugural race — which was held in October 2025 — was a huge success. Then, just a few months later, Life Time announced that they were turning the race back over to the community of Anniston, Alabama.
“We were definitely disappointed for sure,” Tom Nelson, Community Relations Director for Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association (NEABA), told me over the phone. “We felt that it was an event that was going to grow, and just the excitement and all the comments from all the participants were so positive.”
Now, NEABA, the City of Anniston, the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, the Calhoun County Commission, the Alabama Department of Tourism, and others are hoping to build upon and grow the event — without Life Time as a key partner.
Anniston and Coldwater Mountain in the spotlight
When Coldwater Mountain was selected to host a Life Time event in 2025, it was a big moment for the community.
“Over the past few years, we’ve been searching the southeast to find the right venue to bring a new Leadville qualifier and have found that in Anniston,” said Kimo Seymour, President of Media and Events at Life Time, in a release announcing the event last year.
Life Time asked for a three-year commitment from race sponsors, leading many in the community to assume that the fitness brand would be involved for at least that long. Though the decision to pull out was disappointing, Nelson notes that Life Time has agreed to hand over many important race assets, including social media accounts, photos and videos, and rights to the event logo. However, going forward, the Coldwater Trail race will no longer count as a Leadville qualifier, an important designation for many participants.
The Life Time Tahoe Trail MTB event, established more than 10 years ago, has also been discontinued for 2026. As a result, local organizers decided to put on their own race in July, calling it the Tahoe 100. A representative for Life Time declined to comment for this article.
Building on a solid foundation
If anything, hosting the Coldwater Trail event alongside Life Time was both a stepping stone and a learning experience for the community. An incredible amount of trail work was completed leading up to the first-ever Coldwater Trail race, leaving the trail network in great shape to host future events. And according to Nelson, 89% of participants said they enjoyed the race enough to return.
Organizers have contracted with Micah Rice, who served as event director for the 2025 race, to direct this year’s race as well. Rice is also the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak APEX in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The 2026 Coldwater race will feature a slightly shorter course to eliminate one of two access-road slogs to and from town while adding more trail favorites like Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Oval Office, and a descent down the Blue Gravity trail. The 40-mile option will give riders nearly the full Coldwater singletrack experience, while a shorter 17-mile course will also be available.
The 2026 Coldwater Trail race will be a true community event, with an after-party featuring a pasta buffet and live music. Oh, and because the race is taking place on Saturday, October 31, there will be Halloween activities for the kids as well. A trail running race will take place the following day.
The cost of the race may be slightly lower than last year, depending on when you register. A 40-mile mountain bike race entry costs $95, while the price of the 17-mile race is $85. Registration closes October 29, 2026. This year, cash prizes are being offered for the top male and female finishers.
When community members first got the news that Life Time was withdrawing from the race, they had a decision to make: would 2025 be the first, and last Coldwater Trail race? Absolutely not.
“Everybody was in agreement,” Nelson said. “This was a great event, a successful event. We’re going to go for it. Our goal is to grow it.”
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