Life Time has confirmed an updated course route for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The modifications were implemented following consultations with local authorities to steer the event clear of active areas impacted by the regional Willow Fire in Leadville, CO.
The 32nd edition of the ‘Race Across the Sky’ will retain its standard distance and profile, featuring 9,916 feet (3,022m) of elevation gain across a 102.1-mile (164.3km) course. Participants will depart west from Harrison Avenue before climbing St Kevin’s as normal. The route then routes east around Turquoise Lake to bypass the fire-affected sectors.
Specific sections removed from the 2026 course include:
- Hagerman Pass Road
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Powerline
After the detour, riders will rejoin the original course layout at the base of the Powerline Descent before entering the Outward Bound aid station at mile 22.7 (36.5km). From this point, the race continues along the established out-and-back course, including the ascent up Columbine.
As previously established for the 2026 season, elite field participants will have access to two dedicated feed zones located at the Pipeline and Lost Canyon aid stations.
The Leadville Trail 100 MTB serves as a key round within the broader Life Time Grand Prix series. The remaining event schedule for the 2026 series includes:
- Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik – August 15, 2026
- Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival – September 19, 2026
- Life Time Little Sugar MTB – October 11, 2026
- Life Time Big Sugar Gravel – October 17, 2026
Owned and operated by health and wellness brand Life Time, the event forms part of a portfolio of nearly 30 athletic events across North America, including UNBOUND Gravel, the Chicago Half Marathon, and the broader Leadville Race Series.
