David Roche Sets Course Record at Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva, and Mary Denholm Takes Home the Win for the Women

August 19, 2024

More than 700 runners travel to the Two-Mile-High City for the final event of the 2024 Leadville Race Series

Leadville, CO., (Aug. 19, 2024) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The world-renowned Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva race returned to Leadville this weekend – the finale event of the 2024 Leadville Race Series – for its 41st year. Event owner and producer, Life Time (NYSE: LTH) welcomed runners ranging in age from 18 to 78 years old, representing 48 states and 24 countries.

The famed course challenges runners with over 18,000 feet of net elevation gain over the 100 miles, topping out at nearly 12,600 feet at Hope Pass. Runners toed the start line at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 with the ultimate goal of completing the “Race Across the Sky” in under 30 hours for the coveted belt buckle. While over 700 runners took on the challenge, only nearly 400 received the belt buckle by finishing under the 25- hours or 30-hour cutoff times.

It was a monumental feat for first time Leadville participant, David Roche, who set an astonishing new course record of 15:26:34. He shared, “This was the race that I read about when I first started running in 2006. It doesn’t feel real – and to win – I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just a dream. Leadville has the best community, the best trails, and it’s what inspired me to get into the sport in the first place.”

Mary Denholm, the first-place women’s finisher crossed the finish line at 18:23:54, making her one of the only women in history to come in under 19 hours. “I had a great day,” Mary said. “I wanted to do a 100-mile ultra for years, and I finally did it. I’m grateful to my team and I’m grateful to my coach, who told me the course record was in my reach. I’m so stoked to have the second-best women’s time in history – I am so happy!”

Other history-making athletes include, two-time Leadville finisher, Adrian Macdonald who set a personal record, breaking 16-hours for the first time, as well as non-binary athlete, Ryan Montgomery who placed second overall. Four athletes received their 1,000-mile belt-buckle, while several other athletes completed the Lead Challenge, after finishing the Leadville Marathon, Silver Rush, the Trail 100 MTB, 10K Run, and the final event, the Trail 100 Run.

“The Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run is more than just a race; it’s the ultimate test of the grit, guts and determination for the athletes who take it on,” shared Amanda Kussin, Leadville Race Series marketing manager. “Now, forty-one years down the line, it’s inspiring to see the community that returns to experience the magic of Leadville each year and the new faces who come to join our family.”

Full race results are available HERE. Top finishers include:

Overall Women’s Race Results

Overall Men’s Race Results

Non-Binary Race Results

The Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva is among nearly 30 iconic athletic events owned and produced by Life Time, all of which serve to empower people to live healthier, happier lives. Next up on the Life Time run event calendar is the Life Time Chicago Half Marathon &5K presented by HOKA on September 29. The full Life Time Athletic Events portfolio is available at: https://my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.html.

About Life Time®, Inc.

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The health and wellness pioneer also delivers a range of healthy way of life programs and information via its complimentary Life Time Digital app. The Company’s healthy living, healthy aging, healthy entertainment communities and ecosystem serve people 90 days to 90+ years old and is supported by a team of more than 45,000 dedicated professionals. In addition to delivering the best programs and experiences through its clubs, Life Time owns and produces nearly 30 of the most iconic athletic events in the country.

Media Contact: Maddy Rivard | 651.955.7739 | mrivard@lt.life

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