The Countdown is on to Leadville Trail 100 MTB

July 22, 2024

“Race Across the Sky” event celebrates 30th anniversary; Battle for Life Time Grand Prix victory continues

Leadville, Colorado /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda returns on Saturday, August 10th with the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik.

The renowned Colorado event – also known as the Race Across the Sky – is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year and once again drawing participants from around the world. Long regarded as the ultimate test of grit, guts and determination, the event starts and finishes in the heart of historic Leadville, Colorado, the highest incorporated city in North America at 10,152 feet and former mining town, which is surrounded by incomparable mountain views and wilderness.

Along the way riders will traverse some of the most stunning scenery in the country, taking in the rocky terrain of Powerline and breathtaking views from the summit of Columbine Mine, which peaks at 12,516 feet.

New for 2024, the route will also head through Outward Bound property at mile 24.8, adding 1.2 miles of single track before rejoining with the traditional route.

The riders must contend with the effects of altitude, as well as each other, as they push themselves to their limits in one of the most prestigious cross-country MTB races in the world.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL COURSE DETAILS

With Crusher in the Tushar unfortunately canceled due to forest fires, both the men’s and women’s competitions remain tantalizingly poised heading into Leadville with Haley Smith the new leader of the women’s competition on account of her being the highest-placed Life Time Grand Prix finisher at UNBOUND Gravel 200 (in fourth position). Sofia Gomez Villafane, who finished 15th at UNBOUND, sits just four points behind her in the overall standings and will be aiming to narrow the lead in Colorado after her incredible solo triumph here last year.

In the men’s competition, Keegan Swenson leads Payson McElveen by a single point and his confidence will be high given he’s won the three most recent editions of this race in stunning style. Matthew Beers sits just two points further behind in third with Lachlan Morton up fourth position after his incredible success at UNBOUND.

Following the cancellation of Crusher in the Tushar, the Life Time Grand Prix is now following a best four out of six format, allowing athletes to count their top four performances out of the six scheduled events.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CURRENT LEADERBOARDS

For the first time ever at Leadville, both the elite men’s and women’s races have separate start times. The elite men will get going at 6:15am with the women commencing at 6:20am. The first amateur riders will then start 12 and a half minutes after the elite women, creating additional separation between the two fields.

You can watch extended highlights from the opening two rounds of the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix, and recaps of the last two editions of Leadville, on our official YouTube channel.

Kimo Seymour, Life Time President Media & Events, said: “After the difficult decision to cancel Crusher in the Tushar due to the devastating forest fires in Piute County, we’re looking forward to seeing the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda make its return at the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik.

“With the updated best four of six format for the Life Time Grand Prix, Leadville is sure to bring even steeper competition. For the first time since the start of the 2023 season we have a new female leader in Haley Smith, and the top three men are split by just three points. We’re super excited to see how the races will play out.”

GET INVOLVED

In addition to the pros, hundreds of amateurs will tackle the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, testing themselves against the world’s best riders to earn a coveted Leadville silver or gold belt buckle. Complementing the race is the free, outdoor and open-to-the-public Race Across the Sky Expo taking place on Thursday and Friday, August 8 and 9, in downtown Leadville. The Expo will feature a wide variety of vendors with best-in-class cycling products along with free swag and product demos, live podcasts and beer tents.

The Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik is the third of six coveted MTB and gravel events across the US which make up the Life Time Grand Prix. Sixty of the world’s best off-road endurance cyclists (30 men and 30 women) have been selected to battle it out for a record $300,000 prize purse, which will be split equally among the male and female athletes.

New for 2024:

– A revised scoring system, which will increase the points difference between the top six finishers of each race from one to two (i.e. the first place finisher will receive 35 points, second place 33, third place 31 points, and so on). This means there is even more to fight for at the very top of the standings.

– The elite men and women will have separate start times at all seven events, making each race more competitive and easier to follow.

– The first-ever Life Time Grand Prix Fantasy League has been introduced. Click to find out more here.

The remaining 2024 Life Time Grand Prix events include:

September 14 – 40 Mile MTB at Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival presented by Trek

This spectacular MTB race takes athletes on a rollercoaster ride across the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, with back-to-back climbs and a multitude of surfaces, serving up a real war of attrition before the winner is crowned at the Great Hall in Cable. Click to find out more here.

September 28 – 110 Mile Gravel at Life Time The Rad Dirt Fest

This out-and-back trek takes in the towering Spanish Peaks and expansive mesas for which Southern Colorado is famous – complete with 10,613 feet of climbing and a host of uniquely challenging terrain along the way. Click to find out more here.

October 19 – 100 Mile Gravel at Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda

100 miles of gloriously chunky gravel and 7,000 feet of remote, rugged and spectacular climbing across the Ozark Mountains awaits the riders before the curtain falls on the 2024 series in Bentonville. Click to find out more here.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS KIT

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 39,000 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.