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Author:mw29

Qualifying for the Leadville 100 Run

Qualifying Process + Race Lotteries​

The Leadville 100 Run is an iconic race that covers 100 miles through the Sawatch Mountains located in Leadville, CO. Unlike any other endurance event, Leadville is uniquely challenging making it a sought after and competitive race entry.

Leadville offers a lottery system for entry as well as a qualifying system. The lottery closes in December of each year.

Qualifying Races with distances, locations, dates, other important info​

Leadville Trail Marathon​

  • Distance: 26.4 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 6,167 ft
  • Starting Elevation: 10,100 ft
  • Dates: June 27, 2026
  • Location: Leadville, CO

Silver Rush 50 Run​

  • Distance: 48.4 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 7,503 ft
  • Starting Elevation: ~10,000 ft
  • Dates: July 11, 2026
  • Location: Leadville, CO
  • Additional Information: There is an additional coin given to the first female and male athletes to make it up the first hill. People often use this race as a tune up for Leadville.

Tahoe Trail Run​

  • Distance: 50k (31 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: ~4,700 ft
  • Starting Elevation: 6,300
  • Dates: July 19th, 2026
  • Location: Truckee, CA

Coldwater Trail Run​

  • Distance: 50k (31 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 3,488 ft
  • Starting Elevation: 702 ft
  • Dates: October 30, 2026
  • Location: Anniston, AL
  • Additional Information: This race is a new qualifier as of 2025. It also seems to be the least competitive based on this past year's finish times.

Austin Rattler Run​

  • Distance: 50k (31 miles)
  • Elevation Gain: 2757 ft
  • Starting Elevation: 1,110 ft
  • Dates: November 14, 2026
  • Location: Burnet County, Texas
  • Additional Information: This course consists of 3 10-mile loops with an aid station at the start/finish line (every ten miles). This is also the only race on this list I've done.

Using Stack to Qualify​

I qualified for Leadville by placing second overall in the Austin Rattler 50k. This was not my goal when I signed up and my result was not just sheer luck. Instead, I took an unconventional approach to training. You can read about the specifics here, I started ignoring paces and distances. I focused on having fun with every run and, for the first time, really listened to my body. This approach worked better than I could have ever imagined. Long story short, I created Stack as a way to make running more fun and to really listen to your body.

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