About
The Leadville Trail Marathon & Heavy Half is a pair of high-altitude trail races that kick off the Leadville Race Series season. Both courses take runners through the historic mining district and up toward Mosquito Pass - the highest continuous pass in the country - delivering breathtaking scenery, lung-burning climbs, and a true mountain running experience. The full Trail Marathon challenges you over 26.4 miles of rugged dirt roads and singletrack, while the Heavy Half offers a rewarding 15.5-mile option that shares much of the same terrain. Whether you’re chasing personal bests or yearning for an epic mountain adventure, these races test your grit, pacing, and determination above 10,000 ft.Trail Marathon, Heavy Half and Waitlists
View detailsSat, Jun 27, 2026
View logisticsLeadville, United States
View locationWhere and when
Location: Leadville, CO 80461, USA
Start times: Trail Marathon: 6:30 AM, Heavy Half: 9:00 AM
Event summary
Here are the distances available for 2026 Life Time Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva
- Trail Marathon: 26.2 miles - free
- Heavy Half: 13.1 miles - free
- Waitlists: free
Route information
Trail Marathon: Approximately 26.4 miles out-and-back on old mining roads and singletrack, climbing toward Mosquito Pass.
Heavy Half: Around 15.46 miles along the same path as the marathon but without the Ball Mountain section, making it a shorter, yet still demanding, test.
- Both courses feature steady climbs, high-elevation terrain, varied surfaces, and panoramic mountain views.
- Expect altitude, occasional snow on course, and well-marked routes through Colorado’s high alpine trails.
- Multiple staffed aid stations provide hydration, fuel, and nutrition along the way.
What's included
- Fully marked out-and-back mountain course with on-course support
- Multiple aid stations offering hydration, fuel, and nutrition
- Race bib and chip timing for official results
- Finisher awards for overall and age-group standings
- Post-race celebration and awards ceremony
- Opportunity to earn a Leadville Trail 100 Run qualifier entry through performance or lottery
How to get there
Leadville, CO 80461, USA
The races take place in Leadville, Colorado, a historic mountain town perched above 10,000 ft in the Rockies.
The start and finish are located near the downtown Leadville area, making it easy to enjoy local eateries, support zones, and spectator spots.
Lodging options include hotels, cabins, and campgrounds in Leadville and nearby Twin Lakes — booking early is recommended.
Weather can be variable at high altitude, so plan for cool starts and potential winds or showers later in the day.
Event day logistics
Friday
- Packet pickup at the expo with race materials and pre-race atmosphere.
Saturday – Race Day
- Early morning packet pickup near the start/finish area.
- Trail Marathon start: Morning self-seeded rolling start, with pace group signs to help you position yourself.
- Heavy Half start: Later in the morning with its own self-seeded rolling start.
- Throughout the day, runners tackle scenic, challenging terrain at their own pace.
- Afternoon awards ceremony celebrates top finishers and includes a Leadville Trail 100 Run qualifier coin giveaway.