The ultramarathon was founded by Ken Chlouber in 1982, following the closure of the Climax molybdenum mine, which left Chlouber and 3,200 others unemployed.
While looking for a way to raise local morale and to entice tourists to Leadville, longtime trail runner Chlouber heard about a proposed 100-mile trail run encountering bureaucratic trouble in Vail.
Chlouber got in touch with the nascent run’s organizer, and arranged to fast-forward the permit process if the race were transferred to Leadville. Forty-five runners entered the debut LT100. Those numbers leaped after the race was televised on sports shows in 1985.
The route: 50 miles out and back. Lowest point: 9,200 feet. Highest point: 12,600 feet (Hope Pass).
The 11 aid stations include five medical checkpoints. Runners must leave the race if they miss a checkpoint deadline.
