More than 600 runners from all 50 states and 41 countries competed in the iconic ‘Race Across the Sky’ held in Leadville Aug. 18 & 19. This world-renown 100-mile foot race travels through the challenging Colorado Rockies terrain with elevations ranging from 9,200 to 12,600 feet, with a total elevation climb of more than 14,000 feet.
Rob Krar won the race for the second time with his prior win in 2014 finishing in 15:51:57, beating his previous time of 16:09:32. Krar is only the second person in the history of the race to finish under 16 hours. Krar also raced the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race last weekend and finished 14th overall. Ryan Kaiser, finished second in 17:37:23 and Seth Kelly of finished third in 18:15:29.
“Going back to Leadville four years after I first ran it was definitely a magical experience,” Krar said. “Back in 2014 when I ran it, at the time it was my most difficult 100 mile race ever, so I had been wanting to come back and have a more amicable experience.”
Krar, who says he had a “tough couple years” with injuries and personal issues, is hoping that this win will have a snowball effect and give him the momentum he needs to get his running back on track.
In the women’s division, Katie Arnold, took the top honor in her first 100 trail race and won with a finishing in 19:53:40, good for 11th overall. Addie Bracy, finished second in 21:17:12 and Gina Slaby, finished third in 23:13:03.
The Leadville Trail 100 Run also marked the fifth and final challenge for those who competed for the titles of Leadman and Leadwoman. To earn the title of Leadman or Leadwoman, each athlete must also complete the Leadville Trail Marathon, Leadville Silver Rush 50-Mile Mountain Bike or Silver Rush 50-Mile Trail Run, Leadville Trail 100 MTB and the Leadville Trail 10K Run. This year, Joel Anderson finished seventh overall in the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 19:21:55 and claimed the Leadman title. Suzie Talley won the Leadwoman title finishing the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 24:49:55.
Elite athlete Dave Mackey completed the final race of the grueling Leadville Race Series to achieve the coveted Leadman title. More impressive is the fact that Mackey, 48, completed the series only 20 months after having his leg amputated.
Previously in 2014, Mackey completed the Leadville series, placing 2nd overall. Tragically, 10 months later he experienced a horrific accident while trail running. After multiple surgeries and an eventual amputation in November 2016, he was determined to attempt Leadman once again, this time, with his new prosthetic leg.
The Leadman title is given to challengers who complete the entire Leadville Race Series during July and August: the Leadville Trail Marathon, Silver Rush 50 (mile) Mountain Bike, Silver Rush 50 (mile) Run, Leadville Trail 100 (mile) Mountain Bike, Leadville 10K Run and the Leadville Trail 100 (mile) Run. This year, 99 runners started the series and only 44 finished: 38 men and 6 women.
Mackey’s times for the Leadville Series, which features elevation from 10,200 to 12,600 feet through the Colorado Rockies are as follows:
- Leadville Trail Marathon – 4:52:42
- Silver Rush 50 Mountain Bike – 5:29:04
- Silver Rush 50 Run – 9:45:03
- Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike – 9:40:53
- Leadville 10K Run – 55:45
- Leadville Trail 100 Run – 24:55:15
“It’s crazy to run 100 miles with a prosthetic leg,” said Mackey after finishing the race. “There’s so much more potential for problems beyond the regular ultrarunning problems: cramping, blown quads and sour stomach. Yet somehow, I was able to mitigate skin damage in my socket.”
“My longest run was 50 miles in July and it almost crushed me. I had big problems in the 100 mile race like many runners do, and seriously considered dropping due to blown quads at 50 miles, but thanks to keeping on and excellent pacers, I worked through it.”
“100 miles is light years harder than any other race I’ve ever run. All in all, even I am blown away by the outcome: 24:55:15 for the ‘big belt buckle’. Leadman finale, mission accomplished!”
Before losing his leg, Mackey was a champion trail runner. He won North American Ultrarunner of the Year in 2011, was a two-time USA Track and Field Ultrarunner of the Year, won USA Track and Field trail titles for the 50K, 50 mile and 100K distances and was the first to run under 7 hours on the famous rim-to-rim-to-rim trail across the Grand Canyon with a time of 6:59:56.
Now, Mackey has the distinction any athlete would covet: he is a two-time Leadman finisher.
Mackey’s next race will be the New York City Marathon on November 4, followed by the JFK 50 Mile on November 17, which he won in 2003, but has not raced since. Follow Dave Mackey on Instagram and check out the Team Altra Facebook page to stay updated on Mackey and all the accomplishments of Altra Elite and Red Teams.
“It’s truly inspiring and amazing to watch participants at the Leadville Trail 100 Run cross the finish line each year and see the spirit of racing in Leadville is forever with them,” said Ken Chlouber, Founder of the Leadville Race Series. “Congratulations to our overall winners Rob and Katie and let’s celebrate all the runners who gave it their all on the race course this past weekend. All of our participants are champions in our eyes and inspire us to push beyond what we think is possible in our own healthy way of life journeys.”
About the Leadville Race Series
Started with only 45 runners as the Leadville Trail 100 in 1983, the Leadville Race Series now consists of seven running events and four mountain biking events, plus six events in the Leadville Qualifying Series. The Race Series stretches across three months, and hosts thousands of racers on foot and on mountain bike in some of the world’s most iconic events. Endurance athletes worldwide now make the pilgrimage to Leadville, Colo., with the single goal of competing in “The Race Across the Sky.” Visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com for more information.
About Altra
While working at a running store, Altra founder Golden Harper was frustrated that modern running shoe technology caused poor running form and had not decreased running injuries. His passion to create a shoe that followed the science produced Altra’s FootShape™ toe box and Zero Drop™ platform. Since its founding in 2011, Harper and co-founder Brian Beckstead have grown Altra from one to 30 shoe styles, winning multiple Editor’s Choice awards and distribution in more than 60 countries. Join the conversation @AltraRunning and #ZeroLimits on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.