2015's Leadville 100 Trail Run: Becoming a Statistic

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face,” stated former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.  While seated in a gymnasium full of runners, the Leadville 100 trail run (LT100) founder, Ken Clouber, recited the quote but added his own touch of flair to the statement.

“And the Leadville 100 will punch you in the face…lots of times!”

I felt ready for the fight.

Selfless

"Should I recognize you?" I quizzed the man with the snow-caked beard. "Didn't you win the Leadville Trail 100 run last year?"

"Oh," he chuckled with teeth flashing through his Grizzly Adams whiskers. "I was actually the second fastest beard in Leadville last year as I ended up in 7th place."
__________________________________________________________________________________

Like Father, Like Son

"He's young," stated Gary while pointing to Shasta, one llama out of six that were going to be strung together, nose to butt, to pack gear out. "He had a few training walks at home along the river and his first real trip was coming up here...he did pretty well," Gary added.

The 2014 Leadville 100 (LT100) trail race was over and the Hope Pass aid station had been broken down, packaged tight and compartmentalized into panniers to be hung on the llama pack trains.