Leadville Stage Race 2026

Leadville Stage Race 2026

Presented by Life Time Events · Updated August 2025
Mountain Biking
Leadville, CO
Jul 24–26, 2026
Difficulty 48 · Demanding Stage Race Solo Moderate Ultra Extreme Climbing Dirt Road Alpine

Stage 1

Distance
40 miles
Elevation Gain
4,812 feet
Terrain
dirt-road
Mid-Distance · Rolling

Stage 2

Distance
22 miles
Elevation Gain
4,035 feet
Terrain
dirt-road
Short · Rolling

Stage 3

Distance
41 miles
Elevation Gain
4,872 feet
Terrain
dirt-road
Mid-Distance · Rolling
Duration
3 Days
Register

About This Event

The Leadville Stage Race 2026 takes the course of the historic Leadville Trail 100 MTB and spreads it over three exciting days. Riders get the chance to win daily prizes and maybe even wear the leader’s jersey on days two and three. The event is produced by Life Time Events, which organizes some of the Best Mountain Bike Events in Colorado and the Rockies. Being a Life Time production, you can expect a well-organized event logistically from solid aid stations (tons of cookies) and well-marked courses. The Leadville Stage Race 2026 walks the line of many famous trails from the Leadville 100 and attracts some of the fastest riders in the country. A unique event by all means and one that the Strambecco editors highly recommend.

The 100-mile out-and-back course is split into three stages amid the Colorado Rockies. The low point of 9,200 feet is located at the Twin Lakes dam. The high point is Columbine Mine, at 12,513 feet. The majority of the course is on mountain two-track fire roads. A sub-11-hour finish time is required to be considered an official Stage Race Finisher.

Stage 1 is 40 miles with 4,812 feet of gain. Stage 2 is the easier hump-day race, with 22 miles of distance and 4,035 feet of elevation gain. Stage 3, the finishing day, is lengthened at 41 miles with a grueling 4,872 feet of elevation gain. Important to note is how much harder this race is due to the altitude. The highest points on the three-day ranges are above 11,000′, and day two caps out at above 12,000 feet, so if you are coming from sea level, please make sure you get to Leadville at least four days early to get your red blood cell counts up.

This event is a Leadville 100 MTB qualifier, which is a notoriously grueling and the most famous endurance mountain bike race in the world. To ride in it, you have to qualify, and this stage event is one of the Leadville Race Series events. Finish the stage race in a certain amount of time, and you will qualify for the Leadville 100 MTB.

Life Time Events

Event Organizer
View organizer Visit website

Life Time Events is a premier organizer of endurance events across the United States, known for hosting some of the most iconic cycling and trail running competitions. With a mission to inspire healthier, happier lives, Life Time Events brings together athletes from all over the world to participate in challenging and celebrated events.

Prominent Events Organized by Life Time Events:

  1. Leadville Race Series
    • Description: The Leadville Race Series includes the legendary Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Leadville Trail 100 Run, two of the most challenging endurance events globally. Participants compete at high altitudes in the rugged terrains of Colorado, making these races a true test of endurance and mental toughness. Other events in the series include the Silver Rush 50 MTB, Leadville Stage Race, and Silver Rush 50 Run.
    • Links:
  2. Sea Otter Classic
    • Description: Held in Monterey, California, the Sea Otter Classic is one of the largest and most diverse cycling festivals in the world. The event features a wide range of races, including road, mountain, and e-bike competitions, along with a massive expo that draws cycling enthusiasts from around the globe.
    • Link: Sea Otter Classic
  3. Unbound Gravel
    • Description: Unbound Gravel, formerly known as Dirty Kanza, is a premier gravel race held in Emporia, Kansas. It offers multiple race distances, including the grueling 350-mile XL route. The event is a cornerstone of the gravel racing community, known for its challenging terrain and the strong camaraderie among participants.
    • Link: Unbound Gravel
  4. Life Time Grand Prix Series
  5. Tour of the Battenkill
    • Description: Known as the “Queen of the Classics,” this challenging mixed-surface race takes place in Greenwich, New York. It’s renowned for its scenic yet demanding course through rural roads and offers a vibrant post-race celebration.
    • Link: Tour of the Battenkill

Life Time Events continues to set the standard in endurance sports, offering world-class competitions that challenge athletes while fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Whether you’re into trail running, mountain biking, or gravel racing, Life Time Events provides opportunities to push your limits in some of the most stunning landscapes across the U.S.

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