Last updated August 17, 2024--
The 2025 event date is not confirmed -- The Silver Rush 50 MTB! Oh, where to start; the Rush is a hard-charging endurance mountain bike race at the altitudes of Leadville, Colorado, which is part of the Leadville Race Series and organized by Life Time Events. The team here at Strambecco considers the Silver Rush 50 MTB to be one of the Best Mountain Bike Events in Colorado and the Best Mountain Bike Events in the Rockies. For our multi-sport athletes looking for an extra challenge, its sister trail running event, the Silver Rush 50 Run, takes place the day before. The Silver Rush 50 MTB is also a qualifier event for the famed Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
In a rush, you will "Take on 50 miles that will test your skills and endurance. Technical climbs and descents are met with the glorious mountain views of Leadville. 8,000 feet of elevation gain over these 50 miles presents an excellent test." Good fitness is a must in this race, and we highly recommend that if you are coming from sea level, you plan to arrive there at least 3-4 days in advance to let your red blood cells accumulate; otherwise, more suffering is guaranteed.
The 50-mile out-and-back course takes racers through the historic mining district on the east side of Leadville. Primarily on dirt roads, first set by miners and their mules, it will begin at the Cloud City Ski Hut (located just below Colorado Mountain College on Hwy 24 on the South end of Leadville). None of the roads used will be closed to vehicle traffic, so please use caution. The route will take runners by and between many grand and historic gold and silver mines. The highest point of the course is a whopping 12,000 feet.
The Silver Rush 50 is part of the Leadville Race Series, which holds some of the top endurance mountain bike races in the country, including:
- Wilmington Whiteface
- Lutsen 99er
- Silver Rush 50 MTB
- Leadville Stage Race
- Barn Burner
- Austin Rattler
- Leadville 100
- Tahoe Trail
The Rush 50 is a Leadville 100 qualifier. If you are unaware of the Leadville 100, it is a world-famous endurance mountain bike event you must qualify for. Every event in the Leadville Race Series is a qualifying event (only in the 100-mile/longest length categories in each respective race). If you finish the race in a certain time, you have earned your right to race in Leadville 100.
The Silver Rush 50 MTB and the Leadville Race Series are owned and operated by Life Time Events. Life Time Events is a top operator in the United States and is known for having good logistics, aid stations, and overall top-level organization, so you can expect your race to be in good hands. Life Time owns and operates some of the country's top events, including the Silver Rush 50 Trail Run (happening the same weekend and one of the Best Trail Running Events in the Rockies), Unbound Gravel (formerly Dirty Kanza), Crusher in the Tushar, Sea Otter Classic, and many more.
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