Nearly 2,000 riders will participate in the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race on Aug. 13, according to Life Time Fitness.


Beginning and ending in the heart of Leadville, CO, located 100 miles west of Denver, participants from 50 states and 28 countries will race on a demanding course with steep, technical climbs and descents and elevations ranging from 9,000 to 12,620 feet along the 104-mile out-and-back course.


This years event includes a strong field of competitors including two-time defending Leadville Trail 100 MTB winner and womens record holder Rebecca Rusch and six-time Leadville Trail 100 champion Dave Wiens. Both will be joined this year by some of the best mountain bikers in the world, including women:  Sari Anderson, Kelli Emmett, Pua Mata, Gretchen Reeves, Jenny Smith and men Jeremiah Bishop, Bart Brentjens, Carl Decker, Bill Demong, Peter Glassford, Alex Grant, Jay Henry, Tim Johnson, Tinker Juarez and Ned Overend.


Once again, the lure of Leadville has assembled a tremendous field, and we are looking forward to showcasing the incredible athleticism and spirit of these athletes, said Kenneth Cooper, vice president of Life Time Fitness Athletic and Endurance Events. The caliber of riders participating this year will create a challenging race and we anticipate a great day of competition.


Life Time also is proud to present the Leadville 10K Run August 14. The run features paved and dirt roads on an out-and-back course that spans the first and last 3.1 miles of the legendary Leadville Trail 100 Run course. All 10K finishers receive a commemorative cup. The field is limited to 1,000 runners and advanced registration is required.


The weekend will test the fortitude of the 48 athletes still eligible for the Leadman and Leadwoman Challenge. Each athlete is entered in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race as well as the Leadville 10K Run the next day. The races represent the third and fourth legs of the five event challenge, which ends August 20 with the Leadville Trail 100 Run.


About the Leadville Race Series
Launched with 45 runners as the Leadville Trail 100 in 1983, the Leadville Race Series now consists of six running events and three mountain biking events. The Leadville Race Series hosts thousands of racers on foot and on mountain bike in some of the worlds most iconic events and environment. It begins each July with the Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half Marathon events and concludes with the 12/24 Hours of Leadville MTB and Run in September.


As of Aug. 2, Life Time Fitness operated 92 centers under the Life Time Fitness and Lifte Time Athletic brands primarily in suburban locations in 21 states and 26 major markets.