Extreme trail runners go the distance and find camaraderie

By Malena Larsen

Trail and ultra running has a rich history and a flourishing presence in Colorado. From the prestigious Leadville 100 Trail Run to smaller, yet equally impactful events like the Great Divide 50K, the state offers a diverse range of races spanning different distances and levels of difficulty. Whether we are running 50 kilometers, 100 miles, or even greater distances, runners undertake these challenges for a multitude of personal motivations.

Photo courtesy of The Leadville Trail 100

As a runner, ultra running is an opportunity to test what I’m capable of, push my mental and physical limits and spend time with like minded people. Hitting the trail allows me to quiet my mind and gives me space from the world’s happenings.

“I believe running provides the potential for individuals to better understand themselves,” shares Jordan Ricks, owner and director of Revenant Running. “We live in a world of comfort. Ultra running is one of the places we get an authentic human experience. It forces us to experience feelings we often try to avoid.”

Ultra running is a family affair for Ricks. He assisted his brother with the Mad Moose Events for four years before launching his own race series, Revenant Running, with the goal of being close to his family and highlighting underrated spots in Woodland Park and the surrounding areas.

Additionally, Ricks’ dad was an ultra runner in the 1980s, when he would sign up for the Leadville 100 Trail Run (LT100) the night before the race—an act unheard of in today’s running culture, where the race now manages entries with a competitive lottery system.

From miners to milers

The LT100 was founded by former Colorado legislator Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin in 1983. The race was started as a tactic to draw attention to Leadville after the closure of the Climax Mine.

“This town is built on the strong mining community,” shares Leadville race director Tamira Jenlink. “The trails we run are built on this community. You feel it when you’re out there. There’s a magic to Leadville.”

Jenlink has been involved with the Leadville events for the last 13 years as a racer, volunteer and now race director. Through the years, she has seen the race grow immensely in popularity. In fact, it’s considered one of the most well-known endurance running events in the world. So, what sets it apart?

“There are many fantastic races out there,” says Jenlink. “But at least for me as a trail runner, you can really lose yourself around here. The backdrop, the mountains, these hills, the elevation—it’s alluring.”

LT100 is an out-and-back course that starts and finishes in Leadville. Every year in August, runners take on the race that starts at over 10,000 feet. It comes with the technical terrain of the Colorado Trail, including the trek up to Hope Pass at 12,600 feet. Once the race is all said and done, runners will have conquered over 18,000 feet of elevation gain.

In addition to the incredible typography and immense challenge of the course, many runners are drawn to the community aspect of the LT100. According to Jenlink: “Ken (Chlouber) and Merilee (Maupin) decided the race was going to be focused around family. And by gosh, 40 years later, it really is about family. We all show up together. If you’re part of this event, you’re part of this family.”

Jenlink recalls all the moments when she witnessed runners selflessly sacrificing their own race goals to aid someone in need, particularly during 2023’s LT100 when the weather was hot and relentless. She reflects on the heartwarming support that the final runners receive as they cross the finish line, just before the 30-hour cut off.

“We get the luxury to see people attempt this race two, three, four times,” she says. “We’ve been on a journey with some people for 10 years, making it even more special when they cross that finish line.”

Alternatives abound

The LT100 is undoubtedly iconic; it’s a dream and bucket list item for many runners. However, the entry fee and lottery system aren’t realistic for everyone. Luckily, there is no shortage of ultra options in this state.

My first ultra when I moved to Colorado was the Great Divide 50k, a Revenant Running event.

“We cap a lot of our races around 200-250 people,” Ricks says. “In bigger races, you really get lost in the hustle and bustle. In my interactions with people, they are hungry for a community. Of course, the running is important. But the community is arguably more important.”

The Revenant Race Series includes five races, four of which are located in Colorado.

“I’ve been raised in the community (Woodland Park),” Ricks shares. “For the longest time, there weren’t many runners or hikers. Even people from Colorado Springs don’t come up here. I want to introduce people to an area that wasn’t originally an outdoor community.”

In 2023, The Great Divide 50k introduced me to the vibrant, mountainous area of Divide, which is just under an hour from Colorado Springs. I had just moved to Colorado a few months prior. The race allowed me to explore the stunning landscape of Mueller State Park—a hidden gem that as a Minnesota native, I may have missed if not for this event.

The Great Divide 50k consists of two course loops within Mueller State Park, adding up to approximately 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Runners start the first loop clockwise and run the consecutive loop in the opposite direction. The course features a mix of single and double track trails, offering a challenging, yet not-too-technical racing experience. Unlike many ultra races, all aid stations are crew accessible and allow for drop bags during the Great Divide events.

I remember chatting with Ricks around mile 15, right before starting my second and final loop. He asked me if I was enjoying the race and if I had any thoughts on how it could be improved. This brief interaction was a quick glimpse into the personalized experience of smaller races.

“With the Great Divide races being a looped course, I get to see runners coming in every 15 miles or so,” Ricks says. “I see excitement turn into great discomfort. I see runners thinking they can’t continue but then we get them back out on the course. They go to the darkest places but then they are able to recover.”

It doesn’t matter if the race is 50 kilometers or 100 miles, mental fortitude is a staple at any ultra event.

“We find that ultra running is not just about physical change, it’s also about how we can emotionally and spiritually change,” Jenlink shares. “Our brains are built to grow. It’s built on survival. Trail running pushes the edges of comfort. It makes you realize you can do more than you thought you could.”

Races like LT100 and the Great Divide 50K, prove that regardless of prestige or scale, the true essence of ultra running lies in the discipline, challenge, discomfort and community experienced on the trails. Whether you’re running a renowned race after securing a lottery spot or signing up for a smaller, more accessible event, there’s no “wrong way” to run an ultra. The true mistake would be denying yourself the chance to test your limits.

Malena Larsen is a writer and Minnesota transplant. In addition to writing, she spends her time running in the mountains, visiting local craft breweries, and avoiding aggressive geese.

This story is in our May-June print issue. Click here to read the full magazine.