[Editor’s Note: This article was written by guest columnist Clare Gunton.]
After weeks of uncertainty caused by the Willow Fire outside of Leadville, Colorado, entrants and supporters of the 2026 Leadville Race Series, including the Leadville 100 Mile, scheduled for August 22, received welcome news when organizers announced that, barring any significant changes in fire conditions or air quality, the remainder of the race season is expected to continue as planned.
The Willow fire outside of Leadville, Colorado on July 14. Photo: Dan Crespo
In an announcement on July 15, organizers of the Leadville Race Series confirmed plans to proceed with the Leadville Mountain Bike Stage Race, the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, the Leadville 10k, and the Leadville 100 Mile run.
Organizers added that courses will require reroutes due to the fire’s impact, but expressed their excitement at having “the green light to move ahead with the rest of our race season.” The fire most immediately affected the Sugarloaf area of the Leadville 100 Mile, between the Mayqueen and Outward Bound aid stations, including the famed Powerline section. Since the course is an out-and-back, the original course traces through the fire zone twice. The organization also noted that all final decisions remain subject to change based on factors including the Air Quality Index (AQI) and any changes in the fire’s status.
David Roche winning the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and setting a new course record. Photo: Life Time
The Willow Fire, which had burnt more than 6,800 acres west of Leadville as of the announcement, began on June 28, causing mandatory evacuations, temporary closures of forests and roads, and numerous air quality alerts in the area. It also led to the cancellation of the Silver Rush 50 Mile run and mountain bike races, originally scheduled for July 6 and 12, respectively.
The Leadville Race Series attracts thousands of runners and riders to its 10 mountain biking and running events in Leadville, the highest incorporated city in America at 10,152 feet (3,100 meters). The Leadville-based events run between June and August each year, and the organization also hosts two multi-day training camps. Its marquee events are the 100-mile run and mountain bike events, and the Leadville 100 Mile run is one of the oldest 100-mile trail races in America, and the largest. The series is a major economic driver for the city of Leadville.
A section of the Leadville 100 Mile. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
While organizers continue to monitor conditions closely, the announcement provides some certainty for the thousands of athletes preparing to travel to Leadville in the coming weeks for the various races.
