by The Leadville 100 is a legendary race known for its grueling 100-mile course through the rugged terrain of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. In the 2024 edition, the race witnessed two extraordinary performances as David Roche and Mary Denholm made history with their phenomenal runs. Roche broke a long-standing men’s course record, while Denholm posted the second-fastest women’s time ever recorded. Let’s dive into the details of this year’s race, which saw endurance, grit, and sheer determination on full display.
Key Takeaways
- David Roche shattered the men’s Leadville 100 course record with a time of 15:26:34.
- Mary Denholm set the second-fastest time in women’s Leadville 100 history, finishing in 18:23:51.
- The Leadville 100 remains one of the most challenging ultra-marathons globally, with over 18,000 feet of vertical gain.
- Roche led from start to finish, dominating the men’s race by 30 minutes.
- Denholm’s victory in the women’s race was a commanding performance, finishing over three hours ahead of her nearest rival.
Leadville 100 Run 2024 Top 10 Results
The Leadville 100, often referred to as the “Race Across the Sky,” is one of the most iconic ultra-marathons in the world. Established in 1983, this race tests the limits of endurance athletes as they navigate a 100-mile out-and-back course through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The race starts and ends in Leadville, a town situated at an altitude of 10,119 feet above sea level, with runners ascending to a peak elevation of 12,600 feet. With over 18,000 feet of total elevation gain, the Leadville 100 challenges even the most seasoned ultra-runners.
Men’s Race Breakdown: Roche a Class Apart
David Roche entered the 2024 Leadville 100 with a bold goal: to break Matt Carpenter’s legendary course record of 15:42:59 set in 2005. From the very beginning, Roche asserted his dominance, leading the race from the first hour. By the time he reached Twin Lakes, he had already opened up a nine-minute lead over his closest competitor, Adrian Macdonald.
As the race progressed, Roche continued to build on his lead, reaching the halfway point at Winfield with an 11-minute cushion. Despite the challenging course and high altitude, Roche maintained his blistering pace, eventually crossing the finish line in 15:26:34—shattering Carpenter’s record by over 16 minutes. His victory was a statement performance, finishing exactly 30 minutes ahead of second-place Macdonald.
Top 10 Men’s Results
| Rank | Name | Category | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Roche | 30-39 | 15:26:34 |
| 2 | Adrian Macdonald | 30-39 | 15:56:34 |
| 3 | Ryan Sullivan | 30-39 | 17:21:39 |
| 4 | Will Murray | 20-29 | 17:29:07 |
| 5 | Robbie Britton | 30-39 | 17:56:10 |
| 6 | Corey Kallembach | 30-39 | 18:18:25 |
| 7 | Mark Gaudet | 30-39 | 18:23:48 |
| 8 | JP Giblin | 30-39 | 18:30:14 |
| 9 | Bo Shelby | 20-29 | 18:35:08 |
| 10 | Vince Paikowski | 20-29 | 18:47:54 |
Women’s Race Breakdown: Denholm Dominates from Start to Finish
Mary Denholm was the undisputed queen of the Leadville 100 in 2024. From the start at Mayqueen, Denholm took control of the women’s race, steadily building her lead. By the time she descended into Twin Lakes Village, she had already put 22 minutes between herself and the rest of the field.
As the race continued, Denholm only extended her lead. By the Winfield turnaround, she was a staggering 50 minutes ahead, with Julie Wright and Katelyn McDaniel vying for second and third. Denholm’s dominance was so pronounced that by the time she crossed the finish line, she was more than three hours ahead of her nearest rival. Her finishing time of 18:23:51 was the second-fastest in the history of the race, just shy of Ann Trason’s record from 1994.
Top 10 Women’s Results
| Rank | Name | Category | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Denholm | 30-39 | 18:23:51 |
| 2 | Zoe Rom | 30-39 | 21:27:41 |
| 3 | Julie Wright | 30-39 | 21:48:57 |
| 4 | Jaclyn Foroughi | 40-49 | 22:34:15 |
| 5 | Mickey Davis | 30-39 | 23:06:52 |
| 6 | Hannah Jochem | 30-39 | 23:13:11 |
| 7 | Becki Lynn Bauer | 40-49 | 23:20:32 |
| 8 | Kelly Brophy | 30-39 | 23:37:59 |
| 9 | Nicole Bitter | 40-49 | 23:56:46 |
| 10 | Miranda Kaltenborn | 30-39 | 24:25:51 |
Closing Thoughts
The 2024 Leadville 100 will be remembered as a year of extraordinary performances, with David Roche and Mary Denholm leaving an indelible mark on the race’s storied history. Roche’s record-breaking run and Denholm’s dominant victory highlighted the intense competition and unyielding spirit that define the Leadville 100. As the ultra-running community celebrates these achievements, the bar has been raised once again for future participants in this iconic race.
