Leadville Trail 100 Run

Distances: 100 mi (or to be more precise I think it actually was 103 mi)
http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/311976-lt-100-mile-run
As I was getting ready for Leadville to be my first 100 miler, other runners told me I choose a doozy to start off. But from my perspective there is no 'easy' 100 miler, may as well start with what you love and I love the high country. With 800 entrants Leadville has more starters than any other 100 I've heard of. This may be partially due to the low entry requirements, specifically it does not require any successful 50 mi finishes or volunteer work prior to the race. Also, coincidentally, less than half of the starters will finish which is a low finish rater even by ultramarathon standards. Lots of people talk up the big climbs, Sugarloaf and Hope Pass, but for me the flat area between those two hills was the most difficult part. It was a nice goal to focus on getting to the top or bottom of a hill, while just marching onto the endless horizon was exceedingly frustrating. The year I raced was the first year they were able to eliminate the dreaded, dusty road leading into the turnaround at Winfield in favor of singletrack trail. While I am generally in favor of more trail having two way traffic on narrow trail 50 miles into the race was challenging. As you'd expect from any 100 that's become an icon over it's 30 year existence the race was very well organized. I especially appreciated the enthusiasm from the townspeople of Leadville and the fact that every aid station had a decent crowd of cheering spectators no matter the hour.

Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon

Distances: marathon, 13.32 mi
http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/index.htm
Pikes Peak Ascent is a butt-kicker and an education. The Ascent starts in Manitou Springs, CO and finishes on the 14,115 ft-high summit of Pikes Peak --a vertical gain of 7815 feet. The Marathon is out and back --or more to the point --up and down. Both races draw participants from all over the country and the globe. The Ascent starts in two "waves:" the first for more competitive racers and the second, 30 minutes later, for everyone else. Qualifying times from past races are required to get in. The course, except for the short stretch through town, lies on a trail that gradually becomes more narrow and rocky as the hours go by.
It's a first-rate event with a 54 year history and a lot of extra-curricular events. The course itself has many aid stations with water and Gatorade, though most racers also carry their own hydration. Food is available at a couple of the aid stations and free beer was offered just a few yards from the summit (!) and again after touching down back in Manitou. Sweat bags are available for Ascent runners to send dry clothes to the summit. The volunteers were extremely boisterous and enthusiastic, which I appreciated toward the end of my race. You don't get anything for entering, but a finisher's medal and a very nice jacket await you at the top if you beat the cut-off times. Views from the course are unrivaled but along with that often comes severe weather. In the past there have been lighting strikes, large hail, and even a blizzard that forced a mid-race cancellation and resulted in several cases of hypothermia. It is strongly recommended that all racers carry additional clothing to put on during the race.
The average grade is about 11%, so most middle- and back-of-the-pack runners will find this a power hike. But even that can become a faint hope if your race turns into the legendary "death march" for the last miles because you started too fast despite all the warnings not to. (That was my Pikes Peak experience and I was lucky to finish.) It would have been cool to see the winners; they're world class. I was impressed by many of the older (70's!) athletes who were all business and showed humbling strength.
****reviewed by a guest reviewer****