Leadville 2025 will be remembered as the year history was made — twice.

In this debrief, we break down a weekend where both men’s and women’s course records fell, with David Roach lowering his own mark by 14 minutes and Dr. Anne Flower becoming the first woman in over 30 years to eclipse Ann Trason’s legendary 18:06.

But the story of Leadville is never just about the front of the pack. We dive into the race’s unique finisher stats — from golden hour grit to the elusive 25-hour big buckle — and reflect on what makes this course so deceptively tough. We celebrate a women’s field that ran deeper and more competitive than ever, highlight breakout performances from names you’ll want to remember, and share inside perspectives from the Twin Lakes energy to Castle Rock Run Club’s standout finishes.

From all-star pacing crews to unexpected breakout stars, from course history to course hangovers, this conversation captures why Leadville continues to be both a proving ground and a family.

Time Stamps:

00:00Leadville Race Debrief

03:08Record-Breaking Performances

05:56Finisher Statistics and Insights

08:44Women's Race Highlights

11:57Competitive Fields and Media Coverage

26:36The Complexity of Prize Money in Ultra Running

32:42The Leadville Family and Its Unique Culture

39:03Castle Rock Run Club's Performance and Stories

43:53Unexpected Breakouts and Surprising Finishes

51:50Respect for All Participants and Future Aspirations