Ultrarunning fans were in for a treat this weekend, as records tumbled at this year’s Leadville 100. Women’s race winner Anne Flower of Colorado Springs clocked 17:58:19, shattering Ann Trason’s long-standing women’s record from 1994 (18:06:24) and placing second overall. On the men’s side, Boulder’s David Roche charged to victory in 15:12:30, chopping more than 14 minutes off his own course record from last year, a performance that erased a mark that was untouched for 19 years.
Leadville 100, known as the “race across the sky” for its stunning vistas as it traverses the Colorado Rockies, has been a staple in the ultrarunning community since its inception in 1983. The course tops out at nearly 3,840 metres on Hope Pass and traverses around 4,390 metres of climbing. Along with Roche’s remarkable 2024 performance, women’s winner Mary Denholm recorded the second-fastest time ever at the event.
Women’s race
Flower, 35, turned in a standout performance in her first attempt at the 100-mile distance, building on a win at the 2024 edition of Javelina Jundred 100K and building on a strong background in shorter ultras and road marathons, according to UltraSignup. She moved into the lead before halfway and never gave it up. Imogen Ainsworth followed Flower in 19:36:42 for runner-up, with Lea Mulligan rounding out the women’s podium in 20:39:04.
Men’s race
Roche, 37, went straight to the front and never let up, running solo for much of the day on his way to the win in 15:12:30. He stayed close to his splits from last year’s race, before picking up the pace substantially in the final stretch. The victory must have carried extra meaning for Roche, who dropped out of this year’s Western States 100 with stomach problems just past halfway. Behind him, Justin Grunewald finished second in 18:06:34, with Patrick Cade close behind in 18:25:23 to round out the podium.
For full results of the 2025 edition of Leadville 100, head here.
