Jeremy Ebel Runs the Leadville 100!!!

On August 21 and 22, Pat and I witnessed an incredible feat of human endurance and tenacity. Jeremy ran in and completed the Leadville 100, a 100 mile race through the mountains near Leadville, CO.

This race is 50 miles out and 50 miles back in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. Low point is 9,200 feet; the high point is Hope Pass at 12,600 feet. A majority is on forest trails with some mountain roads. Throughout the course, runners climb and descend 15,000 feet.

Pacers are allowed after the 50-mile point. This race is supported by enthusiastic volunteers at 11 well-supplied aid stations with time cut-offs along the course.

Last January Jeremy informed us that he would compete in this race. Neither Pat nor I had ever heard of such a race and thought only nutcases would even attempt such a thing (we found we were pretty close). He hired a professional trainer to prepare for this event and worked out all year. Pat and I decided to take the trip to Colorado to witness this event and take him to the hospital if needed.

Pat and I had never experienced a marathon, let alone an extreme marathon like this. When we arrived it soon was apparent that we would be his crew. What’s a crew? We found out in a hurry. We were to provide logistical support – cloths, water, food, etc. along the way at designated spots approximately every 10 miles.

He started the race with an easy pace at 4:00 AM on Saturday, completing the first 25 miles in about 4 ½ hours.

Still strong and maintaining a pace to finish under 24 hours, he crossed Hope Pass to the halfway point at about 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. Starting his return trip he was allowed a pacer to run with him and carry some of his load. Brian, his trainer, agreed to pace back through Hope Pass. They reached mile 60 at about 7:30 in the evening where he took a brief break for food water and rest.

Jeremy’s good friend Kevin took over as pacer from mile 60 to mile 75. Evening had fallen by mile 75 and with it a nearly full moon and temperatures in the 30s. After sweating and then stopping in the cold, Jeremy’s core temperature began to drop, giving him severe chills. Pat and the aid station workers worked to warm him up with blankets, warm food and the salamander. He spent almost an hour and a half regaining his body temperature and strength, and then continued on to the next station 12 miles away without his pacer. Kevin would join him again at mile 87 and pace him to the race completion.

By the time Jeremy reached the last aid station he was experiencing crippling pain in his foot, and he was worried that he might have a stress fracture (typical for this type of race). It appeared to be a bone bruise, and although quite painful, would not necessarily end his race. For the final leg of the race we taped up his foot, got some food into him and he was once again on his way.

I asked Kevin via walkie-talkie to let me know when they had crested the hill to the final approach so I could prepare for a great photo. I timed a few of the other runners who were coming in, most of them walking by now, and figured I had about 5 minutes to prepare. As I leisurely made my way through the crowd to the finish line I happened to look up and see Jeremy about 20 feet from the finish line. I frantically reached for my camera which happened to be on, but the lens cap was still on. I managed to get the cap off and had time for only two pictures – one shown here. Jeremy had decided to run up the final hill to the finish after running for 29 hours and 21 minutes.

Of the 800 participants in this race, only 355 completed it. Witnessing what was accomplished by these runners gave me a new appreciation for what the human body is capable of. Heck, I’m almost inspired enough to get off of my La Z Boy and get some activity in my life…but then again…

by Jeff Ebel