Wearing the world champion’s rainbow jersey, Keegan Swenson underlined his status as the sport’s dominant off-road force, claiming a sixth consecutive men’s title at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race presented by Kenetik on Saturday morning, the third round of the Life Time Grand Prix. Swenson crossed the line in 05:20:26, narrowly outsprinting Matthew Wilson of New Zealand in a dramatic photo finish atop the historic 100.3-mile course through the Colorado Rockies.
This year’s edition, the 32nd running of the “Race Across the Sky,” was reshaped by the Willow Fire, which forced organisers to reroute away from Hagerman Pass, Sugarloaf Mountain and the iconic Powerline descent. The Columbine Mine climb, topping out near 12,500 feet, remained the race’s decisive test.
Bradyn Lange took third, 24 seconds behind the leaders, with local favourite John Gaston fourth, 25 seconds behind Swenson, extending his remarkable run of top-five finishes at his home-state race. Germany’s Andreas Seewald rounded out the top five, 1 minute 19 seconds behind Swenson, with Cole Paton completing the top six. Tour de France star Quinn Simmons, back at home in Colorado to prepare for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in Canada, finished ninth, 9 minutes down.
The result strengthens Swenson’s position atop the Life Time Grand Prix standings, where he entered the day level on points with Specialized teammate Matthew Beers. With Powerline absent and the total distance trimmed to roughly 100.2 miles, questions had lingered over whether the altered course might shake up the usual hierarchy. Instead, Swenson’s continued command of Columbine settled the race.
In the women’s race, Melissa Rollins dominated the 101.3-mile course, winning in 05:58:43. Cecily Decker finished second in 06:03:30, 4 minutes 47 seconds behind Rollins, while Lauren Stephens took third in 06:10:14, 11 minutes 31 seconds back.
Sarah Lange was fourth in 06:10:41, just 27 seconds behind Stephens, with South African Hayley Preen completing the women’s top five in 06:21:51, 23 minutes 8 seconds behind Rollins.
View Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB results HERE
Photo Credit: Specialized
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