This post is part of the Leadville 100 MTB FAQ.
Last updated 1/31/10
Because of the popularity of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, many more entries are received than the field limit. I wouldn’t be surprised if they receive over 10,000 entries for 2010.
It seems each year they slightly increase the limit and in 2009 they let in 1400 entrants. For a while it was in the 800 range. To get into the lottery, entries must be submitted online by 5 PM on January 31st.
In spite of what you might expect, the lottery isn’t totally straight forward. Some people are given preference in the lottery. Those that volunteered for any of the races put on by the Leadville 100 in the past year, doing both the 100 mile run and bike, doing Leadman or Leadwoman, finished 5 or more times, Leadville locals, big name pros, etc. get preference.
The best way to make sure you get in is to volunteer. I’ve only heard of 1 or 2 people that volunteered the year before and didn’t get picked in the lottery. My guess is they somehow didn’t end up on the volunteer list. I always write at the bottom of the entry form where I volunteered the year before. Of course for people that don’t live close, volunteering isn’t an easy option.
Another method people used in the past to help make the lottery was to enter as a group. Groups with up to 6 people could register together. Everyone in the group would either get in or not get in. If you could find someone that had preferential treatment for the lottery, it would increase your chance of getting in. In 2010 the race quit allowing group entries.
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