For the greater part of 30 years, a cohort of human enigmas and case studies for the human body's resilience have gathered in a small mountain town on the third weekend in August to put one foot in front of the other.

In the late 1980s, the Climax Molybdenum mine closed, prompting Jim Butera to approach former miner Ken Clouber with a shimmer of saving grace. Butera wished to start a hundred-mile foot race high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, an offer only Clouber could digest.

Economic capital was scarce in the wake of the Climax Molybdenum mine’s closure, the proposal seemed frugal; thus, the one-road town of Leadville became the home of the race across the sky.

Somewhere within the fabled beginnings of the Leadville Trail 100, Eric Pence ran his first race. A challenge he attributes to his brother-in-law Mark Macey and his brother Brian.

Eric can’t get enough of Leadville, even after 26 completions of the race.

“I don’t know. Now it just feels like something that I want to do every year and see if I can continue to challenge myself,” Eric said.

Inevitably the Pence family calendar wove Leadville into its dates every year henceforth.

“Most people celebrate birthdays; we celebrate Leadville races,” Anne Pence said.

The family tradition equates to at least 40 finishes between family members and close relatives, Ethan Pence, Eric and Anne’s son, said. At the age of 23-years-old, Ethan now has four finishes at the Leadville Trail 100.

The Third Weekend In August captures the 2021 Leadville Trail 100 and the intimate history they share with Leadville.

Leadville is rugged, rocky, and rooty, and it isn’t for everyone. But for those who are willing to dive into the deep end and make it out on the other side, the Leadville race community is there to welcome you with open arms.

“Worst case scenario, it's going to haunt you for a year, and you’re going to be back anyway,” Anne Pence said.