Running the 2023 Leadville Heavy Half Marathon, by Andrew Koper

See what it's like to run the Leadville Heavy Half Marathon first person. Runner Andrew Koper takes you along the journey, from pre-race preparation, to pre-race nervousness, to the race, and to the joy of achieving a big goal. Leadville is famous as the hardest race in America because you start in Leadville, a small, old, mining town in the Rocky Mountains at 10,000 ft above sea level, and then run on dirt roads, dirt trails and rocky trails up a Rocky Mountain (normally to 13,200 ft above sea level). Plus, in 2023, there's a wicked snowstorm towards the top of the mountain!

[@RobKrar1]

Thanks for the cameo. Great work and congrats on your run and achieving your goal!

[@PatrickMartin-lw7tu]

Congrats! Thanks for the cameo at the 1/2 mile clip. That was a heck of a snow and mud fest. I give you props for stopping at the turnaround. The wind and snow there made it pretty cold and I just headed right back down. By contrast the 50 miler 3 weeks later was warm and extremely dusty. One point, the “birch” trees are actually aspen trees.

[@alexcarruth5193]

So glad you got to enjoy this race. I ran in it in 2016 and it was the most gorgeous race I have ever run. We had clear conditions and it was pretty warm when we did it. That's CO weather for you! I'm planning to run this next year, so am really excited. It is such a different race compared to any other half marathon and it's all about the experience. Thanks for the great video!

[@timkennedy986]

Liked your detailed description of the course en route. I missed this years half due injury, but was happy to see my wife and daughter running in your video. Congratulations on a successful run!

[@jogo54]

So cool seeing Rob Krar at 17:05

[@dustinbranton]

It was a crazy race especially for a south Louisiana boy. I was disappointed in not making the pass for the turn around in the marathon due to snow. But it was a fun race. I’ve got a video up on my channel.

[@coloradomike4182]

Did it a few years ago under much better conditions. Only did the Half. Hardest physical thing I ever did in my life.
Can't even imagine doing the 100.

[@YogainmeD]

Think of doing this next year. How long did it take you? Thanks for video