On the other end, why does this race continue to tolerate such a high DNF rate? The lottery gets more and more difficult each year, and yet hundreds of people who get in don’t even manage to complete half the race.
About 47% of the starters DNF at Leadville this year. That is typical, even with the favorable weather this year.
The low finishing percentage at LT100 is due to a number of things, including:
-No qualification required to enter. For many this is their first 100 miler and/or their first ultra.
-Lottery entry system provides no selective advantage for serious runners that are more likely to finish over others that will more likely DNF.
-The race is old and has received media attention for years. It's a bucket list wish for dreamers who heard about it many years ago.
-The race promotes dream finishes. The "You're better than you think you are' vibe of the race suggests you will finish on determination and grit alone. The race likes the low finishing percentage as it promotes a concept that the course/race is much harder than it actually is
-The altitude makes everything harder and slower, especially for less fit runners that live at low elevation.
On the other end, why does this race continue to tolerate such a high DNF rate? The lottery gets more and more difficult each year, and yet hundreds of people who get in don’t even manage to complete half the race.
About 47% of the starters DNF at Leadville this year. That is typical, even with the favorable weather this year.
The low finishing percentage at LT100 is due to a number of things, including:
-No qualification required to enter. For many this is their first 100 miler and/or their first ultra.
-Lottery entry system provides no selective advantage for serious runners that are more likely to finish over others that will more likely DNF.
-The race is old and has received media attention for years. It's a bucket list wish for dreamers who heard about it many years ago.
-The race promotes dream finishes. The "You're better than you think you are' vibe of the race suggests you will finish on determination and grit alone. The race likes the low finishing percentage as it promotes a concept that the course/race is much harder than it actually is
-The altitude makes everything harder and slower, especially for less fit runners that live at low elevation.
About 47% of the starters DNF at Leadville this year. That is typical, even with the favorable weather this year.
The low finishing percentage at LT100 is due to a number of things, including:
-No qualification required to enter. For many this is their first 100 miler and/or their first ultra.
-Lottery entry system provides no selective advantage for serious runners that are more likely to finish over others that will more likely DNF.
-The race is old and has received media attention for years. It's a bucket list wish for dreamers who heard about it many years ago.
-The race promotes dream finishes. The "You're better than you think you are' vibe of the race suggests you will finish on determination and grit alone. The race likes the low finishing percentage as it promotes a concept that the course/race is much harder than it actually is
-The altitude makes everything harder and slower, especially for less fit runners that live at low elevation.
100% agree with this.
I understand why there is a high dnf rate, I just don’t get why the race doesn’t do anything about it. Wouldn’t it be better to have a higher finishing rate? It’s annoying for people who are more capable who don’t get selected in the lottery and have to watch others who have no business being out there fail 30 miles into the race. Would be like half of people at a big city marathon dnfing
In terms of competition level of US 100 milers you have 1) Western 2) Hardrock 3) Javelina 4) Leadville? Am I forgetting something in there?
Leadville is not as competitive as it once was when there were very few other 100 milers.
The lottery entry system provides no selective advantage for top runners to get selected for entry over anyone else. For an elite trail runner it may be harder to be selected to compete at Leadville than it is to win or be a top finisher at Leadville.
Ken and Merilee were not good runners and never promoted or tried to encourage elite competition, and that concept seems to have continued.
There are now bigger races with more exposure, better competition, prize money and that cater to/support/encourage the elites much more than Leadville does.
Run Rabbit Run seems to attract better runners than Leadville does because of the prize money.
LT100 continues to remain in the conversation primarily based on its history and the size of the field. But think about all the top fast 100 mile runners that for some reason have never run Leadville.
I understand why there is a high dnf rate, I just don’t get why the race doesn’t do anything about it. Wouldn’t it be better to have a higher finishing rate? It’s annoying for people who are more capable who don’t get selected in the lottery and have to watch others who have no business being out there fail 30 miles into the race. Would be like half of people at a big city marathon dnfing
money my man. they take the entry fee from a bunch of upper middle class, middle aged men that want an adventure to talk about at work but have no business being out there. started around 2015-ish or so when Lifetime took over and greatly expanded the field size etc. The lottery helps the appearance of scarcity and thus a higher entry fee and more cash.
I understand why there is a high dnf rate, I just don’t get why the race doesn’t do anything about it. Wouldn’t it be better to have a higher finishing rate? It’s annoying for people who are more capable who don’t get selected in the lottery and have to watch others who have no business being out there fail 30 miles into the race. Would be like half of people at a big city marathon dnfing
money my man. they take the entry fee from a bunch of upper middle class, middle aged men that want an adventure to talk about at work but have no business being out there. started around 2015-ish or so when Lifetime took over and greatly expanded the field size etc. The lottery helps the appearance of scarcity and thus a higher entry fee and more cash.