Racing the Leadville Marathon to 13,000+ Feet with the whole Family

Duration: 14:47 952 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

The video captures the intense and emotional atmosphere of race day at Leadville, where participants gather to tackle one of the world's most challenging ultramarathons held above 13,000 feet. The footage begins with scenes from the registration area, highlighting the cold morning conditions that contrast sharply with the heat expected later in the event. As runners check their IDs and prepare for the start at 2:26 AM, there is a palpable sense of community among competitors who share stories of inspiration drawn from previous years' events. The narrative emphasizes not just the physical endurance required but also the deep personal connections formed within this unique sporting environment, where families often run together to support one another through extreme altitudes and harsh weather. As the race officially begins, the transcript reveals a mix of exhaustion, determination, and camaraderie among the runners navigating the steep trails. The audio captures moments of heavy breathing and cheering as participants push themselves against the elements, with some expressing that running is where they find peace despite the grueling conditions. A significant portion of the video honors first responders and military personnel wearing American flags on their uniforms before the race starts, underscoring a theme of gratitude for those who serve while celebrating athletic achievement. The runners' internal monologues about leaving home memories behind to focus entirely on the journey ahead illustrate how this event serves as both a physical test and an emotional pilgrimage toward personal growth and resilience. The latter part of the video shifts from the intense exertion of the race to moments of celebration, recovery, and family bonding after crossing the finish line or completing segments of the course. Viewers see runners receiving medals, sharing hugs with friends like Matt and Henry, and enjoying post-race meals that include shrimp and bread as a reward for their efforts. There are candid interactions where participants joke about finishing times, such as one runner noting they still have energy left after running 41 miles, while others reflect on the unique experience of Leadville compared to other races like Red Oaks Trail Marathon. The conclusion highlights how these events bring people together through shared struggle and triumph, leaving everyone with a sense that there is never a dull moment in this high-altitude adventure filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories for families who return year after year.

Read the full video transcript

Nice. A little chilly, but not too bad. Actually, I don't know if that's accurate. It said 55. It can't be. It's got colder than that. Oh, race day. Where's the H1? >> Check it in. Who's next? Do you have your ID? >> Marathon. [music] >> You have your ID and your >> Thank you. >> There's the the booking ID. >> Yep. >> You're all set. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> You know what? I have some. Yeah. Thanks. Yeah. Buy it. Rock [crying] it. Oh, say does [singing] that star [singing] of the home of God. [singing] Awesome. Nice. Have fun out there. >> Good to meet you. Really enjoy it. >> What was your name? Dom. >> Dom. We'll see you out there. >> It's great to see you. >> Follow the signs on the right hand side of the course. Tell you where to go. >> True love out here. >> Yeah, she'll be out there. She'll be out there. >> Two little boys. I got a one and two. So, like your early videos like before the move and all that stuff like you know like how you handle it and doing it all. Gives me inspiration. You can do it. It's awesome. >> Before we get started, we actually like to recognize our men and women who wear our American flag on their uniform. So, we would tightly ask that all law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, and men and women of our military, former init. And we all thank them for their service and sacrifice for all of us. And >> now 55. [cheering] We're underway at 20 26. It's a long time ago crowd. [panting] Come on. [cheering] [panting] [sighs] >> [music] >> Hey hey hey. Hey buddy. >> All right. Feel it. Get up there for the wind. >> Trash. running my way. And on the road is where I find hotel rooms is where I found peace. >> Yeah. >> I spend my whole life. It's going to be good work. Nice. [music] Nice. Nice. >> Drop whatever you need. It's [music] going to take It's going to take my heart and soul. My heart and soul. >> All right. Good [music] work. >> We started off before I started school. [music] Mom and dad said we're headed south. We're going to leave. Well, I hung on for a year or [music] two after. But I forgot the house road. I [music] It's going to be [music] It's going to be It's going to be the Lord. It's going to take It's going to take It's going to take [music] my heart and soul. My heart and soul. I want to see you now. memories or in the night on a long drive. Someday I'll pull off the road somewhere and I'll find that little church my family. [music] It's going to be [music] [cheering] so much [music] more [cheering] lifetime. Red Oaks Trail Marathon presented. >> I love you. >> You did it, babe. >> Thank you. >> Can we get you a medal? >> Making it look all kinds of >> Oh, yeah. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Nice shirt. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> I was in that race. Actually met you at the top of the Oh, nice. That's awesome. >> What was your name? >> Oh, Matt. Matt. Nice. >> Yes. Gooden. >> Henry. >> Let me put it on you. >> Everybody here. >> I think they want to go touch. >> Yes. Okay. We'll wait here. [music] >> You got to [music] get closer. >> [music] >> Okay, let's go. >> [music] >> Woohoo! [music] That time is 3 [music] hours a minute [music] out there. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> off over here to the table. Check in with air. >> All right. 29 in third place. >> Oh, no. No. >> Harrison Walter in third place field. >> I think I think I got this. I got this. I think I can. >> Isn't that so cool? >> Yeah, that is so cool. >> Wait, Henry, wait. I'm trying to >> watch right there. Steve, what do you think? >> Says first place. >> Emphatic. Yes. >> 20 to 29. Tony say Peppa. >> Peppa. >> First place. Peppa. Next up, >> Henry radio. >> Let me see. No. >> Okay. Cut to dinner when you stay. >> You got to run it twice. Yes. >> Oh, good job. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> [screaming] >> Now everyone, >> we got to just see how much seating they have and just kind of stick together. Okay, >> so there's other people. >> Perfect. Wait, Joseph, the camera knows, honey. >> [music] >> There's [music] perfect kids and [music] a shrimp. Another shrimp. [music] >> [music] >> Henry. Yeah. >> Bread. >> Let's go. Good job. Cheers. >> Good job. >> Good job, Francine. >> Who's a girl? >> Look. Who's that? >> Funny. >> You're so precious. [crying] That's a good life right there, Francine. >> Michael, come over here. >> Okay. >> I got it. I got it. >> Yeah. Michael, always come in on this side. >> So fun. >> Let's go. Relax. >> Yeah. [screaming] >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I love Leadville. >> Come on, Leadville. Throw him down. Love it. >> All right, that's probably it for tonight. Time to go relax. >> Fly the W. >> Oh man. 41. >> Well, good job remembering the switcher. >> 41. >> 41. And still got it. >> Got it. Come on. Come on. >> I got him. I got him. >> Never a dull moment. Never a dull moment.