Rollins and McElveen Dominate at Record-Breaking 2025 Leadville Stage Race
Get a full recap of the 2025 Life Time Leadville Stage Race. See how Melisa Rollins and Payson McElveen conquered the 3-day epic amid a record field.
In the thin air of the Colorado Rockies, where legends are forged and limits are tested, the Life Time Leadville Stage Race presented by Kenetik delivered another unforgettable chapter in endurance mountain biking. From July 26-28, 2025, a record-breaking field of nearly 350 riders tackled the daunting course, setting the stage for the iconic Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB and proving once again that Leadville is the ultimate proving ground for grit and determination.
The Grueling Three-Day Challenge
The Leadville Stage Race is not merely a warm-up for its 100-mile counterpart; it is a monumental achievement in its own right. The event breaks down the infamous “Race Across the Sky” into three punishing days of high-altitude racing, demanding consistency, strategy, and sheer willpower.
The weekend’s test unfolded over three distinct stages:
- Stage One: A 40-mile journey with a staggering 3,812 feet of elevation gain, pushing riders from the Lake County Rodeo Grounds to the scenic Twin Lakes Dam.
- Stage Two: The queen stage, famous for its brutality. Though only 22 miles, this out-and-back course sends riders to the lung-searing summit of Columbine Mine at 12,497 feet, the highest point of the entire course.
- Stage Three: A final, 41-mile push from Twin Lakes Dam back to the finish, demanding riders conquer another 4,501 feet of climbing on tired legs.
To be considered an official finisher, athletes had to complete the entire course in under 11 hours—a benchmark that separates the prepared from the hopeful.
The Champions: Rollins and McElveen Set the Pace
This year’s race featured a stacked field of elite and amateur athletes, with representatives from 39 states and six countries, ranging in age from 15 to 71. In the elite field, two names stood out.
In the women's division, Melisa Rollins of Alpine, UT, delivered a truly dominant performance. Finishing with a total time of 6:28:09, she not only secured her victory but also shattered her winning time from 2024 by more than 23 minutes. This powerful statement signals her formidable form, especially considering she went on to win the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 MTB after her Stage Race victory last year. She was followed closely by Kate Courtney (6:28:33) and Sofia Gomez Villafane (6:39:09), making for a world-class podium.
In the men's race, Payson McElveen of Durango, CO, made a triumphant return to the top step. A Life Time Grand Prix competitor who was sidelined with an injury for UNBOUND Gravel, McElveen proved his readiness for the rest of the season, locking up first place with a blistering time of 5:57:59. Grand Junction’s Torbjorn Roed (6:00:04) and South Africa’s Daniel Van Der Walt (6:10:29) rounded out the top three in a display of international talent.
Top Finishers – Overall Results
| Women's Division | Time | Men's Division | Time |
| 1. Melisa Rollins | 1. Payson McElveen | ||
| 2. Kate Courtney | 2. Torbjorn Roed | ||
| 3. Sofia Gomez Villafane | 3. Daniel Van Der Walt |
More Than a Race: A Community Forged at 10,000 Feet
While the racing was fierce, the Leadville Stage Race is defined by its unique sense of community. Each stage concluded with post-race celebrations, fostering camaraderie among athletes who shared the same high-altitude suffering and triumph.
“Finishing the Stage Race is a true test of grit and determination,” said Amanda Kussin, Marketing Manager for the Leadville Race Series. “Three consecutive days of high-altitude riding is no small feat – but the sense of community that forms over the weekend is what makes it truly special. It’s a powerful reflection of Life Time’s mission to help people live healthier, happier lives.”
This spirit was embodied by the 35 athletes who, through their performance, earned a coveted qualifier coin for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Looking Ahead to the Race Across the Sky
With the Stage Race complete, all eyes now turn to Saturday, August 9th, for the 31st edition of the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB. As the third event in the prestigious Life Time Grand Prix series, the race will feature the biggest names in the sport. Based on their commanding victories, Melisa Rollins and Payson McElveen have established themselves as top contenders, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic showdown in the mountains of Leadville.
