Owensboro runner Chris Abell has completed one of the most intense trail races in the country. The Leadville Trail 100 Run — also known as “The Race Across the Sky” — is one of the most well-known races in the ultra running sport.
Aside from the weight of the race, Abell said he was inspired by another area runner and friend, Matt Harvey, who has run the race twice. After having run several smaller ultra-distance races, Abell decided he would enter the Leadville lottery and was selected.
The race, which is 100 miles of extreme Colorado Rockies terrain, was one of the toughest things Abell said he has ever done.
“Physically, having to ascend and descend 15,000 feet throughout the race, the legs took a real beating,” he said. “The mental battle was a tough one. I consider the mental aspect of the sport as one of my strengths. Quitting was never an option, only to finish.”
As with most runners who compete in these ultra races, Abell had a crew that consisted of his dad Ronnie along with friends Jordan Loucks, Kevin Brown, Suzanne Leach, and Suzanne Anderson.
“When my mind started going around nightfall, these guys stepped in to make sure all I had to worry about was putting one foot in front of the other,” he said. “When Kevin went out to pace me I started to nod off while running. Literally, I’d be moving along the trail and close my eyes then jolt back awake.”
Abell’s final time was 29:8.12. Nearly 700 runners started the race with more than half dropping out. Runners had to finish the race in under 30 hours in order to not be disqualified.
“It’s still so surreal to be a Leadville 100 finisher,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without my crew and all of my support back home. There is something so gratifying about finding yourself in the deepest pit and pulling yourself out through sheer will — and moving one foot in front of the other.
“Will I do another hundred-miler? I’d say ask me in two weeks.”
