Is the Leadville 100 overrated?

This is a genuine debate question as I see both sides/answers, so I figured I’d take this topic to a bigger forum like the ultra Reddit community. When I watch a long string of YouTube videos about ultra running, it seems like the #1 race that pops up is the Leadville 100. It’s been coined the fit-fluencer 100, the hybrid-athlete 100, or the “come run 100 miles with me vlog.”

This race has been called one of the toughest ultras in America, but in all seriousness, I think this race is barely a top 5 hardest race in its state behind Ouray 100, Hardrock 100, High Lonesome 100, and Run Rabbit Run.

While I think performances there like David Roche’s 15:26 record are insanely incredible, I feel like the race has been constantly overhyped by the high entry lists, and it does more bad than good environmentally. While it should be a bucket list for everyone because it is arguably the most iconic ultra in America (maybe Western States), it’s not even a qualifier for Hardrock, which has me believing it is far more achievable for more runners than some of these other races.

Coming from someone who’s dad has 20 ultra finishes, he’s been able to name 8 or so ultras that were tougher than Leadville, and while his time there (sub 25 hrs) is one of his most impressive finishes, he thinks tougher races like Wasatch 100, Angeles Crest 100, Bighorn 100 definitely deserve more attention for how tough they are.

I think there’s a reason why we haven’t seen some of the current top names (Walmsley, Zach Miller, Peterman, Hawks, Dauwalter etc) besides David Roche take on this race.

Bottom line: is it a bucket list? Yes. It should be. Is it probably a little overrated? Also yes. I’d love to hear some opinions and I think this is just open for whatever you want it to be. If you’ve finished Leadville, Awesome! It should be celebrated! You ran a 100 miler in the mountains under 30 hours!