DeBoom to race Leadville 100
Tim DeBoom announced this week that he'll be participating in the 2008 Leadville 100 event. Although no stranger to long distance triathlons and marathon running, this will be DeBoom's first foray into ultra distance running.
The two-time Ironman World Champion finished 4th in Kona this year and has not yet competed in a running race longer than 26.2 miles. Yet he seems quite calm and philosophical about the new challenge. "I am looking forward to rediscovering how it feels to run without pressure," said DeBoom, and added "…and am excited to try something that I'm not 100 percent sure I can even finish."
The Leadville 100 race is actually considered one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the country with its 15,600 feet of climbing and descending. Runners run/walk the 100 miles at elevations between 9,200 and 12,620 feet. The race begins well before dawn, and is infamous for the grueling trails and tough climbs up the 12,620 foot Hope Pass – encountered on both the outbound and return leg of the race. Of the roughly 500 starters, barely half of them finish inside the 30-hour time limit set by organizers.
Don't expect DeBoom to walk away from triathlon though, he is still passionate about the sport and wants to win another Ironman World Championship title.
The 2008 Leadville 100 takes place on August 16 and 17 in Leadville, Colorado and more information about the race can be found at www.leadvilletrail100.com.
