Welcome to this episode of Grit, Guts and Determination, The Leadville Race Series Podcast, a leading authority on all things Leadville. Host Cole Chlouber, son of race founder Ken Chlouber, takes us on a story-telling journey of the 39 year rich history of this race. Listen in for tips, tricks, and stories from the Leadville members! Today’s episode features two members of the Leadville family, the cutoff king and queen themselves - Mike and Sandy Monaghan! Mike has about a dozen races under his belt, and Sandy is an involved crew member; for decades, Mike and Sandy have been investing in the Leadville community, making memories on the trails, and amassing stories to share.

As the conversation begins, Cole asks Mike and Sandy how Leadville found them. In a sense, it found them by accident following an issue with Mike’s training in 1989. He and Sandy found themselves in Leadville and immediately fell in love with it. Mike made new running friends, had a great training experience, and ultimately never looked back! Over the years, Mike and Sandy have seen it all - all kinds of weather, a high river, circumstances that hindered Mike from finishing a couple of his races, and so much more.

There’s really no end to the stories Mike and Sandy can tell. They remember Cole as a child helping with races, share about the memorable year the river level rose when their young son was planning to pace Mike, and explain how Mike won the now-discontinued Jackass Award. Listeners get a look at Mike and Sandy’s race dynamic as the two describe the rigors of racing, and ingenuity needed to support a runner, difficult moments in pacing Mike, and Sandy’s insistence that Mike keep going. From the time a moth flew in Mike’s ear, to the years of makeshift equipment and finishers sweatshirts, to the time Cliff Davies had an ice adventure, Mike and Sandy span much of the Leadville history with their stories.

Reflecting on their time as part of the Leadville family, Mike and Sandy share about how much the community and its support have meant to them. They have found a true family in Leadville, a family which has shaped their children, been an anchor for them through the years, and driven them to serve in whatever ways they can. In 2004, they transitioned to be cutoff king and queen, a move Sandy wanted to use to make the cutoff experience as thoughtful and encouraging as possible. She also now gives the race crew talk, and ultimately works each year to provide the sort of guidance she received when she first came to Leadville and carry forward a spirit of sharing and community. She and Mike talk about the Leadville Legacy Foundation, advice they would offer to new racers, and what they think of when they hear the name “Leadville.” Thanks for joining!

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe, and we hope to see you on the line in August! Links: Check out the Leadville Race Series