Running in the Rockies on carbon fiber legs

If you think running is hard, try doing it on prosthetic legs across 100 miles of rugged trails. Brian Reynolds accomplished just that, becoming the first double amputee to finish the Leadville 100, an iconic ultramarathon in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Reynolds completed the run in just under 29 hours, marking his fourth attempt at the grueling race. Running on carbon fiber blades, Reynolds braved high-altitude, extreme terrain, including two climbs on the 12,500-foot Hope Pass.

The para athlete lost both of his legs below the knee at the age of 4 due to bacterial meningitis, and late become one of the world’s fastest double-amputee runners, Reynolds previously attempted the Leadville 100 in 2023 (50 miles), 2024 (50 miles), and 2025 (71 miles).

The Leadville Trail 100 Run dates back to 1983 and is held annually in mid-August. The course climbs and descends 15,744 feet through trails and dirt roads. Fewer than half the starters typically complete the race within the 30-hour time limit, making Reynolds’ achievement all the more notable.