If you've followed Andy Glaze on social media, you already know his superpower: finding the positive in just about everything.
That mindset is exactly what brings him back to Leadville for a third consecutive year.
Despite declaring, "I'll never do this again," after his first finish, Andy is once again heading back to the Race Across the Sky, drawn not by the altitude or the suffering, but by the people. For him, Leadville has always been about the community, the volunteers, the aid stations, the history, and the energy that surrounds one of trail running's most iconic events.
In this episode of Leadville Uncovered, Andy shares why he's actually excited about the 2026 course changes and why seeing new terrain only adds to the adventure. As long as Hope Pass remains part of the course, he's happy. Everything else is just another opportunity to explore.
The conversation also dives into one of the biggest challenges Andy has faced at Leadville: the final 30 miles. After experiencing two difficult finishes and a complete unraveling after returning to Twin Lakes, he's changing his strategy this year by bringing in pacers to help him stay focused and moving toward his goal of earning a sub-25-hour buckle.
And then there's the schedule.
Because running Crazy Mountain 100, Leadville 100, and UTMB apparently wasn't enough, Andy added another international race to the calendar at the last minute. His summer now includes four massive events spread across two continents, with two transatlantic flights squeezed into just a few weeks. The result? A self-described "quadfecta" that sounds equal parts ambitious and completely absurd.
The episode also branches into Andy's love for Burrito League, the importance of building local running communities, his incredible 100-mile-per-week running streak, and the constant balancing act between speed and consistency.
Through it all, Andy remains exactly who the running community has come to know and appreciate: authentic, optimistic, and endlessly supportive.
This episode of Leadville Uncovered is brought to you by OpenFuel Nutrition. Russell's current favorite is the Passion Mango Tango Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix, while Corinne continues to reach for Radical Raspberry Ripple. OpenFuel is built on values endurance athletes can appreciate: people over profit, environmental responsibility, and positivity. Use code UU25 to save 25% and support the show.
