The Race of All Races: Dr. Jeff Suppinger Completes Leadville Trail 100 Run
Published: October 24, 2023
Usually, you’ll find him practicing family medicine for Williamson Health Medical Group at 4601 Carothers Parkway, but in August Dr. Jeff Suppinger was running with another group – called “ultramarathoners” – in Leadville, Colorado. The old silver mining town is tucked between two of the state’s tallest peaks and annually hosts a grueling 100-mile endurance race.
The Leadville Trail 100 Run has been drawing gutsy athletes to the Rocky Mountains since 1983. Determined ultrarunners like Suppinger test their stamina on rugged dirt roads and trails that climb to a literally breathtaking 12,600 feet. He was one of just 44 percent of the 826 starters who made it to the finish line, placing 72nd with a time of 24 hours, 42 minutes and 58 seconds.
Suppinger, now in his late 40s, only started running marathons after his medical training. His first, exactly 20 years ago, was coincidentally in the nearby Colorado town of Steamboat Springs. One adventure fueled the next, including seven appearances in the legendary Boston road race and a variety of shorter, ultrarunning events.
But none have the grandeur of gaining more than 15,000 feet of total altitude through 100 miles of alpine environment. Leadville shines as the granddaddy of trail-running events.
“I trained a lot and it was a big sacrifice, but I loved it,” said Suppinger. Throughout the spring and summer, he often trained with his colleague, Dr. Christopher Stark, orthopaedic surgeon at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. Stark finished the Leadville Silver Rush 50 Run.
Stark persuaded his friend to commit to the Leadville 100 and was paramount to Suppinger’s success. They spent many weekends waking at 4 a.m. to run so Suppinger could dash back through the door by 10 a.m. to “act like a normal dad” for his daughter.
“I decided to go out to Colorado six days early so I could sleep at a higher altitude and gain some physiological adaption to such limited oxygen.”
Ironically, Suppinger did a rural rotation for his residency at a small hospital in — Leadville.
“I enjoy how gorgeous it is,” he said. “The mountain streams, aspen forests, edges of ridges that stretch out over distant meadows. How lucky I was to be back there doing this!”
He ran for 70 of the 100 miles. Not even the winner dashes up the steepest peaks.
Sleep? What’s that? Blame the lack of shut eye for him making a wrong turn and running an extra two miles. “Just a minor mistake,” he joked. “Really, it could not have gone better!”
Temperatures hovered around 45 in the early hours to the upper 70s at mid-day heights. Thankfully, storms sidestepped the course, which would have become a dangerous slog.
He hoofed through a stream, twice, soaking his feet and requiring a stop to swap shoes. Fortunately, runners can have their own ‘pit crew’ meet them in key spots, such as 12 miles from the start to shed their headlights and arm warmers, mile 24 to slather sunblock and on and on. Of course, these breaks weren’t quite as quick as NASCAR pit stops.
Still, his partners were a welcome sight when he required food, fresh water, dry socks and yes, new contact lenses to replace ones caked with mountain dust. NASCAR drivers aren’t the only ones who need a cleaner windshield.
“The only way I survived out there is to stay positive and look at this race as 8 to 10 chunks, not miles,” said Suppinger. “I’m going from this spot, uphill, over this pass, down this descent and I’ll see those guys at the next spot.”
His friends provided a welcome jolt of energy at mile 62 where they could pace alongside him. Three buddies took turns, each for roughly a half marathon of 13 miles.
Suppinger completed the race in the next day’s pre-dawn darkness, shivering and drained, unable to walk another step. He needed weeks to recover. Suppinger’s trophy was the coveted silver “Big Buckle,” inspired by rodeo champions and awarded to the mighty few who achieved victory in under 25 hours.
“This race was so amazing that I’m hesitant to try and replicate it,” he said. “Things don’t bother me quite as much because I know what is hard; I experienced it!”
Learn more about the Leadville Trail 100 by clicking here.
The Race of All Races: Dr. Jeff Suppinger Completes Leadville Trail 100 Run
Usually, you’ll find him practicing family medicine for Williamson Health Medical Group at 4601 Carothers Parkway, but in August Dr. Jeff Suppinger was running with another group – called “ultramarathoners” – in Leadville, Colorado. The old silver mining town is tucked between two of the state’s tallest peaks and annually hosts a grueling 100-mile endurance race.
The Leadville Trail 100 Run has been drawing gutsy athletes to the Rocky Mountains since 1983. Determined ultrarunners like Suppinger test their stamina on rugged dirt roads and trails that climb to a literally breathtaking 12,600 feet. He was one of just 44 percent of the 826 starters who made it to the finish line, placing 72nd with a time of 24 hours, 42 minutes and 58 seconds.
Suppinger, now in his late 40s, only started running marathons after his medical training. His first, exactly 20 years ago, was coincidentally in the nearby Colorado town of Steamboat Springs. One adventure fueled the next, including seven appearances in the legendary Boston road race and a variety of shorter, ultrarunning events.
But none have the grandeur of gaining more than 15,000 feet of total altitude through 100 miles of alpine environment. Leadville shines as the granddaddy of trail-running events.
“I trained a lot and it was a big sacrifice, but I loved it,” said Suppinger. Throughout the spring and summer, he often trained with his colleague, Dr. Christopher Stark, orthopaedic surgeon at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. Stark finished the Leadville Silver Rush 50 Run.
Stark persuaded his friend to commit to the Leadville 100 and was paramount to Suppinger’s success. They spent many weekends waking at 4 a.m. to run so Suppinger could dash back through the door by 10 a.m. to “act like a normal dad” for his daughter.
“I decided to go out to Colorado six days early so I could sleep at a higher altitude and gain some physiological adaption to such limited oxygen.”
Ironically, Suppinger did a rural rotation for his residency at a small hospital in — Leadville.
“I enjoy how gorgeous it is,” he said. “The mountain streams, aspen forests, edges of ridges that stretch out over distant meadows. How lucky I was to be back there doing this!”
He ran for 70 of the 100 miles. Not even the winner dashes up the steepest peaks.
Sleep? What’s that? Blame the lack of shut eye for him making a wrong turn and running an extra two miles. “Just a minor mistake,” he joked. “Really, it could not have gone better!”
Temperatures hovered around 45 in the early hours to the upper 70s at mid-day heights. Thankfully, storms sidestepped the course, which would have become a dangerous slog.
He hoofed through a stream, twice, soaking his feet and requiring a stop to swap shoes. Fortunately, runners can have their own ‘pit crew’ meet them in key spots, such as 12 miles from the start to shed their headlights and arm warmers, mile 24 to slather sunblock and on and on. Of course, these breaks weren’t quite as quick as NASCAR pit stops.
Still, his partners were a welcome sight when he required food, fresh water, dry socks and yes, new contact lenses to replace ones caked with mountain dust. NASCAR drivers aren’t the only ones who need a cleaner windshield.
“The only way I survived out there is to stay positive and look at this race as 8 to 10 chunks, not miles,” said Suppinger. “I’m going from this spot, uphill, over this pass, down this descent and I’ll see those guys at the next spot.”
His friends provided a welcome jolt of energy at mile 62 where they could pace alongside him. Three buddies took turns, each for roughly a half marathon of 13 miles.
Suppinger completed the race in the next day’s pre-dawn darkness, shivering and drained, unable to walk another step. He needed weeks to recover. Suppinger’s trophy was the coveted silver “Big Buckle,” inspired by rodeo champions and awarded to the mighty few who achieved victory in under 25 hours.
“This race was so amazing that I’m hesitant to try and replicate it,” he said. “Things don’t bother me quite as much because I know what is hard; I experienced it!”
Learn more about the Leadville Trail 100 by clicking here.
Published: October 24, 2023
Keep Reading Similar News Stories
