Race: Leadville 100 Ultra

Teagan Papke

2021

Louisville, Colorado

Cairn Project Ambassador Teagan Papke smiles while hiking

About Teagan’s Adventure

I first learned about the Leadville Trail 100 about a decade ago, when I was in college. At the time, I had dabbled in cross country running in high school but I identified as a soccer player, not as a runner – and certainly not as an ultrarunner. In fact, I didn’t even know that was a thing. Right around that time, I was training for my first marathon and imagined it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every run that I went on was the longest I had ever run as I worked my way up to 26 miles. I thought, ‘Man, to run 26 miles? That’s crazy!'”

Why Get Out and Give Back?

“I am thrilled to partner with The Cairn Project to use my experiences and goals to extend beyond myself and broaden the scope of my reach to help other girls and women gain access to the outdoors, discover the gift of setting and accomplishing their own goals, and to connect with nature.”

Teagan Papke runs on a mountain trail

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I'm an aspiring trail runner from Portland, OR, proving that middle age is just the beginning. Five years ago, a neck injury left me wondering if I'd ever hike again - now I'm training for my first 50K. When I'm not trail running, I'm backpacking with a multi-year goal of section hiking the PCT. From 9-5, I work in marketing for a global non-profit, but after hours and on weekends you'll find me on the trails encouraging other women to try hard things.

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