Strafe Outerwear co-founder and Team USA skimo racer, John Gaston returned to Leadville in 2025 and once again proved he's one of the most versatile endurance athletes on two wheels or skis. For the fourth year in a row, Gaston secured a podium spot at the iconic Leadville Trail 100 MTB, finishing 2nd place in 6:00:51 and taking his place as a consistent force at this demanding mountain bike race.
The course 100 miles with over 12,000 feet of climbing at high elevation, delivered its usual brutality, not to mention a WILD mid-race crash to spice things up a bit this year, and John matched it with equal parts power and grit.
Leadville is brutal. That’s why we love it.
John's race recap:
I came into this year’s race with a clear goal to break that elusive 6hr barrier on this iconic course. With the win effectively wrapped up by the indomitable Keegan Swenson before the gun even went off, it felt like biggest prize left for us mere mortals at this iconic race. After three consecutive podiums, I had nothing to lose by targeting a goal that even just a few years ago felt wildly out of reach. I committed, went deep into the red to stay with Keegan Swenson and Simon Pellaud over the first two climbs of the day, and held it together up Columbine even when it felt like the wheels were already starting to fall off.
Simon really saved my day in those first few miles after the incident and got my head back in the game when it really felt like everything was slipping away. I turned frustration into motivation, got back on task, and absolutely buried myself in search of those last couple minutes in the final push to the line.
In the end I missed out by just 51 seconds, but it probably makes for a better story anyway. Leadville demands so much respect, and whether it’s six hours or twelve, everyone walks away with a tale to tell. Thank you @leadvilleraceseries for once again giving me the opportunity to experience the highs and lows that such a brutal and beautiful race invariably serves up to all who take on the challenge. 🫡"
Four years. Four podiums. And still, skimo remains his primary focus with the 2026 Olympics looming ever closer. But with performances like these, John continues to blur the line between “part-time MTB guy” and full-blown threat on dirt.
Whether it's skinning up peaks or grinding through high-altitude miles, John shows up and keeps showing up.
Photos courtesy of @leadvilleraceseries and @marathonfoto.
Lined up. Legs loaded.
The start of a long day, heading out of town on the pavement.
Went deep into the red to stay with Keegan Swenson and Simon Pellaud over the first two climbs of the day, and held it together up Columbine."
Leadville demands so much respect, and whether it’s six hours or twelve, everyone walks away with a tale to tell." - John Gaston
Congratulations to all the racers out there!
Read up on some more action and/or watch the full race highlights:
- John's crash with the camera crew: Dirt Dispatch caught it on Video
- Articles on John's mid-race collision: Peta Pixel and Unofficial Networks