From near-death experience to beating the ‘impossible’ Leadville 100 record – the amazing story of David Roche and ‘Hope’

A stunning new film from Allie Ostrander has shone the spotlight on David Roche‘s record-breaking run at the Leadville 100 last month.

Roche is a coach to a who’s who of trail running but until Leadville he had never taken part himself in a 100-mile race.

But after a near-death experience in April when he was hit by a car when cycling and thrown 100 feet into a fence, he began to make a remarkable recovery – and made public an incredible target.

That was to beat the legendary record of Matt Carpenter at the Leadville 100 of 15 hours, 42 minutes and 59 seconds which had stood since 2005, no wonder given that it was 90 minutes quicker than the previous best!

‘The impossible record’

As the film shows much of his training had to be done with his left arm in a sling and the scientific approach by David and his wife Megan to break down the record bid is fascinating. As is David’s take on the “pain cave”.

Best to watch the video above for the full story but David’s response to it has been just as heartwarming.

He said on X: “I watched this video and cried – a cry of release, of catharsis, of love for the broken road to get here.

“@allie_ostrander  created a 10-minute documentary on the Leadville 100 course record, live now. I am so in awe of her art and storytelling, and I’m so thankful for her friendship. 20 years from now, her video is how I want to remember this experience.

“In April, I was hit by a car while biking. My brain didn’t feel like my own for months after. But something happened in that accident that helped me run freely on those trails.

“Allie captured it in a way that I didn’t fully process until those tears started flowing. The crux of Leadville is Hope Pass. When I was in the depths post accident, that name felt appropriate. All I wanted to do was climb out of that hole. And I did. Here’s to Hope.”

Don’t be afraid of ‘big scary goals’

Ostrander, who is one of the many stars coached by Roche, says at the end of the film: “He taught all of us what it means to call your shot and to be unafraid of big scary goals.

“Thank you David for showing us that love wins. Love for the pain cave. Love for ourselves. Love for slurping. Love for science and, most of all, love for each other.”

The outpouring of affection and admiration from the trail running community for what David has achieved has also been lovely to see.

John Kelly, the Barkley Marathons legend, was just one of many: