Like a Lead Balloon: 30 Hours at the Leadville 100

Embark on an inspiring journey with Jeff Beecham, a husband and father of three, as he defies the odds to run the Leadville 100.
Winner of an essay contest, Jeff, an every day athlete, shares his remarkable story of perseverance, balancing family life, overcoming a troubled childhood and profound loss.
Join him on this emotional quest to conquer 100 miles while battling the relentless 30-hour cutoff. Experience the highs, lows, and unwavering determination in this extraordinary tale of resilience and endurance.
Video by ‪@BillyYang‬
#lasportiva #leadville100

[@BillyYang]

Thank you Ted, Taylor and everyone at La Sportiva for entrusting me to tell Jeff (and Jessica's) story. What a privilege.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Great work Billy, incredibly powerful storytelling. Bravo! Was great seeing you in Chamonix. In the works of narrating my UTMB story.

[@mikes7654]

Incredible Billy 🙂👍. Brought tears to my eyes at the end 🥲👍. Thank you for this

[@user-cu4je7vm5c]

You crushed it, great film

[@heymrguitarman7637]

Outstanding work as always Billy. So good.

[@affluentforager5704]

Beautiful! You are a master at story telling Billy! 😊

[@Dewthedru]

So proud of my brother!

[@monique6604]

Beautiful. This is why we need more Billy Yang films. He's able to capture the life, the journey, the story with kindness and love. Well done Jeff and thank you for sharing your story.

[@BillyYang]

🙏🏼❤

[@jntbeecham]

Father of FOUR including Birdie ❤️‍🩹 So proud of my man! Well done, Billy, Tony, and Hilary. You guys are incredible storytellers.

[@melissaboisvenue8263]

From one grieving parent to another…. I see you. I lost my daughter due to a heart condition at birth in 2020 and that’s why I found running. Thank you for sharing some of your moments with her with us.

[@GrahamZimmerman]

This is a monumental tribute to Leadville and our sport.

[@mikebuchholz347]

Jeff Thanks for sharing your story and Billy Yang for doing it. Keep going forward Jeff!

[@sallymcraestrength]

Beautiful!!!❤❤❤🥹🥹🙏

[@KevinMcNemar-mv2lu]

Such a meaningful and powerful telling of Jeff’s story. It was an honor to be a part of his journey. Also, it was such a privilege to spend time with Tony and Hillary… they’re just quality human beings!

[@HilaryAnn]

Same with you, Kevin! It was really special being part of that experience with all of you 🤗

[@mikeelmer9360]

Outstanding Jeff. Simply outstanding. Great job and a great tribute to you and your perseverance.

[@Joeely618]

Great film...congrats, Jeff! Your faith came through. Thanks Billy for an excellent production...and kudos to Hilary for her camera work too!! Great stuff!!

[@Sanko1960]

So powerful. So beautiful. Such a great example. Congratulations to Jeff and his great team.

[@Hogfanwps91]

Trying not to cry at my desk right now

[@timlynch9425]

Inspirational! Thank you for this.

[@kuwannadyer-pietras9958]

This is powerful. What an incredible story and film.

[@kcc9775]

Another round of applause. Well done Billy.

[@ericperramond3463]

Great job, Jeff! A truly boundless story, and if you know, you know. Cheers!

[@PellumbCollaku]

What an inspiring story! Jeff you are a HERO

[@krewjones]

Truly and utterly inspiring story. As a dad of two boys, I constantly strive to show them the hard work but more importantly the reward.

[@HeatherEvansCoaching]

Beautiful. Sobbed listening to Jeff's story. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and thank you, Billy, for capturing it with so much sensitivity.

[@Michael-uy5yz]

Way to go Beecham! Inspiring!

[@dashayoder2239]

Wow. Powerful, brought me to tears.

[@runchap]

Oh Billy...just beautiful in so many ways. We all carry baggage we weren't meant to bear. Resilience is a wonderful thing.

[@mikegallagher2732]

WAY TO GO JEFF !!!!!! You are AWESOME Sir As well as TRULY An INSPIRATION TO ALL.... And THANK YOU Billy !!!!!

[@miketrask7559]

Excellent film. Amazing story. The description of processing other types of pain, through the experience in the pain from running. Well said. God Bless.

[@1972njm]

Another brilliant story…another brilliant video…thank you for sharing the journey

[@EverythingWasGreat]

As soon as i saw Billys sign i knew this was going to be a great film.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

" we are all broken', amen, and if we ever understand that and learn to live with more respect for one another then the world will ultimately be a better place.

[@amyfriesland723]

This is an amazing story!! So inspirational!! Thank you for sharing your journey. Blessings to you and your family!!

[@Ultrarunningamber]

What a story and film. Perfect.

[@zacsakacsi]

Hoping to get in for 2024🤙

[@user-cu4je7vm5c]

Amazing and inspiring Jeff! Well done 👊

[@evabelt2646]

THIS just made my whole life ❤️!!!

[@alextprice]

@jbeech01 I was on the course with you. 29:35:43. I think I heard that yell right after I finished.Thank you for telling the story of us “completer not competers” this is the best Leadville video I’ve watched. Incredible story and incredible example for your children. My wife was also my crew chief. Ultra is a team sport and that was an amazing tribute to Birdie. Wear your buckle with pride! Thank you for sharing.

[@concretejustice2427]

This is exactly what ultra running is all about.

[@stacithirlwell8264]

Loved this story! Billy, again, great job!

[@thomasmoyer489]

This is incredible. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@walterhogie]

Loved this!! Thanks for capturing and sharing Jeff’s inspiring story so well❤

[@kellyward8608]

One of Billy's best yet!

[@marrunslow3815]

Powerful, raw and truthful. Billy keep up the great Story telling . This was a good one

[@malcolmbaron7834]

another epic story ! ❤

[@fabiotabollini5431]

Freaking awesome!!!

[@cpruns4501]

Amazing story, amazing achievement. I love seeing good things happen to good people! Well done.

[@kimkranz9764]

Fantastic, inspiring.

[@brianmichaelparks1]

This is fantastic! 🙌

[@andrewdelprete]

😭 beautiful

[@brendankennedy1530]

You have some wonderful people surrounding you.

[@jbeech01]

I would never had made the progress I have without those around me to help me along. Very blessed.

[@Terrilyn_Austen]

What a heartfelt and beautiful video. Thank you.

[@Nick-B78]

Incredible!

[@ricodelavega4511]

"nothing unmanageable". Wealth management guy is a beast.

[@muhammadjawadumer9936]

Yeah dude you did it. Such a motivational video. Thank you for sharing with us

[@thomalger]

Thank you! Perfectly captured.

[@Diegozijnyoutube]

Good job Jeff! Amazing touching story. Family and positivity❤

[@werunrepublic]

Here we go!

[@gkeil25]

What a great video. I feel the same way he does growing up.

[@Tlazo88]

What a beast ! good job and great story

[@zehranursimsek1477]

Wow, what a story! Congrats!

[@dylanhaskell2012]

incredible! Praise the Lord!

[@johnaheywood]

goosebumps

[@DrBryon]

So amazing....so deep...thank you @Billy Yang..

[@jeffreyrobbins688]

Well done sir.....

[@jeppyli5832]

Well done, Jeff!

[@stacypervis]

Awesome

[@tomhausmann8993]

W O W ! ! !

[@alessusnik]

beautiful.

[@stevebednarchik9390]

Good stuff..

[@Nnonetwo]

Kind of a disappointing film, especially considering Billy Yang's earlier (and astonishingly good) work. There wasn't anything about actual running here, or the course, or the journey, just some uninteresting wealth manager talking. All 100-mile finishers have incredible mental endurance, so repeatedly pointing that out as his strength was a little odd. I don't know, I guess this bland American Dream pull-yourself-up story just didn't resonate with me at all.

[@run2climb]

I think you've missed the point that most non-elite competitors (like Jeff) have "uninteresting" day jobs / lives (depending on your viewpoint) but they have also generally overcome various difficulties and yet still choose to challenge themselves through their running (or other sport) activities. This film's point is that ANYONE could also accomplish their goals with persistence, resilience and putting in the work.

[@piaruns7928]

0:02 ... And then there's me : sitting here with a notepad and a pen about to watch this video a second time and take notes because - holy cow- there were some insights I want to keep in mind! I came here for the running part as well but in the end this to me is so much more than just about ultra running. Well done Billy Yang, and may God bless Jeff and his family!

[@marlinweekley51]

Note: the race had been going on for two years before the mine closed.