An Inaugural Ultra Race, 40+ Years in the Making

The Biggest Little Ultra is a long distance race that will happen for the first time October 10-12, 2025. However, for Race Director Todd Leigh, this is hardly his "first rodeo." Todd has completed countless marathons, triathalons, 100-mile races, 50-mile races, and more over more than a half century of running on a variety of surfaces both road and trail.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Todd was an athelete who played football at high school. He went on to attend UC Berkeley where he earned his undergraduate degree and completed law school. After graduation he moved to San Diego where he established a family of four children and a strong network of friends. Todd had an extremely successful career as a real estate attorney at Procopio, working for the San Diego-based law firm for an astounding 50+ years before retiring in 2024.

Somewhere along the way in the 1970s Todd found his love for running and fitness.

As Race Director of the 2025 Biggest Little Ultra, Todd brings his lived experience of having completed rigorous ultra-distance courses like Angeles Crest (100), Leadville (100), Western States (100), Wasatch Front (100), UltraMan Triathalon (double Ironman), Jackpot (100), Pacific Crest Trail (50), Oriflamme (50), Cuyamaca Three Peaks, San Diego 50 Trail Marathon, Javelina J00 (100), and more.

In 1992, he completed the "Grand Slam of Ultra Running," which is an incredible feat for those in the now. His legacy has been recognized in the Washington Post and Running Magazine. Todd is currently one of the oldest 100-mile race completer at his current age of 83 years young.

Lessons learned from decades of ultra-distance running race experience are being implemented for the Biggest Little Ultra.

Todd recently moved from San Diego to Reno with his wife Carola, who is also a runner and ultra-distance completer. They have been impressed with the wonderful Nevada community and running opportunities that the area provides them. Taking his vast experience in running races, Todd wants to put on a race that will set up its participants for success.

An Ultra Race Course that is Well Lit and Safe

Firstly, the Biggest Little Ultra race course is well-lit and safe. When fatigue sets in it is nice to have ample visibility from support teams as well as visibility to your footing on the course itself. Todd once cracked his kneecap on a fall along the Wasatch Front trail race and not only was it brutally painful but it took some time to get medical attention. In addition, there have been years of gerrymandered lighting setups prior to effective head lamps, so the Biggest Little Ultra features a course that will be well-lit through the night hours.

An Ultra Race with Hot Fresh Food Made to Order

Secondly, the food at the Biggest Little Ultra will make things easier on the runners and on their support crews. Based on Todd's decades of race experience suffering of surviving on goo, Gatorade, and dehydrated food for 48 hours, the Biggest Little Ultra will have delicious cold smoothies, fresh vegan options, pizzas made to order, hot soups, and other tasty nourishing food along the course. Todd jokes that runners "may even gain weight at this race!"

An Ultra Marathon with No Race Time Cut Offs

Finally, one thing that has frustrated Todd over the years is when you don't make the race cutoff and have to bow out of the race. While Todd will admit he has never been the fastest runner even in his prime, as he has gotten older his pace can cause him to not make the interval cut offs early on in an ultramarathon. So, the Biggest Little Ultra is proud to say that it will not have any cut offs. Runners can try their best over the race's 48 hours to finish their goal of 50-miles or 100-miles. And, by having the timed options, racers can choose to try their best within a set window of time to see how far their bodies can go.

Conclusion: An Ultra Race Curated by an Ultra Racing Veteran

With his decades-long passion for running, Todd's legacy provides the Biggest Little Ultra with an unmatched Race Director who genuinely loves the sport.

Todd hopes people encourage family and friends to create a relay team, that those who have been interested to try out ultra-distance running give it a chance, and that the surrounding Reno community comes out to watch and cheer the racers on, and maybe get inspired to give it a try next year.

So, while 2025 is the Biggest Little Ultra's first year, the race has been 40+ years in the making and we hope you will join us!