For the third time, Michael Mitchell, 27, won the men’s division and was the overall Steamboat Marathon winner. The social media star — known as “Rave Twink” — completed Sunday’s 45th annual marathon in 2 hours, 31 minutes.

Mitchell previously won the marathon in 2022 and 2025.

Michele Perez-Lopez, 30, won the women’s marathon in 2 hours, 58 minutes.

Additionally, Sumner Cotton, 23, won the men’s half marathon; Pearson Alspach, 39, won the women’s half marathon; Jonas Pressgrove, 15, won the men’s 10K; and Sydney Wattles, 16, won the women’s 10K.

“It’s always a great day at the Steamboat Marathon,” said Mitchell. “I came here to have fun and that’s what I did.”

Over 1,500 total runners lined up for the three races. The youngest was an 8-year-old from Hayden who ran the 10K, while the oldest was 83-year old Tom Coleman from Steamboat Springs, who has completed more than 270 marathons.

On social media, Mitchell is known for his infectious joy and exploring the Centennial State. In fact, before each Steamboat Marathon win he’s climbed Mount Elbert — the highest peak in Colorado at 14,440 feet. He says climbing the peak helps him get into the mindset to run the marathon.

Both Perez-Lopez and Mitchell wanted to break the course records for men and women. The men’s record is just under 2 hours 24 minutes, while the women’s record is just under 2 hours 54 minutes.

“Yes, I wanted to break the record, but I am still happy with the result,” said Mitchell. “I did beat last year’s time, so I’m improving.”

“I did not take the lead until after the halfway point,” said Perez-Lopez. “While I am happy with the results, the hills did get me a little bit.”

Mitchell and Perez-Lopez are both ultra runners — someone who runs distances longer than the 26.2 miles — and both use the Steamboat Marathon as a training run to warm up for the longer races.

In 2025, Mitchell finished in 2 hours, 32 minutes. Perez-Lopez did not run.

Mitchell’s parents call Routt County home.

As he crossed the finish line Sunday, Mitchell sparkled in the sunlight from the glitter that adorned his body as spectators roared in excitement. Mitchell dominated the race, finishing 10 minutes ahead of second-place finisher Ishmael Anguiano.

Perez-Lopez also finished 10 minutes ahead of second-place women’s finisher Natalie Daniels and was the only woman to run a sub-3-hour marathon.

Among the races Mitchell plans to run this upcoming season are the Leadville 100, the Nolan’s 14 — climbing, running and hiking the fourteen 14,000-foot peaks in the Sawatch Range in under 60 hours — and the Berlin Marathon.

“Steamboat is such a great atmosphere to start the season,” said Mitchell. “There is not a better way to start the season than seeing the sun rise above the Zirkels and bathing Hahn’s Peak. It’s such a unique experience.”

Perez-Lopez has set her sights on the United States National 24-hour running team. At the minimum, she will need to run at least 125 miles in a 24-hour period. The International Association of Ultrarunners hosts the 24-Hour World Championships every two years and the next iteration will be held in 2027.

“I love coming to this community and feel so welcome here,” said Mitchell. “It’s such a friendly atmosphere, and that’s why I keep coming back.”