Michael Mitchell never runs out of energy, joy or glitter. 

On Saturday, Mitchell climbed Colorado’s highest summit, Mount Elbert, and on Sunday he became the winner of the 44th annual Steamboat Marathon. 

Mitchell, 26, an ultra runner originally from Minnesota, fell in love with the long-distance running community as a senior in college. Since then, he has raced in the Leadville 100, Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon, among countless others. 

Now, Mitchell is a two-time Steamboat Marathon champion. 

He was crowned the race’s victor back in 2022 with a time of 2 hours, 43 minutes. This year, he not only shattered that pace, but set a personal marathon best by seven minutes.

He crossed the finish line in downtown Steamboat Springs in 2:32:06, roughly 10 minutes faster than the second-place finisher — Nate Iler of Steamboat Springs. 

Natalie Kalin, of Colorado Springs, was the top female finisher with a time of 3:08:48 for ninth overall. 

A total of 302 runners completed the Steamboat Marathon, taking runners from Hahns Peak Village to Lincoln Avenue. Roughly 800 more tackled the half-marathon course, which begins up Elk River Road near the Moonhill Schoolhouse Community Center. The 10-kilometer course saw 396 finishers. 

Following the race, Mitchell was quick to show his appreciation for Steamboat Springs. His parents retired to Routt County so he spends an abundance of time in the area. 

“I love this town, I think it has such great energy and people and community that not a lot of other mountain towns in Colorado have,” Mitchell explained. “This town has history and was a town before it was a ski resort.” 

The only thing Mitchell might love more than the Steamboat community is the running community. 

“Anyone who wants to run is allowed to join this community,” he said. “It is such a supportive environment that you really don’t get in a lot of other sports. So many people come out just to cheer on strangers they don’t even know.”

Mitchell said he feeds off that energy and screams back at anyone who screams for him. He enjoys the challenge a run can present, and endorses running for the community. 

“Slap some glitter on and scream your face off,” he said.