About Trent

Long-time Chatham resident, Trent Thompson, is expanding his support to the Kailey’s Krew mission.  As a coach of the Chatham Kids Wrestling Club, he has been active as a part of the “Coaches for Kailey” efforts and activities along with many of the other Sports Coaches in the community.  Trent has been an active cyclist and adventure racer for many years and is using his cycling experience to raise more awareness and support for the Kailey Wilmarth Foundation mission.

In 2010, Trent competed in the Leadville Trail 100 (LT 100) Mountain Bike Race.  The race starts and finishes in Leadville, Colorado and races over 100 miles of some of the highest off-road terrain ever raced in the United States.  The highest peak climbed is over 12,400 feet.  The LT 100 series started in 1983 and has grown to a point that it requires a lottery system to allow racers into the associated events.  Past winners of the event include Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer. 

Trent was drawn from the lottery in 2010 on his first attempt to get into the race and he is actually in the “Race Across the Sky 2010” movie video, shown wearing his R & M Cyclery jersey, as big as life on the big-screen.  He is referenced as “that one guy” by some of the Professional Cyclists that competed in the race.

In 2010, Trent was pulled from the race at approximately 82 miles into the race, suffering from abdominal, hip-flexor, and hamstring cramping associated with dehydration.  “At the 40-mile “check-point”, I was feeling great, despite a serious crash down Power Line Road at about 40 mph.  But my support, my wife Julie and my two boys, Alec and Brady, gave me a bunch of grief.  I think Alec actually gave me a little slap in the face, if I recall.  We had trained, practiced, and talked about the support stuff but I sort of forgot to do my part.  In the first 40 miles, I didn’t consume any of my food or fluids that I was carrying.  I guess the adrenaline and excitement of the race sort of consumed my focus.  The next 20 miles were the ascent and descent of Columbine Mine.  After being scolded, I was sure to consume my stuff but I think by that time, the damage was already done.  When I got to the Power Line climb at about 80 miles or so, I struggled to stay on my bike, let alone walk up the steep grade.  When my abs and hip-flexors started coagulating on their own, I pretty much knew I was done.  I hate the feeling of the failure but I know what I need to do to get it right.”

Trent was again drawn from the lottery system for the 2011 race and this time he has a new vision and a new goal for completing the race.  He’s racing for a cause, a mission, and a new purpose…the Kailey Wilmarth Foundation.  This year, Trent’s mission is not to only race the LT 100 and finish under the 12 hour cut-off, he wants to finish it strong and wants to do it for Kailey and the Kailey’s Krew mission. 

 

“I’ve got a great team heading to Colorado with me in addition to my wife and kids.  Jandy and Ken Arnold from Lake of the Ozarks; Jim, Dawn, and Celine Hartman from Rock Falls; Jennifer and Bryce Dietz from Rock Falls; and Todd, Shauna, and “Bug” Trautvetter from Chatham.  And I have some great “sponsors” that are giving their support to the Kailey’s Krew Foundation ."

“I have a new mission that I hope you can find a way to give your support towards as well.  Visit my BLOG, drop a note, and if you can give something to the foundation, rest assured that we all appreciate it very much.”