Pikes Peak Marathon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pikes Peak Marathon | |
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| Date and location | August Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA |
| Race type | Road/trail |
| Distance | Marathon and half-marathon |
| Established | 1956 |
| Record | Ascent: 2:01:06 (M), 2:33:31 (F); Marathon: 3:16:39 (M), 4:15:18 (F)[1] |
| Official site | www.pikespeakmarathon.org |
The Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon is a racing event that begins at the base of Pikes Peak, in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and climbs over 7,700 feet (2347 m) to the top of the 14,115 foot (4300 m) peak. Since 1966, the event has occurred each year in the late summer, with the ascent taking place on a Saturday (slightly longer than a half-marathon, at 13.3 miles), and the round-trip marathon on Sunday.
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[edit] Course
Because of the nature of the run (dirt trails, rock, and other natural obstacles) and the high altitude, the race is considered to be much more difficult than standard 26.2-mile (42-km) marathons. This is attested to by the best times for the round trip being typically just under four hours (versus the regular "flat land" marathon times of just over two hours). Although the average grade of the slope is 11%, some sections are much steeper because the central portion of the race is actually relatively flat. The initial three miles (5 km) are very steep. The central 7 miles (11 km) start as rolling terrain, but become progressively steeper toward the end. The top 3 miles (4.8 km) are above timberline and often require some rock scrambling to reach the summit. Oxygen levels drop progressively as altitude rises, further compounding the uphill ordeal.
Winning race times may differ significantly from year to year, often depending on weather and trail conditions. Some races have been associated with hot, dry conditions, and others have been associated with snow and cold at the top of the peak.
Currently, the race typically attracts hundreds of runners for both the ascent and for the round-trip. The USDA Forest Service limits the number of runners to 1,800 for the ascent and 800 for the marathon, and the race registration typically fills in one or two days.
[edit] History
The history of the race dates to 1956 when three smokers challenged ten non-smokers to compete the over-26-mile (42 km) race. None of the three smokers completed the course. [2] In 1966 a well-organized marathon was initiated, making the race the third-oldest marathon in the United States. [3]
In 1959, Arlene Pieper became the first woman to enter and complete a marathon in the United States when she finished the Pikes Peak Marathon. [4]
The most successful athletes in the history of the marathon have been Matt Carpenter, outright record holder and winner of the marathon on ten occasions,[5] and Erica Larson, who has won the women's race five times.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b List of Pikes Peak marathon winners, Matt Carpenter, Skyrunner.com
- ^ Galvin, J. III (August 2006), "Peak Experience", Runner's World 41 (8): 94
- ^ Oldest marathons in the United States
- ^ First woman to run marathon in US - PPM
- ^ Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon Age-Group and Course Records, Skyrunner.com
