Last year I did the PPM. This year I did the DOUBLE. There is nothing like this race. Even though the spectators are dispersed sparingly along the mountain at water stops, and at the start/finish, their enthusiasm makes up for the lacking in numbers. Last year I felt like this was my favorite race, and this year I've confirmed it. Will be back for another DOUBLE in 2006.

This is a unique marathon, especially for 'flatlanders' (i.e., people who live at sea level and can't train at altitude) like me. It's 10 miles to the top of the treeline, and the view from there is as intimidating as it is breathtaking. The final 3 miles to the top are very tough -- they took me 2 hours. When you get to the summit, spend a few seconds looking at what you've accomplished. The run down is much easier. This run will humble and inspire you, I promise.

This was our 2nd year in a row going out to the Springs to do the Hill. This one was very special. What a great moment in my running life to cross the line with Wilma my wife and my very dear freind Choo Choo. Thanks to all the volunteers and the El Paso County Search & Rescue for all their hard work. Life is better at 14,110 ft.

I've run the ascent twice and the round trip twice. It's by far my favorite race. How I wish I could run it every year. I'm a woman, age sixty.

There simply aren't enough adjectives to describe this sheer enormity of this event. It was my third marathon (RNR San Diego twice) and it marks my change towards ultra-events. This is a religious experience coupled with double the physical challenge of a 'normal' marathon. Anyone who enjoys running and enjoys challenging themselves should do this at least once. And do the whole thing, not just the ascent. If you're gonna go all the way up, you may as well go back down.

My favorite sign is located at the base of Barr Trail. It basically says '12.5 miles to the summit of Pike's Peak. It will take a normal person 8 hours of strenuous hiking to reach to top.' (The marathon starts in town a mile from the trail base).

We are not normal people - 6 hours round trip. I'll be back.

it's really simple.. i ran this marathon to help me better understand the meaning of life.. what i discovered? well, life is about our relationship with humankind, and personally it's about overcoming pain and adversity, more specifically it's about believing in something when it seems that there is nothing.. this was my first 'marathon' if you could truly consider it just a marathon.. with God's pure grace i would absolutely take on this menacingly humbling event! oh, and let me tell you the views were snowkissed blue rock splendor!

I went out with 6 of my marathoning friends to take on the mountain. We all live at about 1,000 ft in Atlanta, GA. Thin air was tougher than we thought, but the view from the mountain was beyond words. At the finish I said I would never do it again. Monday morning we were talking about doing the double next year. GREAT RACE. Never been so proud of myself or my friends. Have run 22 marathons and this is now my favorite. Watch out next year, Pike's Peak, here we come again!!!!

I've hiked 14ers, but this is my first time running one. My training consisted mostly of treadmill long runs at 10 to 12% incline. This helped big time on the ascent. The only thing that held me back on the ascent was the lack of O2 towards the top. My lack of downhill training showed up in the descent. My legs were strong, but my core muscles (stomach, lower back, etc.) were in serious pain. This race was so personal. With only 800 running the race, you felt like each fan was cheering directly at you. And, in some cases, they were. It was awesome to hear my name being called when I was 200 feet from the finish. Will I do it again? In a heartbeat!

Going into this marathon, I had no previous altitude training for mountain running and was betting on raising my VO2max to get me through this event. The ascent portion was very tough, but the altitude did not shut me down. On the descent, I fell 5 times, but still managed to pick myself back up and push forward to the finish. The race support was first-class. Would I run this event again? In a heartbeat!

I signed up for this marathon ONLY because the Ascent was full. I have run five marathons and this marathon by far ranks as being a better one. For a small marathon, the organization was awesome, the aid stations were plentiful, and the spectators were great. The course is very challenging; but what an awesome feeling knowing that you have conquered the beast!!!

The only negative aspect of the race was some of the other runners. Come on guys...you hear/feel someone on your heels....move over!!! You aren't the only ones on the course!! I recommend this race to anyone that is up for a challenge.