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Apr 29, 2024

Pikes Peak Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Pikes Peak Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.9

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.1

Number of comments: 60 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

M. S. from The Midwest (8/22/2012) "Great mountain race" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Excellent race in all respects. Incredibly tough course but that's to be expected. Well organized. No complaints whatsoever.
A. P. from Colorado, USA (8/20/2012) "awesome experience!!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 When you get up above timberline, you might as well be 'running' on an entirely different planet. This was #43 for me and the first that involved 'scrambling.' All previous experience was on asphalt. This was a fun race, nice people, a finishers shirt that made the enrty fee worth it... I don't understand why the sports drink was so 'watered down.' The endurance formula is strong for a reason. Loved the fresh fruit and candy at the aid stations. I wish they had a photographer at the summit to capture that moment for people who wanted it. Awesome experience. I might be back...
D. S. from Michigan (8/23/2011) "Unforgettable Experience!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Somewhere along the trail at 12,000' I found myself staggering along, dizzy and needing to make repeated stops to let my breathing and heartrate correspond. Looking up at still 2,000' of winding trail through the rock and rubble to the summit, I really thought I was done for. It became hand-to-hand combat with that mountain. I scrapped and clawed my way to the top. But the mountain wasn't done sparring. It began to sleet and the descent was treacherous; slick and cautious footing for much of the way. A few runners got hurt. I ultimately made it though. As a 'flatlander' I could train for the distance, hills, and trails but toss in some unknowns like altitude 'management' and the unpredictable weather and this race became a challenge like no other race I ever experienced. I felt priviledged to be there at this prestigious race and be among so many incredible and encouraging athletes. This is truly an event that will define what you are made of. They did run out of beer and shirts by the time I finished, but I don't care...I beat Pikes Peak!
R. R. from Memphis, Tennessee (9/2/2010) "Running On (and Above) Cloud 9" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you have never run Pikes Peak, then there is nothing anywhere that I have found that is at all comparable to the experience. I have run many trial marathons and some modest altitude runs, but they are totally inadequate to prepare you for this run. It is an event unto itself. The air at 14,115 feet has less than half of the oxygen found at sea level. Unless you are part of the 1% of the population that lives close enough to such heights to train in them, expect altitude to severely effect your performance. You will walk... a lot. My last two miles literally were 30 minutes-plus EACH. I'm not in bad shape, but all I could do was stagger up the alpine mountian above the tree line. It's humbling. This marathon is actually two endurance races in one. There is the Ascent up the mountain (13.3 miles)that took me longer than almost any full marathon I have run. This is followed by the Decent which is a lot easier but still slower than the vast majority of my runs at a similar distance due to the relentless downhill ponding and thin air. Weather conditions are variable, so you need to pack for a wide range of conditions and read the advice found on this site, the race site and any other resource you can find to learn the tricks you will need just to finish. BELIEVE THE HYPE! This race is every bit as tough as they say! You will need to do a lot of special training to finish it. Your time will be awful. You will suffer like never before. I Loved every minute of it!
Knud Hermansen from Boulder, CO (8/23/2010) "It will humble you, but also bring you back" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Bottom Line: This race lives up to the hype of being the toughest race in America (it is certainly the toughest race that I have ever run). It is also superbly organized and one of the most fun races that I have ever done. Sign-up, website and pre-marathon: Race spots are limited due to the race being run on the Barr Trail. I was on the website and ready to go as soon as official entry was allowed. This seems to be the best way to guarantee that you will get in. The website and links to Matt Carpenter's website were very helpful (especially the course description). I was a little disappointed at how hard it was to get Matt's book on training for the marathon. It would be really nice (and I think they would sell) if the website would republish this book. Expo: The expo was small, but meaty for what it was. It was all contained under a big, white tent. Bart Yasso of Runner's World was the MC and was there signing his book. Decent number of useful vendors. I bought my gator here, which turned out to be perfect for running. Start: I arrived at 5 a.m. and had no problems finding a parking spot along Manitou Ave., which was a five-minute walk from the start. For the marathon there were more than enough porta-potties. I was able to use the bathroom without a wait 10 minutes before the race. Course and support: Absolutely phenomenal. The search and rescue guys were spread out approximately every 2.5 miles. They were very friends and well trained. It was easy to ask for what you wanted as you approached and have water, Gatorade, grapes, Chex Mix or Skittles waiting for you. Weather was sunny, start temps in the 60s, finish temps hot, in the 80s. The spectators as spare, but the ones that are there are enthusiastic enough to make up for low numbers. Summit was windy with sustained winds about 20 mph. Water and and port-a-john stops: I was very glad that I bought my water bottle. You have to drink more at altitude, and 2.5 miles between water stops is long when you consider the ascent pace for most people. There are essentially no porta-johns on the course and the treeline ends with three miles to go. Hotel and transportation: I stayed at a friends house in Colorado Springs, but there were plenty of hotels in Manitou. They were all sold out though, so it would seem that booking a hotel when you are accepted (if not before) would be a good idea. What worked: 1. The running gators I bought at the expo did a fantastic job of keeping rocks out of my shoes and I do not think I would run this race without them. 2. Stop at every aid station, whether you think you need it or not. You will. 3. Arriving at 5 a.m. got me great parking. 4. Running over rocks without jumping them. This seemed to save a lot of energy. 5. Running with my top wrapped around my waist and hat and sunglasses on. Of course, with the weather of that day I could have ditched the top. 6. Accurate way for me to predict my time: add 30 minutes to your last marathon time and this may give you your ascent time (it worked for me). Use Matt's pace calculator to figure out your descent time. Minus a wrong turn I made, this was accurate to within a 2-3 minutes. 7. Soaking in the creek afterwards (right by the finish) was a great idea. What could be improved: 1. Training at altitude: Theres not really much you can do about this one, but I think it would have been the single most helpful thing. And I live in Boulder at 5,300 feet. 2. I did bring gloves, but someone at the expo said that they use some thick-handed work gloves that they got at Home Depot. These might have been nicer. 3. More trail running up and down steep trails. I did this about once a week. It was not enough. 4. Wearing trail shoes: I was passed by a lot of people on the descent because I did not feel safe going faster.
M. M. from Atlanta (1/7/2010) "GREAT" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Pikes Peak Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd time running the PPM, and my first time trying the double. I faltered on Saturday with only about a mile to go. Had to get some help from S&R. Sunday was a different day. Had a BLAST!! This is the best race in the country. PERIOD! Tough, yes. But worth the effort. Will be back in 2010 to try the double again. See you in August, PPM.
C. L. from Cleveland, OH (9/21/2009) "OMG! BRUTAL... but I'd do it again!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was by far the hardest marathon I have ever done (and probably the hardest I will do). I am still trying to recover over a month later. Not the pain so much as the weirdness of trying to run again. It still feels like I'm running for the first time (oh well; I guess Chicago is gonna be REALLY UGLY!) Some advice and comments: 1. The best and most informative website (especially the message board). It truly is like some small village there which may explain the lack of postings on this site about the race. There are several frequent posters who really helped... though NOTHING can prepare you for the course. 2. The course: I tried to explain it to my wife who was there, but did not go above the treeline. It's weird looking up in several places and seeing the top so far away. Above the treeline it was like looking up some huge mall escalators and seeing these dots of people. It was also kind of like being on the moon. ALSO, be prepared to walk A LOT. 3. Buy gaiters. 4. Take some Altoids with you to settle your stomach in case of altitude sickness. I started to feel queasy five miles up and they seemed to work. 5. Be prepared for all weather (last year it snowed). I felt like a mule starting off with all of the things I carried. I wore a two-water-bottle belt, and it was enough because the volunteers at the aid stations refilled them. 6. The volunteers are AMAZING. In some cases they had to carry the tables and stuff three miles or so to set up their stations. THANK YOU SO MUCH! 7. If you are a flat-lander, one thing I would have done training-wise is LEARN how to HIKE! I was being passed while walking by several others who were walking! 8. LEAVE your pride at the start. I thought walking in a marathon was a sign of weakness. But in this one, it's a must! I ended up walking during the first bloody mile!! Do it early on so you can finish this challenge. 9. This is an ultra disguised as a marathon! Finally I only have 3 knocks on this race: 1. The expo was pitiful; the only reason I say this is that some posters on the website said it would be great. It was not! It was bare-boned with maybe two vendors, and it did not have the gels I was looking for (my fault). 2. I wish the designers or the person in charge of merchandise would get in touch with what people like regarding colors! I brought an extra couple of hundred bucks to spend on the merchandise as I was excited and proud to run this, yet the what they had was very limited (and the colors were bad). 3. Speaking of merchandise, the finisher's jacket was AWESOME... for the women!!! It was a sharp black running jacket with the emblem on the front and "14115 FT" across the back. Unfortunately, I am a guy. For us they chose a silver/bluish color, and it fits like a women's jacket. Overall, this is an AMAZING experience - one I will never forget. Once I get the 50 states out of the way, I WILL be back (hopefully I will have forgotten the pain by then!!). I am even PROUD to wear the jacket despite the color!!
D. C. from Chesterton, Indiana (8/20/2009) "EXCELLENT IN EVERY RESPECT" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Pikes Peak Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Without a doubt this is one of the finest and best organized marathons I have ever entered. This was my 6th double this year, and I am still amazed at how well the marathon staff does in their planning for getting the runners off of the peak after the ascent (half-marathon) held the day before the marathon.
K. B. from Lakewood, CO (2/11/2009) "A lot of fun" (about: 2008) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is my first marathon. I have run the Pikes Peak Assent in 2002, 2003 and 2004. This year I decided to do the full marathon. It was easier to run up than I thought but harder to come down. Things I would change about my training: Practice running long distances downhill. Things that helped include climbing a lot of 14ers and 13ers. I have done about 50 of them and this was my saving grace that helped me be prepared to handle the altitude - and, in the case of 2009 and 2004, the snow and ice conditions. I tell people anyone can do this race if they train for it. I did it in 6:44:16.
T. M. from AR (9/26/2008) "Very challenging" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very awesome experience. I would echo what others have said on here. It was a huge challenge and I'm looking forward to it next year. The only downside is that they do a "TCR triple crown of running," which is three races in Manitou Springs throughout the summer, ending with PPM. I would not recommend getting into that if your out of state. It's not worth it unless you're local, but that's what I had to do to get in. This year they gave out five-cent pens for finishers of the TCR???? But the PPM, as always, was great. I saw a lot of people running this race who have never stepped foot in Colorado. I highly recommend some high-altitude training or you'll be in big trouble. Anyhow, great race, and I'm hoping to do it again next year without the TCR.

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