Marathon Details - Pikes Peak Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > CO > Manitou Springs > Pikes Peak Marathon

Pikes Peak Marathon & Half Marathon (Ascent)

Manitou Springs, CO USA

September 22, 2024

http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org

More Info:	News
Results:	2023 \| 2022 \| 2021 \| 2020 \| 2019 \| 2018 \| 2017 \| 2016 \| 2015 \| 2014 \| 2013 \| 2012 \| 2011 \| 2010 \| 2009 \| 2008 \| 2007 \| 2006 \| 2005 \| 2004 \| 2003 \| 2002 \| 2001 \| 2000 Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:
Address:	441 Manitou Ave, Suite 100 Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Phone Number:	(719) 473-2625
Email:	Email the organizers



Become a Verified Race, and stand out from the crowd. We feature a blue check next to verified races on our calendar, and feature your race on the Verified Races section of the website.	Get Verified Now



Getting ready for this event? Get a personalized adaptive training plan and 1:1 coach assistance.	Get Your Plan

Reviews

Course 4.9

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.1

Write a review

Number of comments: 60 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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

G. M. from Tucson AZ (10/30/2021) "I return every year if possible." (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Pikes Peak Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I wish I could train more but I live in the desert now. Love this race, the people and the trail is just the best. Weather is always different and it presents a real life challenge.
R. H. from Houston, TX (9/10/2019) "Extremely tough race, but worth the effort" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The good: If you're looking for a challenge...this is it! This was my 50th marathon and was the most difficult by far. I've run hilly marathons before (Boston, San Francisco, Athens) but nothing could prepare me for this. It took all the strength I could muster to finish, but I'm glad I stuck it out. The organizers did a great job with the aid stations too. They were well-stocked with flat coke, grapes, M&M's, pretzels, etc... And the volunteers were awesome too. Manitou Springs is a very cool town, and the post-race street party was a great way to recover after the race. The bad: I'm not sure how a marathon could miss this...but they did not have any photographers at the finish line! Are you kidding me?!?! I just tortured myself for 8 hours finishing the toughest race of my life, and I don't even have a picture of me crossing the finish line. To make it worse, I brought my kids with me and they ran across the finish line with me...what a priceless memory that I don't even have a picture of. Ridiculous! Even 5K's have photographers at the finish line. And they didn't have a photographer at the summit either. So after busting my balls to get to the summit...there's no picture to capture the accomplishment. And then I make my way to the finish and cross the line with my kids...and no picture. HUGE LET DOWN! Overall this is a good race to do if you're up for the challenge, but I find it absolutely ridiculous regarding the lack of pictures.
A. L. from Colorado Springs, CO (10/8/2016) "Have to do it at least once! Bucket list race!" (about: 2016) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm local, so my view of this race is inherently biased. I trained on-course at least 2 to 3 times weekly from November the previous year right until the race. I wouldn't recommend anything less, and for flatlanders: hills, or an inclined treadmill. Don't worry about altitude but DO train on an incline. My Ascent time was roughly 30 mins faster than my flat marathon PR. But in general, a person can estimate their finish time by adding 30 mins to their marathon time for the uphill, and then add another 67% of the uphill time for the downhill. If you can take your eyes off the trail for a few, you'll have an amazing view from the top!! The course director and support was superior to any other marathon I have done. Delicious food at the end. If you are dedicated and want to experience a unique opportunity, this is the race.
K. B. from Raleigh, NC (12/1/2015) "Both better & worse than I expected" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I didn't really know what I was getting into when I signed up, and I'm glad I didn't or might not have done it! That being said, I'm glad I did. I read many blogs and posts, though, before I did it, and the best advice I gleaned & applied was 1.) wear gloves, esp. on the descent & regardless of weather because you almost certainly will fall and 2.) do not go out too far ahead of time. I live in NC, basically at sea level, & had no chance to adjust to altitude but had little to no trouble because I arrived in CO 3 days before the race. BIGGEST mistake I made: NOT wearing trail shoes. I don't run trails usually & haven't ever raced a trail marathon so had no idea how much it mattered. It does. Buy trail shoes. We got lucky with mostly good weather & the tank top & shorts I wore worked fine for the whole course. Other mistake: on the descent, I shouldn't even have attempted to run until I got off the boulders & below tree line. It's an injury waiting to happen unless you're a nimble & experienced trail runner. People were super nice but spectators few. I didn't care for the aid station food - found the Justin's PB that I brought was the best thing but messy & hard to eat while racing. ALSO super glad for my Flipbelt which held my food & gloves. My descent time, statistically, was 30 mins slower than it should have been, because the descent was actually MUCH harder (scary!) than the ascent. I could have been in better shape before the race, but given the technicality of the course, I'm not sure how much better I could have done w/o being able to train on the course itself. It was skill/fearlessness (or lack thereof) rather than lack of fitness that held me back in the end. I'm glad I did this & might consider doing it again my hesitation is that the course is actually dangerous & potentially a source of serious injury if you hope to go out and actually race it rather than just finish it. The 'take your flat marathon and add 30 mins to the finish time for the ascent' worked out 100% accurately for me, based on the June marathon time I had. I wasn't in PR shape but not sure that would have made a difference. I'm still working through my feelings about this race and course, but I definitely don't regret the experience & I feel pretty bad a** for having done it and finishing 2nd in my age group. Just make sure you have the right gear; right fuel; & right expectations.
James Snell from Texas (9/16/2015) "It's about the trail!" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 By a long shot, the hardest thing I've tackled. I am a road runner mostly. A little late in life to get mountain goat lessons! It's about the trail . . . but no one told me: It's about the trail! Don't worry about altitude, it's about the trail! Think I'll do it again!
A. M. from Spencerport, NY (8/28/2014) "Difficult, but fun race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I was more exhausted after this race than I was from Ironman Arizona. As I learned the hard way, training on a treadmill at incline=15 is helpful, but not enough. The trail is not all smooth like a treadmill belt. There are many, many spots in which you have to climb over rocks, roots, old railroad ties etc.. If you are a lowlander throw in some stairmaster training as well
M. B. from Hudsonville, MI (10/7/2013) "Toughest Race Mile for Mile" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race.. The web site does a great job and letting you know this race is not for Sissies. This is a trail race and you should prepare for that, if you come from flat lands like i do i am not sure there is anyway to prepare for the elavation, just know that it will probabaly take you marathon time plus 30 minutes just to climb
g. g. from ohio (8/22/2013) "Very Tough" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just did the race on Sunday so this is very fresh in my mind. I am from Ohio to give you a flat landers perspective. This is a race you do to challenge yourself after you have done at least 4-5 marathons. I did lots of hill repeats and long walks on the treadmill at 15% at a 15-13 min pace. You will walk 80% on the ascent because there is little room to run! This is a trail course and I wish I would have done more especially for the way down,lots of rocks ,gravel,uneven ground ,trees roots. Gaiters would help with the stones, I had to stop 4-5 times to get them out. Weather was great and the coolness at the top felt good, this is not always the case. Speaking of altitude, it didn't seem that bad,maybe cuz you'r walking and standing while other runners are coming down, this will slow you down. I was told no matter how bad you feel at the top turn around and you will feel better and that was the case. It is very difficult coming down , so you have to be carefull with twisted ankles etc. My ascent time was 4:52 and finished at 8:03. My last flatland marathon in April was 4:10 to give you an idea. If you put in the time with run /walk and do the hill repeats this is doable. I'm thinking about doing the double next year!
Bob Kroeger from Flatland, Ohio (10/26/2012) "DANGEROUS COURSE!! BEWARE!!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After running my first PPM, I made a few suggestions to the race organizers to change the course description and to add a trail marathon as a qualification. Perhaps my suggestions will eventually be considered. Sometimes it's good to step out of the box for a look from the outside in. That said, I write this from a constructive viewpoint in hopes that 1) naïve people running PPM for the first time (like me) won't get injured and 2) that first-timers have a realistic chance to finish inside of ten hours to earn their finisher's shirt and medal. Even though I'm a 3:45 to 4:15 marathoner on paved marathon courses, I consider myself lucky to have finished PPM in under ten hours. I would have been really disappointed to have finished in 10:01 and not received a medal. Rules are rules, which is fine. But be aware that you will receive neither a finisher's shirt nor a marathon medal if you finish outside of ten hours. Period. I again politely suggest that the organizers reword their description of the Barr trail. It now reads The trail is often narrow, winding, and may be gravel, rocks or dirt with sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation or direction. However, there are no exposed ledges so there is no danger of falling off the trail! & The footing, or surface, of the trail does vary. In the forested sections it is primarily decomposed rock with a mixture of dirt and loose gravel on the surface with the occasional root or rock protrusion. Above treeline (that is, above the A-frame shelter) the trail is primarily loose gravel with one short section of broken rock. While this is mostly accurate, there are two significant omissions. First, there is ALMOST CONSTANT danger in falling off the trail - down either into rocks, granite boulders, or into sharp points of tree limbs on the many burned out pines. Many, many places would allow a fall of 10 to 50 yards - with the potential of serious injury. No, you won't fall off the proverbial cliff but you can get hurt. Secondly, the trail in the forest does not have the 'occasional tree root,' it has countless tree roots and many little rocks which can be hidden by the shadows. Trip on one of those and you could break your arm or leg or worse. Just ask the second place male finisher who tripped when, as he said, he lost his focus towards the end of the race. Result: bloody gashes. People are warned to be careful: each year several go to the hospital. I don't know how many went this year. Running fast times in marathons on paved surfaces does not guarantee a good finish here. Aside from altitude factors near the summit, a steep climb, a trail littered with rocks, boulders and roots, the clinching part is the ability (or lack of it in my case) to RUN DOWNHILL, bounding left, right and over these constant obstacles. Going up to the top is fairly safe since most of us can't go that fast to lose our footing. But downhill is much different and much more dangerous. Almost all the runners I saw were excellent mountain trail runners, competent to leap among the rocks and roots and agile enough to avoid falling (I saw one person fall - only a small knee injury). However, lacking this trail running expertise, I decided to be careful and run only in the parts of the path that were free of rocks and roots, which meant walking 80% of the downhill. Please note: if you are an overweight marathon runner (and there are lots of these), PPM is not for you. Yes, you might be able to run the Columbus marathon in five and a half hours, which qualifies you for PPM. But you probably wont finish PPM in less than ten hours. Consider the Ascent instead. And, if youre not an experienced trail runner, you're in for a rude awakening. This is one tough puppy, especially the downhill part. Therefore, I would suggest also that the organizers change their entry requirements to include having run a trail marathon (there are dozens to choose from). That would indicate a runner's ability to negotiate the difficult Pikes Peak trail. Ironically PPM is nearly the opposite of Boston: Boston's qualifying is very difficult but the marathon itself is not too hard (unless a Noreaster blows in your face the whole way as it did in 2007). But PPM qualifying of 5:30 is fairly easy while the marathon is extremely difficult. If you really want to run this one, I advise to do a trail marathon first - one with many rocks and roots and learn to leap going downhill. As you know, this might mean a twisted ankle, knee, or a broken bone. That said, the race is extremely well organized and supported: the volunteers are terrific. Even the fans, late in the day, stuck around to cheer on the slowpokes like me. The pasta dinner and expo were wonderful. Thanks also to the El Paso County rescue team and I hope they didn't get too much business. The views from high up above the treeline are spectacular: Colorado is one of our most scenic states. I also highly recommend a massage from the local massage school. I got one before and after the race and they both helped.
G. K. from northeast TN (8/22/2012) "You can do it" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Nothing else quite compares. When you reach a stage in your marathoning where finishing time isn't such a big deal but a great experience is, then 'run' this race. I experienced the joy and exuberance at the finish line that I hadn't felt in a very long time. Other than a little bit of running in town at 'only' a 5% grade and a section for a couple of miles at 9,500 ft, you cant run the first half unless you are a trail running elite. There are too many people in the Conga line and impact of grade and altitude is beyond description. Even with that little bit of running, I got to the top in 4:40, almost 2 hours in advance of the cut off. Few in the 2012 race were going to miss the 6:30 cut-off at the top. We had perfect racing weather, which probably helped. Getting through the tree line and seeing the tiny heads bobbing along the trail far, far above me was the most beautiful and most depressing site I have ever seen in 37 marathons. The best parts, non-scenery division, were the trail volunteers/rescue and the people in town as you approached the finish. Both groups were wildly energetic and enthusiastic. I especially liked the kazoo band that played at 13,000 ft. They even played 'Rocky Top!' My only quibbles: -I get it that the race team has to be intense when it comes to runner safety, but the race website seemed overboard on the downer side. So much negativity. I think you can be serious about the safety issues of mountain running while still showing the joyousness that everyone on the course showed to me during the race. -'Shame on you' to every runner who was so self-absorbed that they dropped a gel packet or cup on the trail, making the job harder for the race organizers who had to cover the entire trail to pick up after us. The race could lose its permit with the Park Service, plus the aid stations were only 2 miles apart. There's no reason for not holding onto ones trash.

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

Become an Advertiser

G. M. from Tucson AZ (10/30/2021) "I return every year if possible." (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Pikes Peak Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I wish I could train more but I live in the desert now. Love this race, the people and the trail is just the best. Weather is always different and it presents a real life challenge.
R. H. from Houston, TX (9/10/2019) "Extremely tough race, but worth the effort" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The good: If you're looking for a challenge...this is it! This was my 50th marathon and was the most difficult by far. I've run hilly marathons before (Boston, San Francisco, Athens) but nothing could prepare me for this. It took all the strength I could muster to finish, but I'm glad I stuck it out. The organizers did a great job with the aid stations too. They were well-stocked with flat coke, grapes, M&M's, pretzels, etc... And the volunteers were awesome too. Manitou Springs is a very cool town, and the post-race street party was a great way to recover after the race. The bad: I'm not sure how a marathon could miss this...but they did not have any photographers at the finish line! Are you kidding me?!?! I just tortured myself for 8 hours finishing the toughest race of my life, and I don't even have a picture of me crossing the finish line. To make it worse, I brought my kids with me and they ran across the finish line with me...what a priceless memory that I don't even have a picture of. Ridiculous! Even 5K's have photographers at the finish line. And they didn't have a photographer at the summit either. So after busting my balls to get to the summit...there's no picture to capture the accomplishment. And then I make my way to the finish and cross the line with my kids...and no picture. HUGE LET DOWN! Overall this is a good race to do if you're up for the challenge, but I find it absolutely ridiculous regarding the lack of pictures.
A. L. from Colorado Springs, CO (10/8/2016) "Have to do it at least once! Bucket list race!" (about: 2016) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm local, so my view of this race is inherently biased. I trained on-course at least 2 to 3 times weekly from November the previous year right until the race. I wouldn't recommend anything less, and for flatlanders: hills, or an inclined treadmill. Don't worry about altitude but DO train on an incline. My Ascent time was roughly 30 mins faster than my flat marathon PR. But in general, a person can estimate their finish time by adding 30 mins to their marathon time for the uphill, and then add another 67% of the uphill time for the downhill. If you can take your eyes off the trail for a few, you'll have an amazing view from the top!! The course director and support was superior to any other marathon I have done. Delicious food at the end. If you are dedicated and want to experience a unique opportunity, this is the race.
K. B. from Raleigh, NC (12/1/2015) "Both better & worse than I expected" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I didn't really know what I was getting into when I signed up, and I'm glad I didn't or might not have done it! That being said, I'm glad I did. I read many blogs and posts, though, before I did it, and the best advice I gleaned & applied was 1.) wear gloves, esp. on the descent & regardless of weather because you almost certainly will fall and 2.) do not go out too far ahead of time. I live in NC, basically at sea level, & had no chance to adjust to altitude but had little to no trouble because I arrived in CO 3 days before the race. BIGGEST mistake I made: NOT wearing trail shoes. I don't run trails usually & haven't ever raced a trail marathon so had no idea how much it mattered. It does. Buy trail shoes. We got lucky with mostly good weather & the tank top & shorts I wore worked fine for the whole course. Other mistake: on the descent, I shouldn't even have attempted to run until I got off the boulders & below tree line. It's an injury waiting to happen unless you're a nimble & experienced trail runner. People were super nice but spectators few. I didn't care for the aid station food - found the Justin's PB that I brought was the best thing but messy & hard to eat while racing. ALSO super glad for my Flipbelt which held my food & gloves. My descent time, statistically, was 30 mins slower than it should have been, because the descent was actually MUCH harder (scary!) than the ascent. I could have been in better shape before the race, but given the technicality of the course, I'm not sure how much better I could have done w/o being able to train on the course itself. It was skill/fearlessness (or lack thereof) rather than lack of fitness that held me back in the end. I'm glad I did this & might consider doing it again my hesitation is that the course is actually dangerous & potentially a source of serious injury if you hope to go out and actually race it rather than just finish it. The 'take your flat marathon and add 30 mins to the finish time for the ascent' worked out 100% accurately for me, based on the June marathon time I had. I wasn't in PR shape but not sure that would have made a difference. I'm still working through my feelings about this race and course, but I definitely don't regret the experience & I feel pretty bad a** for having done it and finishing 2nd in my age group. Just make sure you have the right gear; right fuel; & right expectations.
James Snell from Texas (9/16/2015) "It's about the trail!" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 By a long shot, the hardest thing I've tackled. I am a road runner mostly. A little late in life to get mountain goat lessons! It's about the trail . . . but no one told me: It's about the trail! Don't worry about altitude, it's about the trail! Think I'll do it again!
A. M. from Spencerport, NY (8/28/2014) "Difficult, but fun race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I was more exhausted after this race than I was from Ironman Arizona. As I learned the hard way, training on a treadmill at incline=15 is helpful, but not enough. The trail is not all smooth like a treadmill belt. There are many, many spots in which you have to climb over rocks, roots, old railroad ties etc.. If you are a lowlander throw in some stairmaster training as well
M. B. from Hudsonville, MI (10/7/2013) "Toughest Race Mile for Mile" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race.. The web site does a great job and letting you know this race is not for Sissies. This is a trail race and you should prepare for that, if you come from flat lands like i do i am not sure there is anyway to prepare for the elavation, just know that it will probabaly take you marathon time plus 30 minutes just to climb
g. g. from ohio (8/22/2013) "Very Tough" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just did the race on Sunday so this is very fresh in my mind. I am from Ohio to give you a flat landers perspective. This is a race you do to challenge yourself after you have done at least 4-5 marathons. I did lots of hill repeats and long walks on the treadmill at 15% at a 15-13 min pace. You will walk 80% on the ascent because there is little room to run! This is a trail course and I wish I would have done more especially for the way down,lots of rocks ,gravel,uneven ground ,trees roots. Gaiters would help with the stones, I had to stop 4-5 times to get them out. Weather was great and the coolness at the top felt good, this is not always the case. Speaking of altitude, it didn't seem that bad,maybe cuz you'r walking and standing while other runners are coming down, this will slow you down. I was told no matter how bad you feel at the top turn around and you will feel better and that was the case. It is very difficult coming down , so you have to be carefull with twisted ankles etc. My ascent time was 4:52 and finished at 8:03. My last flatland marathon in April was 4:10 to give you an idea. If you put in the time with run /walk and do the hill repeats this is doable. I'm thinking about doing the double next year!
Bob Kroeger from Flatland, Ohio (10/26/2012) "DANGEROUS COURSE!! BEWARE!!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After running my first PPM, I made a few suggestions to the race organizers to change the course description and to add a trail marathon as a qualification. Perhaps my suggestions will eventually be considered. Sometimes it's good to step out of the box for a look from the outside in. That said, I write this from a constructive viewpoint in hopes that 1) naïve people running PPM for the first time (like me) won't get injured and 2) that first-timers have a realistic chance to finish inside of ten hours to earn their finisher's shirt and medal. Even though I'm a 3:45 to 4:15 marathoner on paved marathon courses, I consider myself lucky to have finished PPM in under ten hours. I would have been really disappointed to have finished in 10:01 and not received a medal. Rules are rules, which is fine. But be aware that you will receive neither a finisher's shirt nor a marathon medal if you finish outside of ten hours. Period. I again politely suggest that the organizers reword their description of the Barr trail. It now reads The trail is often narrow, winding, and may be gravel, rocks or dirt with sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation or direction. However, there are no exposed ledges so there is no danger of falling off the trail! & The footing, or surface, of the trail does vary. In the forested sections it is primarily decomposed rock with a mixture of dirt and loose gravel on the surface with the occasional root or rock protrusion. Above treeline (that is, above the A-frame shelter) the trail is primarily loose gravel with one short section of broken rock. While this is mostly accurate, there are two significant omissions. First, there is ALMOST CONSTANT danger in falling off the trail - down either into rocks, granite boulders, or into sharp points of tree limbs on the many burned out pines. Many, many places would allow a fall of 10 to 50 yards - with the potential of serious injury. No, you won't fall off the proverbial cliff but you can get hurt. Secondly, the trail in the forest does not have the 'occasional tree root,' it has countless tree roots and many little rocks which can be hidden by the shadows. Trip on one of those and you could break your arm or leg or worse. Just ask the second place male finisher who tripped when, as he said, he lost his focus towards the end of the race. Result: bloody gashes. People are warned to be careful: each year several go to the hospital. I don't know how many went this year. Running fast times in marathons on paved surfaces does not guarantee a good finish here. Aside from altitude factors near the summit, a steep climb, a trail littered with rocks, boulders and roots, the clinching part is the ability (or lack of it in my case) to RUN DOWNHILL, bounding left, right and over these constant obstacles. Going up to the top is fairly safe since most of us can't go that fast to lose our footing. But downhill is much different and much more dangerous. Almost all the runners I saw were excellent mountain trail runners, competent to leap among the rocks and roots and agile enough to avoid falling (I saw one person fall - only a small knee injury). However, lacking this trail running expertise, I decided to be careful and run only in the parts of the path that were free of rocks and roots, which meant walking 80% of the downhill. Please note: if you are an overweight marathon runner (and there are lots of these), PPM is not for you. Yes, you might be able to run the Columbus marathon in five and a half hours, which qualifies you for PPM. But you probably wont finish PPM in less than ten hours. Consider the Ascent instead. And, if youre not an experienced trail runner, you're in for a rude awakening. This is one tough puppy, especially the downhill part. Therefore, I would suggest also that the organizers change their entry requirements to include having run a trail marathon (there are dozens to choose from). That would indicate a runner's ability to negotiate the difficult Pikes Peak trail. Ironically PPM is nearly the opposite of Boston: Boston's qualifying is very difficult but the marathon itself is not too hard (unless a Noreaster blows in your face the whole way as it did in 2007). But PPM qualifying of 5:30 is fairly easy while the marathon is extremely difficult. If you really want to run this one, I advise to do a trail marathon first - one with many rocks and roots and learn to leap going downhill. As you know, this might mean a twisted ankle, knee, or a broken bone. That said, the race is extremely well organized and supported: the volunteers are terrific. Even the fans, late in the day, stuck around to cheer on the slowpokes like me. The pasta dinner and expo were wonderful. Thanks also to the El Paso County rescue team and I hope they didn't get too much business. The views from high up above the treeline are spectacular: Colorado is one of our most scenic states. I also highly recommend a massage from the local massage school. I got one before and after the race and they both helped.
G. K. from northeast TN (8/22/2012) "You can do it" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Pikes Peak Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Nothing else quite compares. When you reach a stage in your marathoning where finishing time isn't such a big deal but a great experience is, then 'run' this race. I experienced the joy and exuberance at the finish line that I hadn't felt in a very long time. Other than a little bit of running in town at 'only' a 5% grade and a section for a couple of miles at 9,500 ft, you cant run the first half unless you are a trail running elite. There are too many people in the Conga line and impact of grade and altitude is beyond description. Even with that little bit of running, I got to the top in 4:40, almost 2 hours in advance of the cut off. Few in the 2012 race were going to miss the 6:30 cut-off at the top. We had perfect racing weather, which probably helped. Getting through the tree line and seeing the tiny heads bobbing along the trail far, far above me was the most beautiful and most depressing site I have ever seen in 37 marathons. The best parts, non-scenery division, were the trail volunteers/rescue and the people in town as you approached the finish. Both groups were wildly energetic and enthusiastic. I especially liked the kazoo band that played at 13,000 ft. They even played 'Rocky Top!' My only quibbles: -I get it that the race team has to be intense when it comes to runner safety, but the race website seemed overboard on the downer side. So much negativity. I think you can be serious about the safety issues of mountain running while still showing the joyousness that everyone on the course showed to me during the race. -'Shame on you' to every runner who was so self-absorbed that they dropped a gel packet or cup on the trail, making the job harder for the race organizers who had to cover the entire trail to pick up after us. The race could lose its permit with the Park Service, plus the aid stations were only 2 miles apart. There's no reason for not holding onto ones trash.

Become a better runner

Marathon Details - Pikes Peak Marathon