Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Kirstan Vandersluis #1736 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Climb in the Peaks Kirstan Vandersluis demonstrated endurance and persistence across the 13.36-mile Pikes Peak Ascent. Finishing in 5:58:30 with an average pace of 26:50 min/mile, the race was marked by its significant elevation gain from 6,303 to 14,061 feet. Kirstan began strongly, ranking 421 in gender at the start. Early in the race, Kirstan faced a steep decline in placement at the Ruxton split, with a pace of 14:58. This large field may have made the initial miles more challenging. While the initial splits showed varying paces, Kirstan managed to push through, notably improving positioning during the "1.5 Miles To Go" stretch, advancing to gender place 515 before eventually crossing the finish line at 925. This indicates a particular focus on pacing in higher elevations. Late-race splits above 30:00 min/mile suggest a potential area to focus on for future improvement. Taking these aspects into account could enhance performance in subsequent races at high altitudes.