Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Mary Kate Schneider #2122 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Effort Despite High Altitude Challenges Mary Kate Schneider executed a steady performance in the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent, completing the half marathon in 5:34:16. She maintained a consistent pace despite the challenging course, ranking 423rd among female participants out of 2049 total participants. Starting strong, Mary Kate significantly improved from her starting position, moving up from 1481st overall to finish 1272nd overall. Her initial split at Ruxton reflected a pace of 10:00 min/mile, with a commendable climb through Hydro Street at a 13:35 min/mile pace. As anticipated, the final portions of the race, particularly above the tree line, posed a significant challenge. Splits slowed notably after reaching high altitudes, with the "Bottomless Pit" segment pace slowing to 42:09 min/mile. Despite gradual slowing, Mary Kate's determination saw her finish, ascending to an elevation of 14061 feet. Opportunities to enhance performance may include targeted training for the steep sections and specific altitude adaptation strategies to mitigate slowdowns in pace during the higher elevation sections.