Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Ashlee Whitehead #1539 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 with Strong Finishes in Challenging Conditions Ashlee Whitehead tackled the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with determination, completing the half marathon in 5:38:36. The 42-year-old from Waco, TX, faced a total elevation gain of over 8000 feet, demonstrating resilience throughout the challenging course. Starting strong, Ashlee initially placed 99th overall, 32nd among females, and 5th in her division at the beginning of her race. As the terrain became more demanding, her pace adapted, maintaining a steady rhythm despite the steep and high-altitude ascent. A notable performance was observed during the critical last three miles above the tree line, where Ashlee navigated an average split pace of over 35 minutes per mile. Remarkably, despite the challenging conditions, she managed to finish 1303rd overall and improved her placement to 443rd in the female category, securing 65th in the F40-44 division. Future focus on maintaining pace through early segments can complement her strong finishing strategy.