Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Josh Gunkel #1936 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Ascent to a Record Finish Josh Gunkel completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon with an elapsed time of 5:33:41 over 13.36 miles. His average pace was 24:58 min/mile. Demonstrating strategic pacing, Josh improved his position from the starting line, rising from 1591st to 1266th overall among 2049 participants. In his age division, 40-44, he moved from 131st at the start to 114th by the finish line. Notably, Josh's performance varied with elevation gains and the steepness of the trail. He started strong with an impressive 10:42 min/mile pace at Ruxton but experienced increasing challenges as he climbed. The splits reveal a strategic push between the 6th mile at Barr Camp and the 12th mile, where he initially faced a pace as slow as 47:51 min/mile at Bottomless Pit. Continued focus on uphill pace distribution could enhance performance in future high-altitude races. Keep up the solid work, Josh!