Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Douglas Dirksen #987 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistency at High Altitude Douglas Dirksen participated in the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon, showcasing endurance over a course climbing from 6,300 feet to 14,000 feet. Douglas completed the race in 4:55:18, with an average pace of 22:06 min/mile. His performance placed him 940th overall, 667th in his gender category, and 84th in his age group (45-49). Compared to his 2024 results, there was a small increase in elapsed time and pace, indicating consistent performance in a challenging environment. Analyzing his splits, Douglas started strong with a 9:23 min/mile pace at Ruxton. As the elevation increased, his pace transitioned to 14:16 min/mile by the Hydro Street mark. The most significant drop in pace occurred at the higher elevations, reaching 32:58 min/mile for the final stretch. Focusing on high-altitude conditioning and maintaining a steady pace in the early miles could aid in lessening fatigue and improving overall performance in future races.