Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Jayden Dirksen #335 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Jayden Conquers the Ascent with Determination Jayden Dirksen of Colorado Springs completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with an elapsed time of 3:53:28 over a distance of 13.36 miles, averaging a pace of 17:28 min/mile. Starting the race strong, Jayden achieved a swift split pace of 8:12 per mile at Ruxton in the initial stages. Despite the challenging climb and high elevation, Jayden maintained a steady position, finishing 12th in the Division O16-19 and 249th in the Open Gender category out of 2049 participants. Compared to previous performances, there was a notable shift in Jayden's pacing strategy. Last year, Jayden completed the same ascent in 3:35:17 with an average pace of 16:06 min/mile. The split from Barr Camp to A-Frame (17:37) and the final stretch (12:23) indicate areas to focus on for potential pacing improvements. Establishing a rhythm in portions between Bottomless Pit and the finish will be crucial for enhancing future performances. Remarkably, Jayden's resilience ensured a solid finish above the treeline.