Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Chris Strouthopoulos #1993 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Climb in Challenging Terrain Chris Strouthopoulos, at age 48 from Colorado Springs, demonstrated determination on the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent, finishing with an elapsed time of 4:50:40 for the 13.36-mile distance. The overall ranking was 878th out of 2049 participants, with placements of 629th in the open gender category and 78th in the O45-49 division. The initial pace of 13:38 at Ruxton showed promise, but as the elevation increased, the final push to the summit revealed the expected demand, culminating in a 32:30 pace for the last segment at over 14,000 feet. A noteworthy aspect of Chris's performance was the sustained effort through steep altitude gains, particularly achieving a 13:00 pace between Barr Camp and the Bottomless Pit at 10,250 feet. Managing consistent pacing above tree line, despite the demanding conditions, indicates a well-handled strategy and tenacity. Future strategies could focus on maintaining momentum in such steep climbs to target improved division rankings.