Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Mindy Simonson #1890 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Climb Despite Challenging Altitude Mindy Simonson, a 44-year-old runner from Aurora, CO, completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon with an elapsed time of 7:03:18, maintaining a steady overall placement throughout, finishing 1632nd out of 2049 participants. Notably, Mindy held a strong initial pace, starting at 11:27 min/mile at Ruxton, and showing resilience as the course elevation increased. Her pace adjusted gradually, culminating in a challenging final split pace of 59:05 min/mile at the finish at 14,061 feet. Mindy's ascent through varied elevations – starting at 6,303 feet and finishing at over 14,000 feet – saw her progress in the female 40-44 division, where she finished 97th. A mid-point highlight at Barr Camp displayed endurance, where her pace improved to 18:38 min/mile. As the altitude increased, slowing was expected; her consistent pacing strategy was prudent and demonstrated her preparation for the race's challenges. For further improvement, focus could be placed on hill training to better manage elevation changes.