Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Dante Birckenstaedt #603 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Strong Start, Consistent Effort Dante Birckenstaedt, 17, from Littleton, CO, completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent, a 13.36-mile race, in 4:32:42. Demonstrating impressive early momentum, Dante clocked 7:45 min/mile in the initial 0.43 miles at Ruxton and held slight declines in pace throughout the ascent. By reaching Hydro Street at 1.23 miles, he maintained a commendable 9:01 min/mile pace. As Dante advanced, the challenging terrain and high altitudes led to expected slowdowns. Notably at Barr Camp, with elevations exceeding 10,000 feet, his pace remained steady at 16:37 min/mile. Approaching the 11.41-mile mark, nearing the summit, his pacing naturally slowed to 29:09 min/mile due to increased elevation and fatigue. Crossing the finish at an elevation exceeding 14,000 feet, his final stretch pace was 31:43 min/mile. Though there was a gradual pacing decrease, improvement in late-race endurance could further optimize performance in high-altitude conditions.