Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Matthew Starks #1109 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Resilient Effort on the Ascent Matthew Starks tackled the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with determination, completing the uphill half marathon in 4:30:17. Starting strong, he began at an elevation of 6303 feet and steadily progressed, navigating through various checkpoints with a notable improvement at Hydro Street with a pace of 10:07 min/mile. However, the rising altitude seemed to have an impact, evidenced by a consistent increase in split pace times, peaking at 31:21 min/mile on the final leg. This indicated the effect of the steep climbs and thinning air, particularly above the tree line. Reaching the summit at 14,061 feet, Starks showed commendable perseverance. From Barr Camp onward, split paces ranged from 17:43 to 32:04 min/mile. While maintaining a steady effort, considering training strategies that focus on high-altitude adaptations and steep inclines could enhance future performances. His overall placement of 656th among 2049 participants reflects a solid completion in a challenging competitive field.