Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: John McDonough #809 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Mid-Race Surge and Strong Finish John McDonough tackled the demanding ascent, completing the 13.36-mile course in 4:51:25 with an overall pace of 21:48 min/mile. Notably, John improved his standing after the initial 0.43 miles, moving from 1126th to 774th overall. Between the "Ruxton" and "Hydro Street" splits, his pace was maintained at a competitive 9:33 and 11:49 min/mile, respectively, raising his division position in the earlier stages. As the elevations increased, John demonstrated resilience, navigating 11 steep splits that showed an increase in split pace due to the severe altitude changes. His split time of 17:46 for the final 0.53 miles displayed grit, finishing strong despite the 14000+ foot altitude. Ending in the top 44% of total participants, John made a commendable leap from 1126th at the start to 894th at the finish, with 45 positions gained on the final approach from "1.5 Miles To Go" to "Finish." His performance serves as a solid benchmark for future progress.