Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Andrew Smith #1950 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Ascent with Room for Optimization Andrew completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent, a challenging Half Marathon, in a time of 4:54:28 at an average pace of 22:02 min/mile. Starting strong with a quick pace of 9:33 min/mile by the Ruxton checkpoint, he placed 773rd overall from 2049 participants at that early stage. By the Top of W's, Andrew faced tougher terrain and elevation, impacting his pace to 20:55 min/mile. He steadily climbed through the ranks and maintained a consistent effort reaching 931st overall at the finish. In the final stretches above the treeline, the challenging elevation gain became evident through paces of 28:29, 30:17, and 33:22 min/mile, reflecting both the difficulty of the terrain and progressive fatigue. Placing 659th in the men's category and 110th in his division, there are opportunities for pacing strategy adjustments in subsequent races. Adapting early pacing given the course's incline may enhance endurance and performance in future high-altitude environments.