Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Joe Kiechler #753 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Improvement and Strong Finish at High Elevation Joe Kiechler, 57, from Pasadena, CA, delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon. Joe completed the 13.36-mile trail in 3:46:51, which marked a significant improvement from his 2024 time of 4:23:37. Joe’s average pace accelerated from 19:43 min/mile last year to 16:58 min/mile in this event. Compared to his 514th overall place in 2024, he improved to 263rd place among 2049 participants, a notable leap in standings. Starting strong with an 8:04 min/mile pace at Ruxton, Joe maintained resilience in the challenging high-altitude conditions. After covering half the distance, his pace was maintained at 15:23 min/mile reaching Top of W's. As altitude increased further, he strategically slowed down but still managed to secure 6th place in his division by the finish. Focusing on maintaining a controlled pace between Bottomless Pit (19:17) and the Finish (23:44) could further refine his performances in future races.