Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Tim Benson #2052 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Effort with Positive Gains During Tough Splits Tim Benson completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon in 4:51:18, tackling an elevation climb from 6,303 feet to 14,061 feet. Throughout the race, Tim maintained an elapsed pace of 21:48 min/mile over the 13.36-mile distance, overcoming the altitude and challenging terrain. He started strong, maintaining a 3:48 split for the first 0.43 miles, clocking an impressive pace of 8:50. This strong start positioned him well, ranking him 168th overall initially. Notably, Tim managed to improve his standing mid-race, especially evident at the mile markers from "Bottomless Pit" (mile 8.77) to "1 Mile To Go" (mile 12.31), where he realigned his pace from 28:49 to 30:35 min/mile. Within his division, despite fatigue, Tim maintained a strong finish, ranking 65th in O25-29. Focusing on pacing strategies for such gradual elevation gains might enhance future performances. Retraining intervals above 11,000 feet could strengthen endurance and pacing under similar conditions.