Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Frank Kunkel #175 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Performance with Notable Improvement Frank Kunkel, a 76-year-old runner from Dillon, CO, demonstrated persistence and consistency at the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon. Covering the challenging 13.36-mile course in 4:45:33, Frank achieved a pace of 21:22 min/mile. Not only did he complete the course as the top finisher in his division (O75-79), but he also notably improved his elapsed time by over six minutes compared to his previous race at the 2024 Pikes Peak Ascent. Frank maintained a solid start, with consistent paces through the initial miles, peaking at Ruxton with a strong 10:57 min/mile. As he progressed above the tree line, his pace adjusted due to increasing elevation, particularly in the final 5K segment, which ranged from 28:23 to 31:31 min/mile. A focus on increasing split efficiency in the final segment could further enhance future performance. His resilience and steady improvement are commendable, indicating an impressive mastery of race strategy.