Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Leah Kern #988 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Climb to 17th in Age Group Leah Kern, a 25-year-old from Seattle, demonstrated resilience during the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent. Completing the 13.36-mile course with an elapsed time of 4:21:16, she maintained a steady average pace of 19:33 per mile in an event where challenges mounted with altitude. Kern started strong, progressing from 1423rd overall at the start to 557th at the finish among 2049 participants, marking notable improvement over the course of the race. Kern's upward trajectory was evident across her splits, particularly as she advanced in her F25-29 division, finishing 17th. Her initial segments, like the transition from Ruxton to Hydro Street, saw significant rank gains. While the last three miles above the tree line slowed her pace to 24:22 – 25:47 per mile, her overall progression was commendable. Implementing strategies to handle the steepest sections could further enhance her performance in future high-altitude races.