Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Kevin Ponds #1122 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Effort Despite Elevation Increase Kevin Ponds completed the Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon with an elapsed time of 4:34:37, placing 706th overall among 2049 participants. Maintaining a pace of 20:33 min/mile, Kevin navigated the challenging elevation changes from 6,303 feet to over 14,000 feet. Notably, his performance highlighted a consistent effort as he climbed the elevation, moving from a pace of 11:08 min/mile to 31:36 min/mile by the finish line. Kevin began the race solidly, but his position varied along the route. Passing the Top of W's at a 17:56 min/mile pace improved his overall standing to 798th. The steepest sections saw a slowdown, his pace dropping to 30:32 min/mile by the "0.5 Miles To Go" mark. Evaluating split pacing indicates a steady but cautious approach on steeper inclines. Focusing on uphill strength training may help in maintaining a steadier pace in future high-altitude races.