Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Heather Fitzler #1284 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

**Consistent Progress Despite Increasing Altitude** Heather Fitzler completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon in 6:01:23. Starting at 6,300 feet and climbing to over 14,000 feet, her average pace was 27:03 min/mile, positioning her 1452nd overall out of 2049 participants. Within her division (F40-44), Heather ranked 82nd. Notably, she gained positions in the early stages, improving from 1266th at the start to 1187th by the Ruxton checkpoint. Throughout the race, Heather experienced expected slowdowns as she ascended, with noticeable increases in split times after Bottomless Pit at 10,819 feet. Despite the challenges, she maintained a steady effort, notably sustaining her pace well up to the Barr Camp marker with a split pace of 17:07 min/mile. While the final miles presented significant elevation and difficulty, Heather navigated them with determination, demonstrating strong pacing skills under difficult conditions. Small gains were observed in her gender division, indicating potential areas for specific training focus in future events.