Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Blake Gruver #847 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistently Managing Altitude Challenges Blake Gruver completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon with an elapsed time of 4:11:37, averaging an 18:50 min/mile pace over 13.36 miles. The elevation gain from approximately 6303 to 14061 feet was tackled with strategic momentum. At Ruxton, Gruver showed an impressive start with an 8:34 min/mile pace, demonstrating a strong early position of 420th overall. As challenges increased and the elevation rose, the pace began to adjust, reaching a 24:38 min/mile pace by the 2.5 miles to go marker. A notable highlight was Gruver's significant leap in position at "1.5 Miles To Go," moving from 432nd to 219th overall, showing resilience and tenacity even as the elevation exceeded 13,024 feet. While the final stages above tree line induced a slower pace, maintaining progress in such conditions reflects a robust endurance strategy. Focusing on maintaining pace consistency in future altitude segments could lead to efficiency improvements.