Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Sunshine Vanderboom #1613 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Solid Consistency on the Ascent Sunshine Vanderboom maintained a steady pace throughout the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent despite the increased challenges of rising elevation and fatigue. Starting strong, she clocked an initial split pace of 11:22 min/mile over the first 0.43 miles. By the 3.2-mile mark at "Top of W's," her pace adjusted to 22:17 min/mile. Despite a progressively slower pace as altitudes exceeded 10,000 feet, her performance in the middle stages showed consistent pacing advantages, such as a 17:14 min/mile split pace at "Barr Camp" over a 1.86-mile distance. The final three miles, notably above the tree line, reflected typical difficulties of high altitude. Sunshine's performance from "2.5 Miles To Go" to the finish showed incremental slowing, with her final split completed at a 39:58 min/mile pace. Her overall completion time of 6:07:14 is commendable. For future races, focusing on pacing practice at higher elevations as well as steeper inclines could benefit her overall performance.