Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Maura Illing #459 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Effort with Opportunities for Strategic Pacing Maura Illing completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent in 4:14:10, covering the 13.36-mile course with an average pace of 19:01 min/mile. Compared to her previous performance in 2024, she slowed by 18:17. Her age group placement was 18th in the Female 30-34 division, highlighting consistency in maintaining a competitive standing. Maura had a noteworthy start, covering the first 0.43 miles at an impressive 8:59 min/mile pace. Her splits exhibit a varying pace, with strategic adjustments to the challenging terrain. Notable efforts include the 15:48 min/mile pace maintained between 4.48 and 6.05 miles. The elevation gained significantly impacted pacing in the final miles, with the pace slowing to 26:00 min/mile approaching the finish. To improve her time, a focus on endurance training and acclimatization for high-altitude running would be beneficial, along with experimenting with strategies to manage slowing paces over the course.