Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Aaron Espinoza #724 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Endurance Under Pressure Amidst High Altitudes Aaron Espinoza, a 49-year-old runner from Colorado Springs, tackled the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with an elapsed time of 4:38:10 over a 13.36-mile course. This year, his pace was 20:49 min/mile, compared to 19:30 min/mile in the previous race. Despite a slower overall time, Aaron maintained consistent efforts as the course elevation increased from 6,303 to 14,061 feet. He finished 738th overall out of 2,049 participants and achieved 66th in his age division. Reviewing the split times, Aaron's pace adjusted as he approached critical points. Notably, his splits at the "0.5 Miles To Go" (30:21 min/mile) and "Finish" (30:10 min/mile) indicate resilience and consistent pacing in the toughest sections. Improvements might focus on the steepest sections post-A-Frame, where Aaron's pace dropped to around 31:10 min/mile at "2 Miles To Go." Fine-tuning his strategy in these areas could enhance his future performance.