Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Vernie Pendley #1427 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Climb with Determined Finish Vernie Pendley tackled the challenging Pikes Peak Ascent with an elapsed time of 6:01:09 over the 13.36-mile course. At 55 years, Vernie made a strong start with a swift pace of 10:51 at Ruxton (0.43 miles), progressing through a remarkably steady pace around 22 minutes per mile from No Name Creek to Barr Camp. Vernie capitalized on pacing, limiting time hitting higher elevations, which was particularly noticeable moving from Bottomless Pit to the Finish. Noteworthy is the split at 1 Mile To Go, where the pace peaked at a demanding 38:42 per mile, influenced by the course’s increasing incline and altitude. Overall, Vernie’s performance demonstrated endurance, maintaining a consistent pace across splits despite the rigorous course conditions. The effort was evident in successfully finishing strong while managing the challenges of high altitude and fatigue in the final stages above tree line. Maintaining focus on pacing strategies could yield further progress in future events.