Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Benjamin Mandelbaum #1161 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Steady Start, Navigated High Altitudes Benjamin Mandelbaum completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with an elapsed time of 5:11:09, covering the 13.36-mile challenging ascent at an average pace of 23:17 min/mile. He ranked 1085th overall out of 2049 participants, positioning 759th in the open gender category and 118th in the M30-34 division. Starting strong, he reached Ruxton with a noteworthy split pace of 9:12 min/mile. Throughout the ascent, Benjamin displayed consistent pacing. At lower elevations, his split pace ranged between 17:23 and 23:25 min/mile, reflective of strategic pacing management. However, the steep gradient and thin air above the tree line impacted his pace, with the final miles having split times exceeding 30 min/mile. Improvements may lie in strategizing pacing consistency for high-altitude segments and focus on maintaining momentum despite challenging altitude effects. His split elevation gain from start to finish was over 7700 feet, demonstrating considerable stamina and perseverance.