Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Zach Van Meter #760 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Gains and Strong Finish in High Altitude Ascent Zach Van Meter completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with an impressive elapsed time of 4:51:49 over 13.36 miles, finishing 900th out of 2049 participants. His overall pace was 21:50 per mile, and he showed remarkable improvement from his starting position of 1514th. Particularly noteworthy is the rapid climb between the start and Hydro Street, moving from 1514th to 938th place overall. His performance in the middle sections showcased a consistent pace as he maintained his top 100 position in the O30-34 division through significant elevation gains. In the final miles above the treeline, as the elevation reached over 12,000 feet, Zach finished strong by maintaining consistent split times. Starting the last mile-to-go mark in 822nd, he closed out the race with determination, concluding his run at an altitude of 14,061 feet. His ability to handle the vast elevation gain while climbing positions shows there’s a potential for further development in achieving even faster split times, especially through the mid-race segments.