Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Pooja Kundu #1426 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Improved Pacing Despite Facing Higher Altitude Challenges Pooja Kundu tackled the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent with persistence, completing it in 5:30:27 at an average pace of 24:44 min/mile. Compared to her 2024 performance, where she finished in 5:18:58, Pooja experienced a slight increase in time. The course remains relentless, with a starting elevation of 6303 feet and a challenging rise to 14061 feet. This year, her overall position was 1238th, while she ranked 403rd in the female category and 74th in the F35-39 division. Analyzing Pooja's splits reveals a strong start with a pace of 9:33 min/mile at Ruxton but a notable slowdown across high-altitude sections. The split at 0.5 Miles To Go, with a pace of 34:36 min/mile, highlights where altitude had a significant impact. Focusing on maintaining momentum in these critical stretches could lead to an improved future performance. Pooja demonstrated commendable endurance and adaptability amid the high-altitude adversities.