Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Chad Eckert #1533 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Gradual Pace Adjustment Key to Finishing Strong Chad Eckert completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent, covering 13.36 miles with an elapsed time of 5:55:05 and an average pace of 26:34 min/mile. Starting strong, Chad was initially positioned 494th at the start, progressing quickly to the Ruxton split with a notable 10:08 min/mile pace. However, the pace progressively adjusted as the elevation increased, correlating with atmospheric challenges, especially after the 10.29-mile mark where the highest split pace recorded at 35:42 min/mile. Chad steadily crossed significant elevations, peaking at 14,061 feet. Comparing to his previous year's performance at the same event, Chad's final time increased by 27 minutes. Nonetheless, his ability to tackle the steep ascents was evident, dropping only 8 places in the O40-44 division compared to last year. Key opportunity lies in the mid-race transitions before Barr Camp, where a noticeable pace drop was observed. Focused altitude training might enhance performance for subsequent races.