Pikes Peak Ascent
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Pikes Peak Ascent
The Pikes Peak Ascent is a 13.3 mile running event that moves from Manitou Springs, Colorado, to the summit of Pikes Peak at an elevation of 14,115 feet. Participants face a vertical climb of 7,800 feet, primarily following the historic Barr Trail. The course begins in downtown Manitou Springs with 1.5 miles of road before transitioning to the trail.
The route features an average grade of 11%. It passes through pine and aspen forests and eventually climbs above the tree line, offering alpine views as runners approach the summit. There are no qualification requirements for race registration; however, runners may supply previous race results to determine their starting wave placement.
Starting waves are organized by estimated ascent times. The first wave includes the top 90 men and top 90 women based on their submitted data. Wave placements can be determined using results from:
- Previous Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon finishes within the past four years.
- Sanctioned events such as road half marathons (under 3:00:00) or marathons (under 6:30:00).
- Specific trail races or ultras that meet elevation or distance criteria.
- A self-timed outdoor run of at least 10 miles recorded with a GPS device.
Participants must be at least 16 years old on race day. Registration typically opens in early March with tiered pricing. The event operates as a permittee of the Pike National Forest, and entry limits are established by the Forest Service. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
