2020 Pikes Peak Marathon Winner Brittany Charboneau sets runDisney 'Dopey Challenge' record!1/13/2022
Brandon StapanowichManitou Springs resident and 4:36 Pikes Peak Marathoner Manitou Springs, Colorado just celebrated its first appreciable snow of the season. The later than usual arrival has meant unseasonably warm weather and dry trails to this point. But the next months will hopefully bring more of Mother Nature’s winter confetti. I’ve found that this time of year can present a motivational dichotomy when it comes to training. On one hand, the turning of the year brings along the excitement of planning and signing up for new races or athletic feats to accomplish. The allure of an idea or potential adventure for the year ahead is excitingly overwhelming. At the same time, as you wake from your day dreaming and glance out the window, the shorter days and single digit temperatures are objectively and concretely confronting you, calling you back down from that idealist realm. Sure those big “A” races are undoubtedly going to be one of the highlights of the year, but they’re months away and the temptation to skip a workout and to fall out of routine can be enticing. A missed run here or there this far out surely can’t jeopardize any race fitness, we reason. And while it is true that taking a few extra rest days isn’t a bad thing, especially if you’re experiencing additional stress and your body needs to allocate more resources to recovery, I’ve found that maintaining some level of consistency to be a worthwhile practice in mitigating injury and optimizing my sense of wellbeing. Fortunately, there are some simple solutions that I’ve found help me counteract the urge of dormancy. One of which is to identify smaller objectives. If that big race you have in mind for the year is so far out, you can’t even see it on the horizon, consider bringing the horizon closer. This could be in the form of smaller local races to keep you engaged in your training and to help prepare you for a later main-focus event. Alternatively, establishing a monthly challenge can serve in place of a smaller race and still keep you honest with staying active. In 2012, I committed to once a month trips up and down Pikes Peak which gave me at least one long day effort a month to look forward to. This motivated me to not get too removed from the hard earned fitness that I’d acquired over the previous fall. Additionally, while carrying extra layers and gear made the miles pass by slower, working harder with each step meant that I was slowly building strength for the leaner racing months ahead. Another advantage that comes with winter training for summer races so far into the future is the greater degree of flexibility. There should be less emphasis specificity and more opportunity for freedom with what one considers training. From my perspective, the “WHAT” I’m doing in winter training isn’t as important as simply that I’m “DOING.” I say this not to advocate for copious amounts of ill planned running volume but more as an argument for being active while doing the things that fill your motivational bucket. Winter can be a great time to explore other supplemental pursuits like hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing while still challenging your muscular endurance and aerobic fitness. Even sledding can be a sneaky way to incorporate some uphill interval work as you lug your toboggan up a snowy slope, scream down the hill, and repeat. Finally, the longer shadows and muffled sounds of winter can offer a unique perspective on the trails you may know by their summer personalities. It’s an ideal opportunity to either slow down or to take moments to pause mid-run and observe things as they are, not necessarily as you remember them. For this reason, a camera is often one of my favorite pieces of running gear because it encourages me to be more aware of my surroundings. Concern with mileage or pace can yield, or at the very least share its importance with witnessing the beauty around you. Maybe you still chase CR’s, but instead of “Course Records,” it’s “Creative Ruminations" that you’re pursuing when you’re out on the trails. If not a camera, perhaps you choose to journal or write a poem about the run after returning home. Whatever your chosen modality, I find winter to be an ideal time to embrace introspection and see what role gratitude and creativity can have in your training. Seasonal changes are a predictable part of the natural world and should be reflected in our training. While high intensity efforts year round can lead to stagnation, burnout, or injury, too far of a departure from an athlete’s routine can have similarly negative effects in the form of deconditioning and lethargy. I encourage you to take winter as an opportunity to shift rather than stop. To do what you need to make the winter training entertaining. Work at Barr Camp - For those of us who have run the Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon, or who have spent hours training or hiking Barr Trail, we know and appreciate the value of Barr Camp and its caretakers. Perhaps you've used Barr Camp as a turn around point, a rest area along the way to your destination, or even a camp area for an overnight adventure on Pikes Peak. No matter what the purpose of the visit, so many of us have benefited from resting on a bench, use of a restroom, an early morning pancake, and great conversation with the caretakers and other visitors at the camp. No doubt if you have spent any time at Barr Camp, you've met the caretakers and have a true appreciation for all that they do on a daily basis. Those caretakers are a critical piece of our experience at Barr Camp and enjoyment of Pikes Peak. But did you know Barr Camp is now looking for new caretakers? We're taking the opportunity to help spread the word that Barr Camp is hiring! Do you know someone that would love the experience of living and working on Pikes Peak? See the information below and pass it along! Barr Camp is hiring a part time or full-time seasonal Caretaker with possible consideration for full-time. Single and couples invited to apply. This position involves living remotely at Barr Camp. Great customer service and handy-person skills required. Must be able to hike 6.2 miles up Pikes Peak and perform physical tasks at 10,200 ft. elevation. Go to barrcamp.com for information about Barr Camp. If interested, email a short bio and a request for additional information to [email protected] and [email protected] 2021 USATF MUT RUNNERS OF THE YEAR STACKED WITH PIKES PEAK VETERAN RUNNERS - The November 29 article in trailrunner.com by Richard Bolt, highlights the 2021 USATF MUT Runners of the Year. Among the winners are 4x Pikes Peak Ascent Winner - Joe Gray, 3x Pikes Peak Marathon runner - Max King, and 1x Pikes Peak Marathon Runner and 2nd place female finisher - Kasie Enman. Also noteworthy are these nominees who are Pikes Peak winning and veteran runners as well - Allie McCaughlin, Courtney Dauwalter, Preston Johnson, Adam Peterman, David Sinclair, Darren Thomas, Elizabeth Claflin, Kelly Mortenson, Mark Tatum and Chris Grauch. To see the complete list of nominees, go to, https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/murphy-gray-enman-and-king-voted-2021-usatf-mut-runners-of-the-year/?fbclid=IwAR3ZxcAy8gNOrTolUxwdhXaPKWyFRV93R-lNkmi7470anFbr9NSC5fltQmg. Adding to his MUT Runner of the Year accomplishment, Joe Gray was also named the XTERRA Trail Running World Champion! Go to trailrunner.com/trail-news/murphy-and-gray-crowned-xterra-trail-running-world-champions/ to see the complete article. In addition to conquering America's Mountain, we know Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathoners to do many other great things, congratulations to all! Richard Bolt - trailrunning.com, American Trail Running AssociationPress release from USA Track & Field’s Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Council. Based in Indianapolis, USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. The USA Track & Field Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Running Council of long distance running has named the 2021 USATF MUT Runners of the Year. Thirty-seven talented MUT runners from twenty different U.S. states received nominations. After reviewing international and national race results, fifteen MUT executive committee members, made up of elite athletes, coaches, administrators and race directors from a dozen USATF Associations, cast ballots for this year’s awards. The following individuals will be recognized at the USATF Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida this weekend. The 2021 USATF MUT Runners of the Year are: Open Male Joseph Gray (Colorado Springs, CO). A previous winner of multiple USATF Mountain Runner of the Year awards, Joseph’s 2021 accomplishments include winning the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships and USATF Mountain Running Championships. He also won the Broken Arrow Skyrace 23K, one of only two WMRA World Cup races held in the United States. Joseph also finished on the top step of the podium at the Pikes Peak Ascent and Cirque Series Arapahoe Basin races. As the defending (2019) World Mountain Running Champion and winner of the Gnar Gnar race this past August, Joseph had also qualified to compete at the first ever World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand before the event was postponed. Open Female Grayson Murphy (Bozeman, MT). Grayson was named 2019 USATF Mountain Runner of the Year after winning the World Mountain Running Championship and USATF Mountain Running Championship in that same year. While this year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championship was postponed, Grayson did successfully defend her USATF Mountain Running Championship title at the Gnar Gnar race in Oregon. She also travelled to Europe to compete in several WMRA World Cup races where she won Spain’s Canfranc-Canfranc race in course record time and won Italy’s historic Trofeo Nasego race. Grayson also finished 2nd at the Vertical Nasego VK behind 6-time World Mountain Running Champion and uphill specialist Andrea Myer. Not content with just mountain and trail events, Grayson raced the USATF Olympic Trials 3000m steeplechase in a time of 9:25.37 – a discipline where she’s currently ranked 36th in the world. She also finished 22nd at the USATF 5K Road Championships in a time of 15:25. Masters Male Max King (Bend, OR). Max stormed onto the mountain and trail running scene back in 2008 winning the XTERRA Trail Run National Championships in his hometown. He went on to race the 2010 World Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia helping the U.S. men’s team earn a silver medal. In 2011 Max won the World Mountain Running Championships followed in 2014 by a victory at the IAU 100 km Road World Championships. After becoming a master last year, Max has not slowed down. In 2021 he finished 2nd at the USATF Mountain Running Championships and earned a spot on the U.S. team for the first ever World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand. He was also first master and 2nd overall at the USATF Trail Marathon Championships in Moab. Max finished 5th at the Broken Arrow Skyrace 23K (WMRA World Cup) where he was top master by over 15 minutes and finished 2nd at the Canyons Endurance Runs 100K earning a Western States 100 Golden Ticket. Masters Female Kasie Enman (Huntington, VT). Kasie finished 11th at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials-Marathon before breaking onto the national mountain and trail running scene in 2009 when she earned a spot on her first US Mountain Running Team. In 2011 she gained global recognition as the first ever U.S. woman to win the prestigious World Mountain Running Championships. Over the next decade Kasie would go on to represent the U.S. at the World Mountain Running Championships, World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships and Trail World Championships – the only U.S. woman to compete in all three world championships. In 2021 Kasie finished 4th overall and first master at the USATF 50K Trail Championships, a race she won back in 2018. 2021 marks the first time that all four American winners of the World Mountain Running Championships in the past decade have also won USATF MUT’s Runner of the Year in the same year. Max and Kasie earned their first world championships when the event was held in Tirana, Albania in 2011. Grayson earned her world championship at the 2019 event in Argentina. Joseph won his first world championship in Bulgaria in 2016 and his second at the 2019 event in Argentina. USATF MUT Council chairperson Nancy Hobbs said, “There were many outstanding mountain, ultra, and trail performances this year to recognize in the USATF MUT runners of the year. Congratulations to all the nominees and to the winners in all four categories.” Athletes nominated for MUT Runner of the Year and worthy of mention include Camille Herron, Courtney Dauwalter, Randi Burnett, Rachel (Johnson) Tomajczyk, Allie McLaughlin, Kimber Mattox, Stefani Flippin, Elizabeth Northern and Daniella Moreno for open female. Jim Walmsley, Preston Johnson, Adam Peterman, David Sinclair, Darren Thomas, Zach Bitter and Rajpaul Pannu for open male. Kathy Dormer, Diane Hankee, Elizabeth Claflin, Marisa Lizak, Sarah Barber, Liza Howard and Pamela Chapman-Markle for master female. Jonah Backstrom, Gene Dykes, Kelly Mortenson, Paulo Amaral, Jacob Jackson, Bob Hearn, Olivier LeBlond, Mark Tatum, Chris Grauch and Rich Hanna for masters male. An explanation of USATF MUT award categories and nominations:
Cloud-Runner (Fred Maas)12 Time Pikes Peak Runner - Santa Fe, NM The last notes of America the Beautiful lingered inside my head as I dared one glance up at the peak 8,000 feet and fourteen miles above. We stood in pre-dawn darkness with the peak brightly lit in the sunrise with most of a moon setting behind it. It is the only look upward I would dare until I reached the top. It was 2005, the 50th annual Ultimate Challenge run up Pikes Peak. We began the run up main straight in Manitou Springs with hoots of our determination, and cheers from friends, relatives, and towns’ people proud of their runners lining the sidewalks. I thought about the 25th annual which I had also run in 1980. The run was much smaller then and little known. I had only found out about it from an ad in the relatively new Runners’ World magazine, though at that time I had already been running for twenty years. You could sign up ahead of time, or you could just show up and sign up at the run. Even then, there were some 800 avid participants of whom about 250 ran up and down, the rest just the ascent. Researchers from the U.S. Army were at the starting line that day seeking volunteers to participate in some sort of a study. I asked them what they were doing. They answered, “you have children as young as 12 and a grandfather who is 76 running to over 14,000 feet. We put a pack on the backs of fit young twenty-year-olds and most can’t make it over an 11,000 foot pass. We want to find out why!” Looking over their questionnaire I said, “you are asking the wrong questions. Doesn’t much matter what my training was last week or last month. Matters what I was doing last year or two years ago!” In addition to the questionnaire about preparation, they also asked for blood and urine samples, took information like height and weight. The run up and down was for me an epic effort. The year before I had done the Ascent, so I had some idea of what I was in for. After turning at the top and starting down, the euphoric runner’s high settled in. I felt strong and excited, and I could see out forever. I wound up and ran down too fast. It felt so effortless. The runners still ascending were so respectful, I had to hurdle one who was hunkered down in a boulder slot where there was no room to pass. Uh-ohh. Before I reached tree line and A-Frame aid station, my quads began talking back, “where do you think you’re going so fast?” I backed off on speed, and settled into a more sustainable descent. I was pretty darned spent by the time I reached the finish. The Army Docs were there waiting. The medical folks looked at me quizzically. “You have lost 9 pounds and your body temperature is 94. You should be laying on the ground and hypothermic?” I said, “you’re right. Where can I get a beer?” (They pointed to a nearby keg). Returning to the present, once again ascending the steep switchbacks of Barr Trail, I greet astonished hikers who may not have known of the run, standing aside to let this endless line of runners pass. The sun was on us now, and beginning to feel warm. My two sons, Dan and Bren, had gone on up ahead literally laughing and dancing, and hooting down to me from several switchbacks above. Weather forecast for this day was good. Clear, still, scattered mountain thunderstorms in the afternoon. Even at 60 years of age, I expected to finish safely before noon. I met Steve Gachupin after the 1981 Run. He was congratulating my 13 year old son, Dan. He said, “I see you won the 15 and under age group.” Dan answered, “thank you.” Steve went on, “I see you set the age record.” Dan straightened up a bit, and replied, “why yes. Yes, I did.” Steve finished, “I used to hold that record.” Staring at Dan, he teased, “I held ALL the records.” Steve, an Indian from Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico, had won the Pikes Peak Marathon 6 times in a row for which he now carries the knick-name, King of the Mountain. He taught me to pay homage to the Mountain. He taught me to smear mud from the mountain on my legs at No Name Creek as he had always done, an act of respect to “Mother Earth.” Steve was the honorary starter of the Race this day in 2005. Onward through the next section of the ascent. Roots, rocks, and trees force a meandering course and constant concentration. The heart beats, the lungs breathe, the feet step, it’s about the rhythm, always the rhythm, the real runner associates, never disassociates. Next aid station is Barr Camp. The support workers are partying, entertaining, as well as feeding and watering us. They are competing for “best aid station” award/reward. Their creativity adds momentary diversion and joy injected into the seemingly impossible ascent. We can already hear the loud speaker from the peak many miles above. As the music and joy of Barr Camp fade behind the not so faint loud speaker from the peak above is announcing the winner of the Ascent. I have yet a long way to go. The run through pines and then firs between Barr and A-Frame aid stations seems much longer than five miles. As the trees get shorter, a nod to the altitude, the trail gets steeper, rockier, demanding ever more focus. Water for the A-Frame Aid station is delivered by a two mile long hose down the hill. Amazing really. In fact, everything about the support for this run is amazing. Well thought out and tested now across so many decades. The aid workers here camped the night and have looked into the eyes of countless athletes some of whom are spent beyond what they ever thought they could handle. The trees disappear above A-Frame. Too high. Now it is boulders and rocks, not roots and trees, that the runner is wending past. It is two miles to the next aid at Cirque. Altitude is now above 12,000 feet. At this altitude the partial pressure of oxygen in blood is higher than the partial pressure of oxygen in the air. The only way you can derive oxygen is by the affinity of hemoglobin to snatch it out of the air. The blood of acclimated athletes does this better than those who have not spent time up here. And for me, running has slowed to a hard paced walk while trying not to stumble on the rocks. My vision is riveted on the ground, every foot plant precisely measured. But something has changed. Why does everything look so different? The color of the ground has changed, changed from a bright white light to a subdued (and ominous) red. I risk a glance up. HOLY !!!! Big black billowing clouds were boiling over the peak, obscuring the sun. Suddenly a flash of lightning and the first clap of thunder. The predicted scattered afternoon thunderstorm had arrived early and right over us! Everyone seemed to get the message at once, and everyone’s efforts redoubled. The only thing, and I mean this sincerely, the only thing to do was to get up top as soon as you can! I pulled out my 3 ounce wind-breaker and put it on, scant, but offered some soon to be needed protection. I reached and turned and passed Cirque Aid station without a glance or a drink. Up! Get UP! More lightning, more thunder, then the rain began, then slashing hail. Yes, all hail had broken loose! Hail that stung my bare legs (and later learned actually bruised the legs of many of the fairer sex), seemed to try to push me down. From beneath a boulder a shorts and singlet clad runner called out, “shouldn’t we get under a boulder in a lightning storm?” (Actually, you shouldn’t, particularly along a ridge). “You needn’t worry about THAT lightning,” I called to him, “it’s BELOW us! RUN FOR IT!” More breathless than I had ever been, and barely able to see through the driving rain and hail, I came to an intrepid lady in an orange poncho sitting on a rock, seemingly oblivious to the slashing thrashing hail. “You have reached the Fifteen Golden Stairs.” “I could KISS you,” I called to her above the storm. The workers for this Run are absolutely as dedicated as the runners themselves. Climbing the slippery ice slicked boulders, there in the mist finally was the Finish banner, my name being called on the loud speaker, and then from the sideline. My wonderful, beautiful wife, Debby, was there, well protected in storm gear, and sons Dan and Bren, we three in little more than running shorts, and lashed by the wind and the ice. Hypothermia would soon set in if we didn’t find shelter quickly. We went to the gift shop, but it was packed, I mean, PACKED with the bodies of runners who had finished before us. With two or three more finishing every minute, the road down closed to traffic until the storm stopped and a snow plow could clear it, we had to find something else and fast. There was another building. We went to it and knocked on the door. The guardian at the door said to us, “you can only come in if you have a medical emergency.” I looked at him grimly and said, “you might let us in to stand by the wall now, OR, ten minutes from now you will let us in anyway but as medical emergencies.” He got the point, “OK, go stand against that wall,” which we did. (This was the first time in the 50 years of the race such dire conditions took place. Every year since, the Race places big tents on top… just in case. Sure enough an even worse condition occurred in 2008, but that is another story.) The storm passed in half an hour. The sun came out, the hail and snow was inches deep and began to sublimate into steam. Tourist cars lined up to go down the road, waiting for the snow plow. A policeman stood guard at the head of the line. There were waiting busses for the runners, but we begged a ride in a tourist’s car, and crowded into the back of an SUV. The driver was in agony, his head in hands, from sea level, he had a nasty altitude headache. He grumbled, “you guys CHOSE to RUN up this mountain?” I could see his point. We were crammed into the back of the SUV like sardines. I decided that this would be better for everyone if there was one less person. My sons stayed with my wife safely and warmly in the back of the now less crowded car. I decided to finish the day as I had started it, on the run. I walked over to the policeman who was stopping everyone from going down, waiting for the plow to clear the road. The policeman faced one way then another, I kept changing directions with him, but always behind him. When he turned and faced the lined up waiting cars, I turned the other way and began to run. Not that there was anything wrong with that. Running down, on the snow, but in the sun, and mostly alone, (a few others were doing the same), it was like being released from prison. Down through the mists, vistas of distant snowy peaks, a herd of bighorn sheep crossed road just as I ran by. It was three miles down the road to the parking lot where cars were left to take the bus to the top. The plow went past as I ran down, down with gloriously quick and lengthy strides each step sliding in the snow. By the time I reached the parking area, cars were also beginning to arrive from the peak. My family hopped out of the SUV where they had found shelter, and we were reunited. And just in time. Yet another very very black cloud was fast approaching. We got in our car, and made good use of AWD as the second storm of the afternoon enveloped us and kept us company most of the rest of the way down. Pikes Peak is indeed, the Ultimate Challenge. As a geologist might say, “don’t take it for granite.” Written by ~ Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent RunnersSince 1956, runners of Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent have been taking on the challenges of conquering America's Mountain. We have compiled many stories from the experiences and memories of our past runners. We hope you enjoy these stories from some of our Pikes Peak Pioneers. Michael Hauck
What did it feel like to run up Pikes Peak for the very first time and what year was that? My first Pikes Peak was in 1984 and I remember being very inspired by the mountain experience. Looking up at the summit from A Frame was overwhelming, and topping out on Pikes Peak was very emotional for me. What is your favorite memory of the Pikes Peak Ascent and/or Marathon? My most unforgettable memory is definitely the 2008 Blizzard Ascent and I always love the fans at the finishes. What keeps you returning year after year? I just can't get enough of the mountain. Living in the region, Pikes Peak is always calling me back. How has the Pikes Peak Marathon/Ascent shaped you into the runner you are today? The Pikes Peak races have given me confidence in myself to meet difficult challenges. I have also learned to respect my training. Do you feel like a pioneer of trail/mountain running? Not really... I am thankful that I was on the front edge of the trail running discipline though. 24th October 2021 – Faial Island, The Azores, PORTUGALPikes Peak Runners, Janelle Lincks and Darren Thomas win the GTNS 2021 Grand Final! After Salomon's Golden Trail National Series final stage, Colorado Springs runner, Darren Thomas won the GTNS 2021 Grand Final! Darren is an 8 time Pikes Peak Marathon veteran, taking 5th place overall in the 2021 PPM. At just 16 years old, he ran his first Pikes Peak in 2010, taking the 3rd place age group award in the Pikes Peak Ascent that year. 2021 Pikes Peak Ascent runner, Janelle Lincks of Thornton, CO was the overall female winner of the GTNS Grand Final. Janelle was 7th overall female and 2nd place age group in her first Pikes Peak Ascent this year. Here is Salomon's recap of the GTNS Grand Final: The longest stage was kept for last, and it was probably the most technical as well. This week’s final showdown in the Azores was always going to be epic, and it didn’t disappoint! The runners set off at 11:30 am (local time) in the hope of taming the sharp volcanic terrain, grassy slopes, and muddy forest single tracks on Faial Island. At the end of this journey: three Golden Tickets to be able to compete at the highest international level on 3 of the Golden Trail Championship 2022 races. Anna-Stinna wins today’s stage, Janelle wins overall She wanted it, and she went all out to get it! Anna-Stina Erkkilä (Team Salomon, Finlande) pushed her body through its limits in the last section to bring home the victory on the third and final stage of the GTNS 2021 Grand Final. "I felt really strong today, she beamed at the finish line. I’d already run a pretty similar stage last year in the Azores and I loved it! I adore these kinds of single tracks between the trees and the technical sections. I honestly didn’t think I’d win the last stage I just wanted to keep in the top 3, but I must admit I had great legs today. I knew Janelle was way too far ahead in the standings to be able to win overall. In the end, we did the whole race together and I won, I don’t know how, leaving her behind on the last uphill just before the end. So, there you have it, I’m qualified for 3 races in the GTC 2022! I’m so proud of myself! I don’t know yet which races I’ll choose, I need to think about which ones are best suited to me, but I can’t wait!" Janelle Lincks (USA) finished a few seconds behind the Finn. "I enjoyed the whole adventure these last three days, even though I feel completely drained. My legs are toast, I’m dead! Anna-Stinna was really strong today and Jael too. I’m very happy to win this final and qualify for 3 races next year. I’d really love to do Zegama! For the other two I’ll see but it’s really exciting to be able to compete against other runners on this type of race." Despite a 4th place on this final stage, Eleanor Davis (UK) succeeded in keeping her spot on the podium. "It’s the first time this week that I’ve suffered so much, she admits. I don’t think I ate enough, and I felt drained, I wasn’t hungry and at the end I was losing it a bit. But I also knew that I was ahead of the fourth, so I tried to relax and enjoy it. I’m really happy to qualify for next year. I’d love to do the Marathon du Mont-Blanc and Sierre-Zinal. Then, if there’s a race in the USA, I will probably go!" Abraham once again, and Darren was too strong! Abraham Hernandes (Mexico) was already impressive on the second stage on São Jorge, once again he showed his talent on Faial today by finishing more than 4 minutes ahead of his first pursuer. "I’m happy because I ran a great race and caught up a lot of time, but it was tough! My legs are toast from the successive days of running. At least I get my podium spot, which was my main goal because now I’m qualified for 3 races next year, it’s really fabulous for me and I’m thrilled!" Thanks to his second place Daniel Castillo Fernandez (C.A.A Marathon Crevillent, Spain) secures his qualification in the GTC 2022, by also finishing 2nd in the overall ranking. "It was a different race from the previous days with a combination of tough volcanic terrain and forest trails that were both fast and technical. I’m thrilled with this result because I want to keep improving and for that, to do international races with elite runners is fantastic! This is an amazing opportunity for me." Even though he finished third in today’s stage, Darren Thomas (Team Salomon, USA) had too much of lead over his competitors to be caught up in the overall ranking. Therefore, he wins the GTNS 2021 Grand Final. "It was a completely new experience for me to do a stage race and it wasn’t easy to manage. I knew I had to be strategic but when I saw Juan Carlos shoot off, I was a trifle scared. Fortunately for me, he blew up and I could catch up with him and confirm my first place overall. I’m really pleased with my qualification because this was my first ever race in Europe and next year, I would love to run the legendary races like Sierre-Zinal or Zegama and go up against the world’s best athletes." Stage 3 Results Men 1 – ABRAHAM HERNANDES (MEX): 03:10:56 2 – DANIEL CASTILLO FERNANDEZ (ESP – C.A.A MARATHON CREVILLENT): 03:15:00 3 – DARREN THOMAS (USA – SALOMON): 03:16:38 4 – MORITZ AUF DER HEIDE (GER – ADIDAS TERREX): 03:20:57 5 –JORDAN CLAY (GBR – FREEDOM RACING): 03:24:08 Women 1 – ANNA-STINNA ERKKILÄ (FIN – SALOMON): 03:47:22 2 – JANELLE LINCKS (USA): 03:47:42 3 – JAEL MORALES (MEX): 03:50:30 4 – ELEANOR DAVIS (GBR): 03:57:47 5 – KATARINA LOVRATOVA (SVK): 03:59:23 OVERALL RANKING Men 1 – DARREN THOMAS (USA – SALOMON): 08:34:27 2 – DANIEL CASTILLO FERNANDEZ (ESP – C.A.A MARATHON CREVILLENT): 08:38:47 3 – ABRAHAM HERNANDES (MEX): 08:39:33 4 – MORITZ AUF DER HEIDE (GER – ADIDAS TERREX): 08:42:35 5 – JUAN CARLOS CARERA (MEX – BUFF): 08:45:41 Women 1 – JANELLE LINCKS (USA): 10:02:12 2 – ANNA-STINNA ERKKILÄ (FIN – SALOMON): 10:06:11 3 – ELEANOR DAVIS (GBR): 10:18:10 4 – JAEL MORALES (MEX): 10:27:07 5 – KATARINA LOVRATOVA (SVK): 10:35:42 Check out the full race results here: https://resultados.stopandgo.pro/643/Live We know our local trail runners love their morning coffee, and we'd like to share with you, Solar Roast Coffee. Happy to have Solar Roast as a sponsor for Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent, they took great care of our early morning volunteers at the 2021 Ascent and Marathon! Enjoy a great cup of coffee at Solar Roast downtown after your next trail run! Coffee, Trail Run, Nap, Repeat. Here at Solar Roast Coffee we know that coffee and running pair perfectly together. Solar Roast Coffee are the inventors of the world’s only commercial solar-powered coffee roaster. Our solar aroma roasting process makes our coffees the richest and most flavorful beans you will ever brew. Using solar power allows us to roast with a gentle heat resulting in a lower temperature roast. We roast our coffee slow and low like a good BBQ! Before or after your trail running adventures, come check out our location in Colorado Springs at Tejon & Bijou and enjoy a great cup of coffee! Written by ~ Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent RunnersSince 1956, runners of Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent have been taking on the challenges of conquering America's Mountain. We have compiled many stories from the experiences and memories of our past runners. We hope you enjoy these stories from some of our Pikes Peak Pioneers. Lisa Goldsmith
What did it feel like to run up Pikes Peak for the first time and what year was that? In the spring of 1994 I impulsively quit my then 'career' as a professional cyclist and soon restarted my running life (I had been a runner/triathlete in the years prior to bike racing.) And, as a cyclist living at the Olympic Training Center in the early 90's I remember the adventure of winter hiking up to Barr Camp. I also recall 10 years prior as a college soccer player, standing on the soccer field of Colorado College and staring in awe at Pikes Peak; knowing and wondering when and HOW I would be back climbing Pikes Peak! My first PPA was 1994, I honestly don't recall how I felt on the mountain or much about the race, except that I ran a 3:04 and was in the top 10 which I thought was pretty cool. I did reflect that despite my complete absence of mountain running experience, my "cycling legs" are what powered me up in a decent time. I ran again in 1995 - shaving an entire 45 seconds off of my time and again making the top 10. 1995 - 3:03:30 - 2nd Place AG What was your favorite memory of the Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon? It has to be my Masters Record year, 2007. First, running through Barr Camp and hearing the official mumble something about "2nd place...", the guy I was with quickly asked a "fan" if there was a woman up ahead. The response was, "I think so, but it could be a guy......" Hmmm, well I decided to relax and stay focused on my goal of the Masters record, knowing I can't control who else is (maybe) out ahead. Then at A-Frame, my famous friend Buzz Burrell, let me know "Maria (Portilla) is 7 minutes ahead!" This made laugh... Like 'Ohhh, ok, I'm definitely in 2nd ... That's fine, just focus on my goal....' Then as soon as it was possible to be seen from above, I heard the VOICE.... "LIIIiiiSA GEEEEEeee!', the 8 x PPA winner & Legend, Scott Elliott, my Pikes Peak mentor, was yelling as though the voice of God, encouraging me up the mountain....it gave me chills and a welcome boost of support to forget about the diminutive, Peruvian Olympic marathoner Maria Portilla, and stay on point of my very personal goal. One of my all-time favorite days. 2007 - 2:42:44 - Master's Female Winner, 2nd Overall Female What keeps your returning year after year? I thrive and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of preparing myself to run up Pikes; the goal always, now, is to simply feel ready, competent and excited to be there. It's forever nostalgic and rewarding for me. How has Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon shaped you into the runner you are today? I think my experience and success on Pikes has enamored/tuned me into the joy of the power of the mountains.... As a bike racer, I always thrived on the uphill portions of races, and finding uphill mountain running to be a thing, was awesome!! And it lead me to the thrill of running for 2 U.S. World Mountain Running teams....I continue to find my sweet/happy spot in running when I am grinding UP something long and steep! Do you feel like a pioneer of trail/mountain running? At least somewhat I suppose. When I won this race at ages 40 & 41, I was asked what it was about being "this age" that seemed to give an advantage. I remember replying that maybe young talented, or really fast flat-landers, are uncomfortable with the feeling of working SO hard and moving SO (relatively) slowly! NOW, I am nearly certain, my 2 wins are the slowest winning times AND by the oldest winner in the Ascent in these 14+ years since, so perhaps 'they' heard and took that as a challenge?! Plus adding prize money will always bring out the speedsters! What advice would you give to runners racing their first Ascent or Marathon? *Don't try to "win" the first mile+ to the trail! *Don't panic about passing on the trail, there is always eventually room to pass. I mean don't ever put in a huge acceleration to pass! Bide time and ease past people as the trail allows. *Take in nutrition every :30-60 minutes. The last 3 miles are going to require an extraordinary amount of energy and to NOT be depleted will be your Key to having your best possible above tree line experience!!!!! *Embrace the 'pain & suffering' by staying within your own. Written by ~ Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent Runners
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Pikes Peak Marathon