2023 Pikes Peak Ascent, September 16 - Pikes Peak Marathon, September 17 - 2023 Pikes Peak Ascent, September 16 - Pikes Peak Marathon, September 17
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Blog

Remembering Arlene, Our Trailblazer

3/23/2021

By Katie Benzel

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The Pikes Peak Marathon is sad to report the death of one of the great pioneers of trail running: Arlene Pieper Stine, the first woman to officially complete a marathon, who ran Pikes Peak in 1959. She died on February 11, 2021. Stine was a fixture at the race starting with the 50th anniversary of the Marathon in 2009, speaking at prerace Peak Busters meetings and appearing at the start line annually until it became too difficult for her to travel. She always had a friendly smile and an encouraging word for all who approached her. 

Her legacy will inspire generations of women to tackle their mountain, whatever that may be. She will be greatly missed.

For further reading about Arlene's remarkable achievement, we recommend these articles by WBUR, Runner's World, and The Gazette.
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​Arlene herself didn't even realize her finish was so remarkable until the Pikes Peak Marathon tracked her down in 2009. She had signed up for the race to promote the fitness studio she owned, took her 9-year-old daughter along, and didn't think twice about conquering the 14,115-foot peak that August day in 1959.

Days before the 60th annual Marathon in 2019, runners dressed in her signature white shorts, hat, and shirt (modeled after Arlene's favorite movie star, Marilyn Monroe) and summited Pikes Peak to commemorate her accomplishment.

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Fun Fact!

In 1972 Peter Strudwick did the Ascent in 4:20:29 and the Marathon in 7:02:28. What is so incredible about that you ask? Well, soon after his mother had caught rubella, commonly called German measles, Peter was born with legs that ended in stumps just past the ankles, a left arm that had only one thumb and a finger, and a right arm ending at the wrist.
When Zebulon Pike tried to ascend the mountain that would later be named after him he was turned back by the harsh weather. Many claim he said that no one would ever reach its summit. However, it is generally accepted that he meant on that day, under those conditions. The snow was waist deep and his men were not dressed for it and were out of food.
“Militant tobacco-hating physician” Dr. Arne Suominen from Delray Beach FL, became the founder of the modern day Pikes Peak races when he wrote a letter to the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce in 1956 and challenged cigarette smokers to race him up and down Pikes Peak. 1956 Results
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