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

Tales from Barr Trail ~ Stories from some of our Pikes Peak Pioneers

9/1/2021

Written by ~ Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent Runners

​

Since 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.​

Bill Coffelt 
  • 1984 - FIRST PIKES PEAK
  • 12 - ASCENTS
  • 36 - MARATHONS

​Favorite Pikes Peak memory?
My favorite memory has to be the “blizzard” Ascent in 2008.
I was never so cold and miserable but glad to finish. The
Marathon on Sunday was icy on top and I wished I’d brought
my Yak-Traks!

What keeps bringing you back to the Pikes Peak races?
I keep returning because I don’t want to break my streak.
How did Pikes Peak shape you into the runner you are today?
Pikes Peak opened up the world of Ultra-Running to me.
Without Pikes Peak there wouldn’t have been any Western
States, Leadville Trail 100, or Hard Rock 100.

How does it feel to be a pioneer of mountain running?
I really don’t feel like a pioneer trail runner. I just see myself
as an old guy that refuses to quit running!
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​Manitou Springs, CO 80829
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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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