Pikes Peak Ascent + Marathon - August 21 & 22, 2021 - Registration Opens March 1
Pikes Peak Marathon
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  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
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    • Manitou Springs
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Garden To Peak Challenge

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Three Courses -- One Challenge

The Garden to Peak Challenge, formerly the Triple Crown of Running, is a race series where participants complete the Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run (not 10k), the Barr Trail Mountain Race, and either the Pikes Peak Ascent or the Pikes Peak Marathon.  Runners that complete the three races under the mandatory cut-off times are recognized as Challenge participants and are eligible for awards, recognition and invitations to exclusive events.

Any runner who completes the series is automatically entered in the Garden to Peak Challenge.

The Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run takes place on June 13th, 2021, in one of the most spectacular and challenging venues anywhere.  With a start near the Garden of the Gods parks entrance and a finish at nearby Rock Ledge Ranch, it is a quintessential event for Coloradoans, whether native or visitor!  Special for 2021, the race is part of the City of Colorado Springs's sesquicentennial celebration!  Check out the race website for more details.

The Barr Trail Mountain Race, set for July 18th, 2021, gives runners the perfect opportunity to test their training for the Ascent or Marathon, or to enjoy a 12.6 mile trail run through the nation's most beautiful forest without having to surpass 10,200 ft in elevation.  With a start and finish at the Barr Trail Trailhead, this race follows the same course, Barr Trail, up Pikes Peak to Barr Camp before returning to the trailhead. Check out the race website for more details.

The Pikes Peak Ascent or Pikes Peak Marathon, taking place August 21st and 22nd, respectively, serve as the final portion of the Garden to Peak Challenge, testing runners as they run to an elevation of 14,110 feet.  These races are considered America's Ultimate Challenge, and the Pikes Peak Marathon was selected as the North American segment of the Golden Trail Series!

SCORING

Series scoring will consist of the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile run, the Ascent portion of the Barr Trail Mountain Race, and either the Pikes Peak Ascent or the ascent portion of the Pikes Peak Marathon.  Runners must complete each race under the cutoff in order to be considered a Garden to Peak Challenge finisher.  If you run the Marathon, you must complete the race but only your ascent time will count for the series standings.  For those who run both the Ascent and Marathon (The Double), the faster ascent time will be used for series scoring.

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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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