Barr Trail part of preparations for local marathon

A popular local trail that already gets a lot of wear and tear is about to be visited by 2,600 runners later this month.

To prepare for the 60th running of the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon in Manitou Springs, volunteers are working on a two-mile stretch of the Barr Trail.

Friends of the Peak and the Rocky Mountain Field Institute are removing roots on which runners could trip, moving downed trees and boulders and smoothing out rough spots.

“If the trail is well-groomed, the times are going to be faster and you don’t have to pay as much attention to jumping over rocks and roots,” said Peter Maksimow, a runner registered for the race. “The boulders are a concern.”

Paul Mead, a member of Friends of the Peak, said volunteers are concentrating on a section of trail above Barr Camp, after focusing on a lower section atop the Manitou Incline in previous years.

“We’d like to get even higher, up toward the summit,” Mead said, “but it’s hard to get people up there.”

Race organizers said they give around $5,000 every year for upkeep of the trail.

Volunteers have work days scheduled Thursday and during the weekend.

The Ascent, in which runners go to the summit, is on Aug. 15. The Marathon, a round trip back to Manitou Springs, is Aug. 16.

Both races are full, with a total of 2,600 people registered.

Organizers said to minimize the impact of the races on the trail, they’ve asked authorities to close the Manitou Incline during race times. Authorities have yet to decide on that request.