Runners take on the Pikes Peak Ascent

It’s a big weekend for runners in Southern Colorado. The 60th running of the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon is attracting outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.

More than 1,500 runners took part in the Pikes Peak Ascent Saturday morning, which includes a rigorous 13.32-mile trek up America’s Mountain.

“It’s an epic race,” runnerPatrick Wiley said. “Hopefully I’ll finish, but I don’t know how fast it’s going to be. Elevation is the most difficult part.”

One group is taking on the challenge and running with a purpose. Dozens of people wore shirts honoring people who have died in traffic-related crashes.

“We’re running with Keep Kids Alive Drive 25,”Carma Dirkschneider said. “Our son, Bryn, died in a car accident, as well has hundreds of other names on the back of our T-shirts.”

The group has participated in the ascent for the past nine years. Participants run as hard as they can to encourage others to slow down when behind the wheel.

“The mission is to make streets safer for all who walk, cycle and drive,” saidTom Everson, a runner and Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 founder. “We’re concnered about anything that happens on or along the roadways.”

Wearing names and pictures of their loved ones, the group ran up Pikes Peak hoping to spread a message.

“It’s about living forward and just keeping their memories alive the best we can every day,”Dirkschneider said.

The Pikes Peak Marathon kicks off Sunday at 7 a.m.