Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent happening this weekend in Manitou Springs

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- It's one of the oldest continually held marathons in the United States, taking runners from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak Mountain: the Pikes Peak Marathon. The race, founded in 1956, takes runners to 14,115 feet to the top of America's Mountain and back down for a total of 26.2 grueling miles.

Its sister race, the Pikes Peak Ascent, climbs 7,800 feet up the historic Barr Trail on the East side of the mountain. That one climbs 13.3 miles to finish at the summit. It used to be held on the same day as the marathon, but quickly became its own event in the 1980s due to its popularity.

The races draw more than 2,000 runners and their families to the area each year. Pikes Peak Marathon staff estimates the local economic impact of the weekend is about $3.5 million between lodging, dining, and shopping.

“We are thrilled to welcome back a full field of Ascent and Marathon competitors at this year’s Pikes Peak races,” said Race Director Ron Ilgen. “We are looking forward to fast times as people get back to doing what they love.” 

In addition to those who will likely be at the front of the pack and on the podium, some longtime mountain runners are coming back for their 36th year running one of the Pikes Peak races.

Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc., will host a variety of athletes in Manitou Springs’ Memorial Park on Friday from 3-6 p.m. for what promises to be an engaging and inspiring talk before hundreds of runners tackle the mountain. 

Elite runners such as Joseph Gray, Seth DeMoor, Anthony Costales, Seth Ruhling, David Sinclair, Stevie Kremer, Kimber Mattox, and Kristina Mascarenas will be on hand to field media questions.

• Joseph Gray is running the Pikes Peak Ascent to defend his title for the fourth time. 
• Seth DeMoor returns after winning the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2020. 
• Anthony Costales, after winning his first ever 100 kilometer race at Canyons 100k, looks to compete in the Golden Trail Series, Pikes Peak Marathon.
• Seth Ruhling, winner of the JFK 50 miler in 2019, will be a competitive athlete in the front pack of the Pikes Peak Marathon. 
• David Sinclair, won 2018 USATF 50 km Trail Championships and will try to better his 5th place finish at the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2018 and 2019.  
• Stevie Kremer winner of the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2013
• Kimber Mattox of Bend, OR, won the Way Too Cool 50k in 2020. 
• Kristina Mascarenas, a local runner and winner of the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2017, ready to try her speed at the Pikes Peak Ascent.

The Manitou Incline is closed Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 19-22 for the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. The Incline is a popular hiking trail owned and managed by the City of Colorado Springs near the base of Barr Trail in Manitou Springs.

The Ascent is also impacting access to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. The summit is closed Saturday, Aug. 21 to highway visitors. Guests will be allowed to drive as far as Devils Playground, which is located at mile 16 of the 19-mile highway, starting at noon that day. The North Slope Recreation Area will open at 7:30 a.m. Visitors should anticipate congestion along the highway and in the parking areas, and parking at Glen Cove will be reserved for race personnel only. More information on Pikes Peak is available at PikesPeakColorado.com.

Race Background

Course Records:

• Men’s Ascent - 2:01:06 (Matt Carpenter, 1993)
• Women’s Ascent - 2:24:58 (Kim Dobson, 2012)
• Men’s Marathon - 3:16:39 (Matt Carpenter, 1993)
• Women’s Marathon - 4:02:41 (Maude Mathys, 2019)

For a schedule of events, click here.