Pikes Peak Marathon Provides a Special Challenge to Participants

The Boston Marathon is considered the most prestigious race for runners in the world. Indeed, any marathon, an event during which runners must race 26.2 miles is a challenge for any athlete attempting it. Imagine running a marathon uphill, however. That is just what runners in the annual Pikes Peak Marathon do, and while the top finishers in the traditional Boston Marathon or the New York Marathon complete the course in just under two hours, it takes the top finishers in the Pikes Peak Marathon just under four hours to complete the race up the world famous mountain in Colorado.

The event began on the mountain, located at the foot of Manitou Springs, Colorado, a suburb of Colorado Springs, in 1956 when smokers challenged non-smokers to complete the more than 26 mile race. While 13 racers finished the event, none of the three smokers did. One of the older existing marathons in the United States was formed when the marathon was officially organized in 1966.

The race begins at the base of Manitou Springs. From there, racers climb more than 7,700 feet to the top of the 14,110 foot mountain. Each year the race is scheduled in late summer. One day racers compete in the ascent race (half marathon), and another day involves the full round trip marathon.

The course includes a dirt trail, in spots, rocks, and other natural obstacles. Experts consider the race far more difficult than a traditional marathon. It is true that the average slope grade is 11%, but it is much steeper in spots. The central portion of the race is actually flat in spots. The first three miles of the course are extremely steep. The central portion of the course starts flat, as rolling terrain, but get sharply steeper. Racers must climb rocks during the final three miles of the course. Runners in the race must also face the loss of oxygen as the altitude rises.

Several hundred racers compete in both the ascent and the full race. Winning times can vary greatly from year to year, because of varying weather conditions. Some years participants have seen hot and dry conditions. Other years there may be snow and cold at the top of the peak.

Some runners in the marathon compete in the Garden of Gods (a large park with numerous huge red rock formations in Manitou Springs) ten mile run and the Summer Roundup Trail Run in Colorado Springs.

Even those who walk up the course are cautioned by a sign to beware of common and dangerous afternoon thunderstorms, to dress for winter weather on top of the peak, and to have their own transportation getting down the mountain. They are warned they will not be able to use the cog railway system to get down. They are also warned the roads can be closed by dangerous weather. On the website, skyrunner.com, runners are told that running up mountains may cause euphoria and prolong one's life but that it can also be dangerous. It takes about eight hours to walk up the peak.

This year the Pikes Peak Marathon committee is hosting the third annual WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running challenge. Runners from all over the world, including, Africa, Europe, and the Americas will compete.

"The Pikes Peak Marathon Committee is honored to have to be hosting the third WMRA World Challenge," race organizer Ron Iligen said on the pikespeakmarathon.com website. "Having the challenge will continue our recent tradition of attracting some of the best mountain runners in the world."

Racing the marathon will no doubt be one of the biggest challenges participants will ever face-as many former racers have expressed such feelings about the race. Who will win this year's event?