Top marathoners and trail runners from across the United States and around the world are running Barr Trail Sunday morning, following the 7 a.m. start of the Pikes Peak Marathon, dubbed “America’s Ultimate Challenge.”

Race officials expect Kilian Jornet, 24, of Spain, Alex Nichols, 27, and Max King, 32, of Bend, Ore., to race stride for stride on the trail.

See photos from the Pikes Peak Marathon – 800 runners charging up and down the mountain!

Kasie Enman, 32, of Vermont, Mirela Miro Varela of Spain, and Michele Suszek are among the women expected to battle for the top spot on America’s Mountain.

UPDATE: Watch “almost live results” at the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon website

King said Friday that he “loves to run downhill” and was looking forward to the descent from the summit back to Manitou Springs.

The finish line is at the roundabout where Ruxton and Manitou avenues meet on the city’s west end.

Jornet said he liked the balance of technical areas and open areas to run. On some areas of the trail you can just “run, run, run,” he said with a smile.

The Marathon record of 3:16:39 was set by Matt Carpenter, of Manitou Springs, in 1993.

The women’s Marathon record of 4:15:18 was set by 1981.Lynn Bjorkland in

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