The Pikes Peak Road Runners’ fall races are challenging, no matter your fitness level.

The second race of the local running club’s Fall Series was no exception Sunday, with a course traversing just about every hill in Bear Creek Regional Park in southwest Colorado Springs. Most of the 460 runners conquered the final hill — a 50-foot climb at about 75-percent grade — by pulling themselves up, hand over hand, on a rope.

“It was tough, no doubt,” said race winner Robby Young, 27, of Colorado Springs, who is tackling the Fall Series for the first time. “There were so many hills. When I got to that last climb, I thought I was done. I thought Justin would catch me for sure.”

See photos from Sunday’s race!

Justin Ricks, 32, of Pueblo West, was hot on Young’s heels, but couldn’t catch the Fall Series leader, who coaches cross country and distance runners at Rampart High School. Young finished the 4.5-mile course in 28 minutes, 21 seconds; Ricks, in 28:49.

Young won the first race in the series, while Ricks was third. Michael Weiss, who finished second in the previous race, did not run Sunday.

Peter Maksimow, 33, of Manitou Springs, finished third Sunday in 29:48; he placed sixth in the first race in the series.

Clare Bar, 25, of Colorado Springs, was the first woman across the finish line Sunday, clocking in at 35:10, more than a minute ahead of Connilee Walter, 39, of Colorado Springs (36:37).

Ilea Eskildsen, 26, and Kayli Tabares, 13, both of Colorado Springs, fought for third place. Tabares led coming into the final hill climb, but Eskildsen passed the teen at the lip of the cliff and sprinted to the finish, crossing the line in 37:05. Tabares was a body length behind in 37:09.

Tabares, Bar and Walter placed first, second and third, respectively, at the first race of the series; Eskildsen did not compete.

The trail race series, in its 32nd year, began Sept. 30 at Monument Valley Park and continues Oct. 28 with a six-mile run at Ute Valley Park. The four-race series ends Nov. 11 on a seven-mile course winding through Palmer Park. The races are meant to be progressively tougher, and organizers change the courses year to year to keep it challenging for repeat runners.

In 2009 the series was voted best in the state by Colorado Runner Magazine.

“We try to give everyone a great experience, a good challenge,” said race director Larry Miller. “It’s all about the running.”

That challenge is drawing a record number of runners of all ages and abilities, from elite racers with sponsors to folks hoping to shed a few dozen pounds. Sunday’s adult race attracted 460 runners, and it appeared that just as many kids signed up to run their own races, which ranged from a 30-yard sprint for toddlers to a 2-mile cross-country course dominated by young teens.

You can sign up for one race or the four-race series, and race solo or as part of a team. This season’s runners receive virtual pieces of a puzzle at each race completed, with prizes awarded at the series end. Anyone who skips a race can buy a puzzle piece, thereby completing the series, by making a donation to El Paso County parks, said Miller. An awards dinner is scheduled Nov. 17 at the downtown YMCA.

Race proceeds are handed out as prize money to top runners. Any money left over is awarded to local nonprofits, traditionally those connected with parks and trails, Miller said. Race winners also receive gift certificates donated by Boulder Running Co.

But prizes aren’t what motivates most of the runners.

“We’re here to run and to have fun,” said Sara Lee, a member of Team WPSG (Woodland Park Slow Girls), four women linked by friendship and a love of running. Their goal is for every team member to finish each race with a smile on her face.

There were moments along the Bear Creek course when that wasn’t the case, but by the race’s end, the women were nothing but grins.

“Forward motion is the key,” said team member Beja Foky. “Everyone starts, everyone finishes.”