With Pikes Peak legends such as Matt Carpenter and Rick Trujillo present at the race expo on Friday, the energy was different for this year’s addition of “America’s Ultimate Challenge.” 

The 69th annual Pikes Peak Ascent and 70th Pikes Peak Marathon will take place this weekend, beginning with the 13.32 mile Ascent up the mountain Saturday morning. 

Both races have a record number of participants registered this year with 2,061 taking on the Ascent and 925 tackling the Marathon- known as “America’s Ultimate Challenge”- on Sunday. 

The Marathon, founded in 1956, is the oldest continually held marathon in the United States, and takes runners from Manitou Springs up 7,800 feet of vertical gain to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet and back down for 26.2 miles. 

The one-way Ascent climbs the same route up Barr Trail for 13.3 miles. 

The historic Pikes Peak races attract people from all over the world with this year’s race featuring runners from around 20 countries outside the U.S. and more than half of the states.  

One possible reason for the uptick in registrants this year is that there was no qualification time requirement to enter the races. Race director Michael Phan said this was a one-year special for the 70th anniversary but that they will discuss the possibility of continuing it in the future. 

“People are excited about the anniversary so we brought it back to the old days of having it open to everybody,” Phan said. 

“Our main goal is to create an incredible experience, not just for the runners but for our volunteers, spectators and everyone involved. Experience is the key factor that all our team focuses on.” 

70th-anniversary festivities 

The two-day event is celebrating the 70th anniversary in several ways, including bringing back Pikes Peak legends dating back to the 1970’s. 

Featured guests include Trujillo, Donna Messenger, Charlene Aldridge, Bill Coffelt, Brenton Buxton, Yvonne Monsauret, and marathon course record-holder Carpenter. These guests were on the Pioneers of Pikes Peak panel at the race expo Friday, which can be listened to on the For the Long Run podcast. 

Bill Coffelt, who has ran the race 53 times since 1984, encapsulated the feelings of what the race meant to several of the legends on the panel.

“‘84 was my first year, and I just keep coming back,” Coffelt said. “Some people call us nuts. I’ve run 114 ultras but this race would always go on the calendar first. I just love coming out here for the camaraderie – it’s always been about camaraderie – this race is just special.” 

The late Carl McDaniel, who was race director for 20 years, will also be honored with his family shooting the starting gun for the Ascent on Saturday. 

Another way the race is celebrating its 70th anniversary is with a special “Pikes Peak Marathon 70th Anniversary” exhibit in the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum, which opened Sept. 5. The exhibit will be open until the end of the year and guided tours will be available during the race expo Saturday. 

Advice from the Legends

During the Pioneers of Pikes Peak panel, several past champions shared their advice on conquering the mountain. 

“Don’t go out there fast,” said Ron Ilgen, who was race director for two decades and implemented competitive athletes to make the race an international success. 

“It always happens, you hit the W’s and you’re all hyped up then you need to save some for that last three or four miles. Pace. Pace. Especially if you haven’t trained on Pikes Peak.”

“Going up, you’ll never forget that,” Yvonne Monsauret, who ran her first Pikes Peak marathon in 1977, said. “People who will do it for the first time, give it your all, listen to your body, and be sure to concentrate because the trail is very treacherous.”

While it can be a grueling feat, llgen also advised runners to enjoy it. 

“The views are spectacular and the aid stations are the best in the world,” Ilgen said. “Just enjoy, pace yourself, and you’ll have a great day.”

And then there’s the weather 

Last year’s Marathon was spoiled with icy conditions on Pikes Peak, preventing emergency vehicles from reaching the top and ultimately causing the race to be shortened to 14.75 miles. 

Phan is feeling optimistic about the weather this weekend, which looks to be in the mid-50’s for both 7 a.m. race starts with low chances of precipitation throughout each day. 

The first runners for the Ascent are expected around 9-9:30 a.m. Saturday and 10-11:15 a.m. for the Marathon on Sunday. 

Of course, the weather on America’s Mountain can be unpredictable, as Monsauret points out. 

“Tomorrow we hope for good weather, but this mountain knows what it wants to do to us,” Monsauret said. “You become only stronger and more enduring.”