A few words about Pikes Peak Marathon
A few words about the Pikes Peak Marathon It is supposed to be the Hardest Marathon in the United States!
Pikes Peak Marathon: The views are inspiring it will leave you perspiring, Its very tiring . Something to share The air way up there is so very very rare, the trail is rough so take really good care!
Here are the facts from the web site: http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/index.htm
“Course: Starting elevation - 6,295 feet (1,918 meters). Summit elevation - 14,110 feet (4,299 meters). Ending elevation - 6,345 feet (1,934 meters). Net elevation gain to summit - 7,815 feet (2,381 meters). Net elevation loss to finish - 7,765 feet (2,366 meters) Distance: 26.21 miles Average elevation grade of the course: 11% The course starts on a paved city street in Manitou Springs. The first 1.33 miles are on paved city streets. The course then connects to Barr Trail and follows Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak. The first 3 miles (approximate) along Barr Trail traverses along the east face of Mount Manitou. Switchbacks and steep grades are the norm for this section. The next 3 miles (approximate) traverses over to Pikes Peak. The grades of this section are much gentler than before, and even includes a couple of downhill sections. The end of this section is Barr Camp. The 3 miles (approximate) from Barr Camp to A-Frame bring back steep grades and there are more rocks and boulders to negotiate along the trail. The final 3 miles (approximate) from A-Frame to the summit is the toughest portion of the course. It is entirely above tree line. The grades are still steep and the high altitude means that the oxygen supply is less than abundant. But don't worry, there's less gravity along this section, so you'll be nearly weightless as you bound along to the summit. (Well, not really!) After reaching the summit, runners turn around and run down Barr Trail to the finish line back in Manitou Springs.” OH and Yes up on top it is single track trail strewn with large rocks & boulders with two way traffic down hill runners have the right of way...
Pikes Peak Marathon: The views are inspiring it will leave you perspiring, Its very tiring . Something to share The air way up there is so very very rare, the trail is rough so take really good care!
Here are the facts from the web site: http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/index.htm
“Course: Starting elevation - 6,295 feet (1,918 meters). Summit elevation - 14,110 feet (4,299 meters). Ending elevation - 6,345 feet (1,934 meters). Net elevation gain to summit - 7,815 feet (2,381 meters). Net elevation loss to finish - 7,765 feet (2,366 meters) Distance: 26.21 miles Average elevation grade of the course: 11% The course starts on a paved city street in Manitou Springs. The first 1.33 miles are on paved city streets. The course then connects to Barr Trail and follows Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak. The first 3 miles (approximate) along Barr Trail traverses along the east face of Mount Manitou. Switchbacks and steep grades are the norm for this section. The next 3 miles (approximate) traverses over to Pikes Peak. The grades of this section are much gentler than before, and even includes a couple of downhill sections. The end of this section is Barr Camp. The 3 miles (approximate) from Barr Camp to A-Frame bring back steep grades and there are more rocks and boulders to negotiate along the trail. The final 3 miles (approximate) from A-Frame to the summit is the toughest portion of the course. It is entirely above tree line. The grades are still steep and the high altitude means that the oxygen supply is less than abundant. But don't worry, there's less gravity along this section, so you'll be nearly weightless as you bound along to the summit. (Well, not really!) After reaching the summit, runners turn around and run down Barr Trail to the finish line back in Manitou Springs.” OH and Yes up on top it is single track trail strewn with large rocks & boulders with two way traffic down hill runners have the right of way...
posted by Gandullf at
6:35 PM
3 Comments:
Great job at the marathon! Come back to visit CO soon, and bring some extra shoes so you don't hafta autowank!
By
brownie, at 7:05 PM
Hi,
I was wondering if you could offer any training advice for training for the Pikes Peak Marathon. My father ran the marathon many times before he died, and I would love to run it. The only catch is, I live in Florida. How would I train for an altitude event when I live at sea level!?
-Sean
By
Sean Dietrich, at 7:33 PM
Hi Barefoot guy
Some suggestions for Pikes Peak
1) Run a couple of Marathons
2) Run on trails, Rock gardens etc to get used to rough terrain
3) Run a 50K or 50 miler PP is not your normal flat marathon it could take double your flat land marathon time.
4) Go to http://www.skyrunner.com/peak.htm & buy Matt Carpenters Training Guide
I have heard people in Florida & other flat lands Run bridges or set treadmills on maximum incline for hill training.
Check out Kevin Sayers ultRunR site http://www.ultrunr.com/
Barefoot You are on your own! There must be an association of some sort: I have seen barefoot runners In a number of marathons : Los Angeles, San Francisco, Death Valley, Bar Trail Run the ½ marathon a month before the Pikes Peak Ascent & Marathon. They seem to do ok on pavement, but the few I have seen on trail really seemed to be suffering more than average.
Altitude: I trained at altitude in Colorado & CA but a few weeks later it seemed I lost most of the benefit. I was really impressed with the Rogue group from Austin TX Who I believe train on hills then come to Colorado mountains and spend a week to 10 days at 10,000 feet right before the PPM to acclimate.
Good luck! Guru Parkash
By
Gandullf, at 3:41 PM
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