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Course Highlights
The Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent represent the gold standard of American mountain running. The Ascent covers 13.32 miles from downtown Manitou Springs (6,286 feet) to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak — America’s most famous fourteener — gaining 7,867 feet in a single unrelenting climb over Barr Trail. The full Marathon adds the return trip, demanding runners descend the same brutal trail for a round-trip of 26.2 miles and 7,834 feet of gain and loss. The course passes through Manitou Springs, through dense forests, exposed alpine tundra, technical rocky scree fields, and the final breathtaking above-treeline push to the summit.
Race Details
The 2026 weekend runs September 19–20 in Manitou Springs. The Ascent takes place on Saturday, September 19, and the Marathon on Sunday, September 20, with a 7:00 AM start both days. Registration opened March 1, 2026 at $200–$250, and the race typically sells out quickly. Participants must register in advance — no day-of registration. Both races are self-supported with aid stations but demand significant mountain running fitness, appropriate footwear, and altitude acclimatization. Mandatory cutoff times are strictly enforced.
Why Runners Love It
Since 1956, the Pikes Peak Marathon has been the defining test of American mountain running. The race attracts elite runners from around the world alongside hundreds of determined everyday athletes who want to stand at 14,115 feet having earned every single foot of elevation under their own power. The summit views — stretching across the Great Plains to the east and dozens of Colorado peaks to the west — are among the most spectacular on earth. Finishing the marathon is considered one of the toughest single-day athletic achievements available to recreational runners.
Race Weekend Tips
The summit of Pikes Peak sits at 14,115 feet — well above the altitude where acute mountain sickness becomes a serious risk. Arriving in Colorado at least one full week before race day is strongly recommended for sea-level runners. Train specifically on sustained steep climbs and descents; the downhill of the marathon is notoriously destructive on the quads. Carry a wind layer and rain shell regardless of the forecast — summit conditions can turn from sunny to whiteout in minutes. Trail shoes with good traction and rock plate protection are essential.
Register
Registration opens March 1 each year at pikespeakmarathon.org. With limited entries and intense demand, register the moment registration opens. A deferral deadline applies, and no refunds are issued.
Manitou Springs, Colorado United States
Course Highlights
The Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent represent the gold standard of American mountain running. The Ascent covers 13.32 miles from downtown Manitou Springs (6,286 feet) to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak — America’s most famous fourteener — gaining 7,867 feet in a single unrelenting climb over Barr Trail. The full Marathon adds the return trip, demanding runners descend the same brutal trail for a round-trip of 26.2 miles and 7,834 feet of gain and loss. The course passes through Manitou Springs, through dense forests, exposed alpine tundra, technical rocky scree fields, and the final breathtaking above-treeline push to the summit.
Race Details
The 2026 weekend runs September 19–20 in Manitou Springs. The Ascent takes place on Saturday, September 19, and the Marathon on Sunday, September 20, with a 7:00 AM start both days. Registration opened March 1, 2026 at $200–$250, and the race typically sells out quickly. Participants must register in advance — no day-of registration. Both races are self-supported with aid stations but demand significant mountain running fitness, appropriate footwear, and altitude acclimatization. Mandatory cutoff times are strictly enforced.
Why Runners Love It
Since 1956, the Pikes Peak Marathon has been the defining test of American mountain running. The race attracts elite runners from around the world alongside hundreds of determined everyday athletes who want to stand at 14,115 feet having earned every single foot of elevation under their own power. The summit views — stretching across the Great Plains to the east and dozens of Colorado peaks to the west — are among the most spectacular on earth. Finishing the marathon is considered one of the toughest single-day athletic achievements available to recreational runners.
Race Weekend Tips
The summit of Pikes Peak sits at 14,115 feet — well above the altitude where acute mountain sickness becomes a serious risk. Arriving in Colorado at least one full week before race day is strongly recommended for sea-level runners. Train specifically on sustained steep climbs and descents; the downhill of the marathon is notoriously destructive on the quads. Carry a wind layer and rain shell regardless of the forecast — summit conditions can turn from sunny to whiteout in minutes. Trail shoes with good traction and rock plate protection are essential.
Register
Registration opens March 1 each year at pikespeakmarathon.org. With limited entries and intense demand, register the moment registration opens. A deferral deadline applies, and no refunds are issued.