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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260920T070000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260920T130000
DTSTAMP:20260531T181557Z
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UID:37987-1789887600-1789909200@whatracetorun.com
SUMMARY:Pikes Peak Marathon
DESCRIPTION:The Pikes Peak Marathon is a world-renowned trail race that challenges runners with a 7\,815-foot ascent to the 14\,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak and back. \nCourse Highlights\nThe Pikes Peak Marathon is widely regarded as one of the most challenging trail races in the world. Starting at an elevation of 6\,300 feet in Manitou Springs\, the course takes runners on a grueling 13.3-mile ascent to the summit of Pikes Peak\, reaching a staggering 14\,115 feet. Runners navigate the legendary Barr Trail\, which features a mix of steep inclines\, technical rocky sections\, and breathtaking alpine scenery. After reaching the summit\, marathoners must turn around and descend the same path\, testing their technical skill and endurance on the high-speed downhill return to the finish line in Manitou Springs. \nRace Details\nThe 2026 Pikes Peak Marathon is scheduled for September 20\, 2026\, with a typical start time of 07:00. The event is part of a race weekend that also includes the Pikes Peak Ascent\, held the previous day. Due to its extreme nature\, the marathon has strict qualification requirements and wave placements based on runners’ previous performance and experience at high altitudes. Registration for the 2026 event is set to open on March 1\, 2026. The race is operated under a special use permit from the Pike National Forest\, and aid stations are strategically placed along the Barr Trail\, though some require supplies to be packed in by volunteers or pack animals due to the remote terrain. \nWhy Runners Love It\nKnown as “America’s Ultimate Challenge\,” the Pikes Peak Marathon attracts trail running enthusiasts and elite athletes from across the globe. Its history dates back to 1956\, making it the oldest continually held marathon in the United States. Runners are drawn to the race’s unique atmosphere\, the camaraderie of the “Pikes Peak Trail Dogs\,” and the immense sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering one of the country’s most iconic Fourteeners. The race is not just a test of speed\, but a battle against altitude\, unpredictable mountain weather\, and the physical toll of a 7\,815-foot vertical climb and descent. \nAt a Glance\n\nLocation: Manitou Springs\, CO — United States\nNext Date: 2026-09-20\nDistances: 26.21 miles (42.2 km)\nStart Time: 07:00\n\nRegister & Learn More\nVisit the official race website for entry details\, course maps\, and registration: https://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/
URL:https://whatracetorun.com/event/pikes-peak-marathon/
LOCATION:Pikes Peak Marathon | Manitou Springs\, 606 Manitou Avenue\, Manitou Springs\, CO\, 80829\, United States
CATEGORIES:Trail Races
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://whatracetorun.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pikes-peak-marathon.png
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260920T070000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260920T130000
DTSTAMP:20260802T180316Z
CREATED:20260802T180312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260802T180316Z
UID:38924-1789887600-1789909200@whatracetorun.com
SUMMARY:Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent
DESCRIPTION:Course Highlights\nThe 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. \nRace Details\nThe 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. \nWhy Runners Love It\nSince 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. \nRace Weekend Tips\nThe 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. \nRegister\nRegistration 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.
URL:https://whatracetorun.com/event/pikes-peak-marathon-ascent/
LOCATION:Pikes Peak Marathon | Manitou Springs\, 606 Manitou Avenue\, Manitou Springs\, CO\, 80829\, United States
CATEGORIES:Trail Races
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://whatracetorun.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/pikes-peak-marathon-ascent.png
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