Pikes Peak beckons the brave...
This year is an exceptional year at the famous Pikes Peak races. Not only will the racing be some of the best ever, looking at the line-ups; it will also be a super-important round of the 2010 Skyrunner World Series too.
Oh, it will also be the location of this year’s World Long Distance Mountain Running Champs too! So, as you can see it’s ‘kinda important’…
We’re sure there will be lots of activity over at iRunFar as the week wears on, and the US mountain running community is buzzing right now in anticipation of the race.
In its 55th edition, with a massive 900+ entrants, the Pikes Peak is a biggee in all manner of ways – international entries come from as far a field as Singapore and New Zealand. In the men’s event Skyrunning World Series leader Tofol Castener has predicted a 3:45 finish time, with 2009 winner, and ‘local man’, Matt Carpenter (now 44 years old) seeing a 3:33 as viable – he should know as he also holds the course record of 3:16. However, Castener is in super form this year and will be tough to beat.
Matt Carpenter
The women’s course record hasn’t been troubled since way back in 1981, held by Lynn A Bjorklund, with the best, most-recent time coming from Angela Mudge (4:19) in 2003. 2009 ladies champ Anita Ortiz doesnt run in 2010, so there could be new name on that women’s trophy.
The fact that the race is also the World LDMR champs means that there will be a host of internationals there too, including teams from all of the Home Nations.
Megan Kimmel in 2009
It will be interesting to see how New Zealander Anna Frost goes in the Ascent race, as she will be up against 2009 winner Megan Kimmel. In the men’s Ascent Tim Parr is also back for more after his win in 2009.
Tim Parr
More news as it comes in leading up the racing which gets under way on Saturday (Aug 21) with the Ascent races…
Reactions so far
Nick Clark Aug 17, 01:30 PM
For more on the US Pikes form, I would direct you to a couple of resources. First, there is a prediction contest for the Pikes Ascent going on over at RunColo.com with a run down on the form of many of the top contenders (mainly US): http://www.runcolo.com/content/la-sportiva-pikes-peak-ascent-prediction-contest-2010-418/
I am sure many of the internationals coming over have been overlooked, which is exciting as the US field is already stacked. Gonna be a great couple of days on the Big Hill.
Then for all things Pikes, including some form for the marathon and women’s races, scroll through George Zack’s blog: http://georgezack.blogspot.com/
I think the folks at irunfar are a little more focused on the upcoming Transrockies race this week.
BTW – enjoy the site and the insight it gives us US-based guys on the European mountain scene.
Matt - MST Aug 17, 05:03 PM
Thanks for your message, Nick! Really appreciate you taking time to point the readers in some great directions. Runcolo.com will be a bookmark for me from now on too :O)
Cheers
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