Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 20, 2025 Participant: Thomas Hanchar #1437 Race: 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Chilly start. Heavy winds (tail/cross wind). Sunny at the finish.

Consistent Effort with Tough Challenges at High Altitude Thomas Hanchar completed the 2025 Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon with an elapsed time of 6:20:23. Covering the 13.36-mile course, his average pace was 28:28 min/mile. His performance placed him 1562nd overall, and he ranked 987th in his gender and 159th in the M35-39 division. The race included a steep elevation gain that added to its difficulty. Notably, Thomas maintained a steady effort despite challenging altitude changes, with the final, demanding stretches slowing his pace. Comparing his performance to the previous year, Thomas showed resilience despite a slightly longer overall time this year. In 2024, he completed the race in 5:50:23, maintaining a 26:13 min/mile pace. This year's steep learning curve at higher elevations like "Bottomless Pit" and "A-Frame" sections offered valuable insights into pacing at extreme altitudes. Focusing on maintaining speed while ascending could further refine his pacing strategy for future races.