Striders raced each other, strangers, a few costumed folk, possibly up to two guys in Five Fingers shoes, but if we're being honest no one beat the weather (not the government controlled kind). Lets hear some of the creative excuses these brave folks came up with.
BJ Karlik, a guy who does 90% of his training circling a playground in Rockrimmon, like an unwanted neighborhood watch captain, had this to say.
BJ here….reporting that I was informed that this year was the first time in its history that the PP marathon wasn’t completed in full. Disappointing? Without a doubt. Still a fun day? Absolutely. Turns out people weren’t lying when they said downhill was tough. No idea how some of these young (and not so young) kids fly down the rocky areas with no regard for their ankles. I passed several people on the way up and was passed by even more on the way down.
No idea if 2:41 is a good time for Barr camp and back but I felt decent finishing 153 overall. Maybe someone wants to help me with the downhill portion next year?
Adam Rich who only has 7 alleys left in the Patty Jewett neighborhood, before he takes every single STRAVA segment in 80907, kept up his dominance in Denver.
Warrior 5K 1st 16:00 not sure on distance as I was still having watch issues.
Race for Research 1st (3.20 miles) 16:31 long course, started 1 hour later then it was advertised!!!
Pancake Stampede 2nd 15:53
Golden Gallup 2nd 15:58
Flyin Lyon 5K 1st 16:27 (3.16 miles)
Colorado Springs Marathon 5k 1st 15:21 (A bit short)
Abby Winery 5k (Canon City) 1st 16:02 (course was not fantastic, almost messed up ankles running on the uncut farm fields)
Denver Rocks Run 5k 1st 16:01 (3.14 miles)
Harvest Festival 5k (3.24 miles) 1st 16:44
Strides for Sierra 5k 1st 16:05 (3.13 miles)
Andy Sherwood, who is still ironing out the kinks to legalize signing local high school runners to NIL deals with the City of Colorado Springs landscaping and chipping pile down off Las Vegas St; laced his racers up after a summer hiatus.
I ran the first annual Manitou 5k. Top Master in a Course record time of 19:53. Racing 5k at Nike Regional Citizen race on November 23 in Phoenix.
Jon Teisher, ran the Manitou Coffin Races and also the Detroit Marathon. I only have a photo from Coffin Races where I think half his team tore their Achilles in the first 20 ft.
Sam Wood, who could single handedly easily put 2 Men and A Truck out of business if she ever decided to stop being a PT, ran a sampler of cool events.
In September I ran an abbreviated Pikes Peak Double and the 1st Cougar Ridge Classic race in Vail. I don’t have much to say about the PPA/PPM other than I had fun and it’s a great hometown tradition (despite this only being my second year to run it). The Cougar Ridge Classic however I have to report that the swag you get at packet pickup (long-sleeve sun shirt, hydropack soft flask, small 1st aid kit, sunscreen, dynafit socks, chapstick) plus the free beer, post race $15 meal voucher, and free bags of coffee far outweigh the race fee! The race is approx 15-miles of single track, point to point, starting in Vail and running up the ski slopes to a ridge traversing over and down into Minturn. The fall colors were stunning this year! Consider putting it on your list for next year!
Phil Stafford, completing his bucket list of kinda odd marathons, capped it off with the climate change finish.
2024 PPM (Partially Peak Marathon)
Lugged a bunch of extra Maurten, shot blocks, and clothes up for good weight training / classic over packing. Took a little to get the engine running, then things turned into a full blown sprint downhill on that #herodirt, featuring an unexpected uphill hiker on the W’s that got a free “Phil Hug” at 12 miles an hour.
Ruth Leibfritz, who I can only assume was trying to win a creativity award for submitting court ordered community service loitered all over Palmer Lake.
On 9/28, I attempted my first 24 hour race - a .82 mile loop around Palmer Lake over and over (and over). I ran with my sister, and had friends come hang and run throughout the day.
We switched directions every 4 hours to really mix it up, and I got to meet and chat with a lot of runners throughout the day. Night time was tough, but the aid station crew was great, and a cheese quesadilla may have saved my life.
