Photo courtesy of Pikes Peak Sports
The second annual Pikes Peak Road Ascent took place on Sunday starting at the Pikes Peak Toll Gate and finishing up at Crystal Reservoir. With a shortened race distance (10K) and later race date, the event attracted some speedsters and strong runners alike.
In the men’s race, 46-year old Simon Gutierrez of Colorado Springs took top honors with a 43:23 finishing time. Peter Maksimow of Manitou Springs came in second in 44:46 and 41-year old Gerald Romero of Colorado Springs rounded out the top three in 47:43.
In the women’s race, first place finisher Brandy Erholtz of Evergreen came in at 49:35 and took fourth place overall as well. Second place finisher and co-race director Nancy Hobbs, 52, of Colorado Springs crossed the line in 1:00:13. Jennifer Valentine of Boulder took third in 1:00:29.
It was a chilly, albeit sunny morning at Pikes Peak with the final stages of the leaves changing color and a beautiful frost setting a pristine backdrop for the hundreds of runners that took part in the second annual event.
October 8, 2012 by Amanda Hodges
Regional News