World Long Distance MountaIn Running Challenge
Pike’s Peak Ascent, 21kms
Colorado USA
Saturday 21 August 2010
Picture: Andrew Lee and Brendan Davies (from Brendan Davies)
Andrew Lee has finished 26th and 5th M40 in 2:41:10 in the gruelling 21km Pike’s Peak Ascent, with fellow Australian team member Brendan Davies 86th in 3:05:35. The start was at 1,920m altitude and the summit at 4,302m, where there is 43% less oxgen than at sea level.
Andrew commented, ‘Pound for pound the toughest run I’ve ever done…. but still enjoyed it. The trail/course and surrounds are absolutely beautiful, which helps! We had picture perfect weather as well.
With all due respect, this event has in my opinion overtaken 6ft and TNF100 in this regard in terms of toughness. A relentless incline and as you get 3 miles from the finish (tree line) it is very hard to get rhythm as it is uneven and rocky in parts – not to mention the fact your up about 4000mr in elvtn. It’s no coincidence that above tree line is where the altitude / oxygen debt grabs hold of you and that tree’s from this point (3 miles to go) simply just dont grow!
But what a day though… a great experience and one that I’ll never forget.’
Brendan commented, ‘Toughest race I’ve ever done! Smashed by altitude around 3500m. Happy with result. Great race, great spirit!’
USA runners from Colorado dominated the male and female placings. Glen Randall from Colorado set a new course record of 2:09:28, with Mark Lauenstein of Switzerland second in 2:12:19 and Rickey Gates of Coloado third in 2:16:44.
The women’s race was taken out by Brandy Erholtz of Coloado in 2:41:38, with Kim Dobson also of Colorado second in 2:41:51 and Anna Frost of Great Britain third in 2:42:46.
Males
Name Age Time City St
1 Glenn Randall 23 2:09:28 Mesa CO
2 Marc Lauenstein 29 2:12:19 Peseux CHE
3 Rickey Gates 29 2:16:44 Boulder CO
4 Ryan R Hafer 24 2:20:04 Colorado Spgs CO
5 Alex F Nichols 25 2:20:57 Colorado Spgs CO
6 Andy S Peace 41 2:22:25 Keighley GBR
7 Morgan J Donnelly 37 2:23:05 Appleby-in-Wes GBR
8 Peter M Maksimow 31 2:26:39 Manitou Spring CO
9 Galen Burrell 31 2:26:55 San Francisco CA
10 Miguel Lopez 31 2:27:52 Tepatitlan Jal MEX
26 Andrew Lee 40 2:41:10 AUSTRALIA
86 Brendan Davies 33 3:05:35 AUSTRALIA
Females
Name Age Time City St
1 Brandy L Erholtz 32 2:41:38 Evergreen CO
2 Kim S Dobson 26 2:41:51 Aurora CO
3 Anna H Frost 29 2:42:46 Wrecsam GBR
4 Keri A Nelson 29 2:46:19 Moab UT
5 Anna L Lupton 32 2:46:36 Manchester GBR
6 Katherine E Koski 37 2:46:53 Duluth MN
7 Victoria L Wilkinson 32 2:48:46 Skipton GBR
8 Ashlee K Nelson 29 2:50:04 Colorado Spgs CO
9 Claire F Gordon 33 2:53:50 West Lothian SC
10 Anja Carlsohn 31 2:54:33 Potsdam DEU
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Masters Male
Name Age Time City St
1 Mike Kloser 50 2:31:32 Vail CO
2 John A Brown 41 2:32:32 Manchester MA
3 Michael J Hagen 48 2:35:39 Colorado Spgs CO
4 Johannes Rudolph 45 2:40:25 Boulder CO
5 Andrew M Lee 40 2:41:10 Warrimoo AUS