Overview

In order to help alleviate course crowding, both the Ascent and the Marathon will utilize a rolling wave start. Runners have been seeded into starting waves based on their qualification times. The runners bib number defines the wave with bib numbers 1 through 199 in wave one, bibs 200 to 299 in wave two, bibs 300 to 399 in wave 3, etc.

With the exception of runners in the 1st wave (bibs #1 -> 199) who will start at 7:00 AM, to determine your assigned starting time, simply drop the last two numbers of you bib number (available on the confirmation list) and you will get the number of minutes you will start after Wave 1. For example bib number 645 will start at 7:06, bib number 1347 will start at 7:13.

Procedure:

Manitou Ave east of the starting line will be divided into three zones: The 1st Stating Area, the 2nd Staging Area, and the Starting Area.

As each wave departs, runners for the successive waves waves will be escorted from the 1st staging area into the 2nd, and then finally into the starting area. There will be signs at the start of each zone indicating what bib numbers should be in that zone, and volunteers will be available to assist runners with questions.

Parking Overview

Nearby parking is limited so plan your travel time accordingly so you make the 7am race start. By 5am on both Saturday and Sunday, Manitou Avenue will be closed to all traffic 1/2 mile east of the start and 1/4 mile to the west. There is no parking on Manitou Avenue in the closed areas or between the start and Ruxton Ave. Cars in violation of notices will be towed by Manitou Springs Police Department!

Parking Do’s

Read signs!

Pay for enough time if you are in a paid spot or lot! Ascent runners need to count shuttle time.

Parking Don’ts

Don’t park next to a yellow curb!

Don’t park in a green loading zone!

Don’t park next to a fire hydrant!

Don’t park illegally anywhere!

Don’t block people in their driveways!

Parking Areas

Below are some of the larger parking areas. Please start with these! Once full you can also find parking on side streets. But again, don’t block people in their drives and don’t park illegally!

Manitou City Parking Lot

10 Old Mans Trail

Lots of parking on Sunday.Limited parking on Saturday. Only 200 yards from race start! 

Briarhurst Manor

404 Manitou Avenue

Use West end only! Follow the directions of the parking attendants. Lots of parking about 1/4 mile from race start.

Park to the west and walk out the gate and you are about 2 minutes from the race start! 

Manitou Springs High School and Middle School (Saturday and Sunday only)

401, 415 El Monte Pl

Tons of parking about 1/2 mile from race start.

Walk or run back down the hill and you are only 3 minutes from the race start! 

Manitou Avenue East

Park along the side of the road where permitted. 

Manitou Springs Paid Parking Lots

Three fairly large $1+ per hour paid parking lots only a couple of minutes walk from the start or Marathon finish. Be sure and pay for enough time to account for your trip down if doing the Ascent. 

Race Rules:

Runners may not start before their assigned wave.

Entries or Bibs may not be transfered to anybody else.

Headphones AND external speakers are prohibited in the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon.

Headphones are prohibited! (We mean it!)

You must be at least 16 years old on race day to compete.

Poles, walking sticks, and such are prohibited. An allowance will be made for visually impaired athletes to use a pole as an assistive device to gage the depth of step ups and downs.

Trash, cups, gel packets, etc. must be disposed of within the trash zones at the aid stations.

Do not run or walk abreast in pairs or groups when it will impede other runners.

No dogs, horses, or animals of any type are permitted.

Slower runners must stay on the uphill side of the trail so faster runners may pass.

In the marathon, downhill runners have the right of way — uphill runners must yield to downhill runners.

In the marathon, runners may change apparel/gear at the summit. However, the race committee will not and can not be involved in providing or transporting the apparel/gear.

As a participant in the Pikes Peak Ascent and/or Marathon, you are subject to drug testing pursuant to USADA standards and procedures, and you acknowledge this notification and your willingness to be so tested.

The Race Director, may, at his discretion, grant exceptions to any of the above rules to account for unusual or extraordinary circumstances.

Things that will earn you a Disqualification (you really don't want that):

Starting in an earlier than assigned wave.

Using a race number assigned to another person. Both the runner and the person who gave away their number will be banned from future races!

Wearing headphones or making use of external speakers attached to an MP3 or similar device (iPod, Smartphone, walkman, etc)

Failing to submit to drug testing if requested.

Un-sportsmanlike conduct.

Verbal abuse of other runners or volunteers.

Completing only the ascent portion of the Marathon.

Failing to comply with directives of race officials.

Cutting switchbacks on Barr Trail.

Taking oxygen prior to the completion of the race (even if medically necessary).

Throwing trash, cups, gel packets, etc. on or off the trail outside of the trash zones at the aid stations.

Cut-Off & Finish Line Closing Times

Intermediate Cut-Offs:

For your safety and the safety of the race support personnel, there are cut-off times (mandatory turnaround times) at Barr Camp, the A-frame, and, for the Marathon, at the summit. If you do not make the cut-off times, you will not be allowed to continue the race. There are no exceptions!

On-Course cutoff times are based on the time of day and are NOT adjusted for a runner's assigned start wave.

Finish Line Closing:

Any one who does not cross the finish line by the closing time will not be counted or listed as a finisher. No exceptions!

Closing times are as follows:

Ascent: 6h30m from starting time (e.g. 1:30pm for Wave 1 starters, 1:52 for wave 22)

Marathon: 10 hours from wave starting time (e.g. 5:00pm for Wave 1 starters, 5:10 for wave 10)