7th WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA: preview
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More than 2.000 runners are slated to run this year's 55th Pikes Peak Ascent to be held on Saturday, August 21, in Manitou Springs, Colorado (USA). The course starts on pavement in downtown Manitou Springs and runs for approximately 1.5 miles on pavement before turning to a steep gravel path and then single track trail for the remainder of the course which totals 13.32 miles with 7.815 feet of elevation gain.
This prestigious mountain run will host the 7th annual WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge. Athletes from 19 countries are represented in the entries for the Pikes Peak events including the Pikes Peak Ascent and the Pikes Peak Marathon (which will be run on Sunday, August 22). For the WMRA World Long Distance Challenge six countries will compete in the team competition (Australia, England, Germany, Scotland, Slovenia and USA). " " Runners to watch include, Wilson Chemweno (KEN), a two-time Commonwealth Mountain Running Champion and former road race specialist, Marc Lauenstein (SUI), the defending WMRA World Long Distance Champion (held in Sö,ll, Austria/ 2009), Andy Peace (ENG), eighth-place finish in Sö,ll 2009, Marco Sturm (GER), fifth place finish in Sö,ll 2009, Timo Zeiler (GER), seventh place at the World Championships in 2008, fourth at the European Championships in 2009, two-time winner Aletsch-Halbmarathon in Switzerland, two-time winner Matterhornlauf, Switzerland. Representing Team USA, 2005 Ascent champion Ryan Hafer is sure to challenge along with teammates Rickey Gates, Eric Blake, Zac Freudenburg, and Tommy Manning. Look for Tim Parr to be a factor. Parr is last year's Ascent winner who went on to win the Leadville Trail 100 one week later.
On the women's side, Anna Frost (NZL), third place finisher at Sö,ll 2009, and winner at the WMRA Grand Prix event in Heiligenblut 2010 has been training in Boulder, Colorado, Anna Lupton and Victoria Wilkinson will both represent England, and Karen Alexander represents Ireland. USA challengers include USA team members Brandy Erholtz, Megan Kimmel, Lisa Goldsmith, and Kelli Lusk. Erholtz, Kimmel, and Goldsmith are past Ascent champions.
The top runners will vie for custom-designed awards and prize money totaling $4.000.
Officials representing the USA Track &, Field for the event include Doug Logan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mike McNees, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Jim Estes, Associate Director, Long Distance Running. Officials representing the WMRA include Bruno Gozzelino, President, and Nancy Hobbs, Treasurer.
Nancy Hobbs by WMRA
Photos:
Pikes Peak (Colorado),
race logo.
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This prestigious mountain run will host the 7th annual WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge. Athletes from 19 countries are represented in the entries for the Pikes Peak events including the Pikes Peak Ascent and the Pikes Peak Marathon (which will be run on Sunday, August 22). For the WMRA World Long Distance Challenge six countries will compete in the team competition (Australia, England, Germany, Scotland, Slovenia and USA). " "
On the women's side, Anna Frost (NZL), third place finisher at Sö,ll 2009, and winner at the WMRA Grand Prix event in Heiligenblut 2010 has been training in Boulder, Colorado, Anna Lupton and Victoria Wilkinson will both represent England, and Karen Alexander represents Ireland. USA challengers include USA team members Brandy Erholtz, Megan Kimmel, Lisa Goldsmith, and Kelli Lusk. Erholtz, Kimmel, and Goldsmith are past Ascent champions.
The top runners will vie for custom-designed awards and prize money totaling $4.000.
Officials representing the USA Track &, Field for the event include Doug Logan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mike McNees, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Jim Estes, Associate Director, Long Distance Running. Officials representing the WMRA include Bruno Gozzelino, President, and Nancy Hobbs, Treasurer.
Nancy Hobbs by WMRA
Photos:
Pikes Peak (Colorado),
race logo.
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