Editor's note: This info was previously e-mailed to all registered participants in the 2017 Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent

Oh beautiful for spacious skies...
A trip in a horse-drawn wagon to the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893 inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write these words. She returned that day to Colorado Springs and penned the famous poem "America the Beautiful." Today, it is one of the country’s cherished patriotic songs, and here in the shadow of the mountain these words resonate personally.
You’ll feel that inspiration, too, on Aug. 19 and 20, at the 62nd running of the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. Are you ready to run Pikes Peak? The mountain is waiting. Summer rains have been generous and Colorado’s Front Range is divine. We have a big show planned this year, beginning Thursday, Aug. 17, with the Pikes Peak Run Fest & Expo.

Pikes Peak Run Fest: Running to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak has always been exceptional, but the camaraderie shown each year at the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent makes the event truly special.
Come out and connect with old friends and new at the third annual Pikes Peak Run Fest, 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. We're bringing the party home to Memorial Park in Manitou Springs this year with live music, local beer and food. The run fest will serve as the kickoff for the Pikes Peak Marathon Expo. The event is free and everyone is invited.
Runners can pick up their race packets at the Run Fest. And be the first in line for our official Ascent and Marathon apparel sale. Swing by and say hello to our race sponsors and vendors. and then rock out to Austin Young’s slick blues guitar.
Whether you're new to running or a longtime veteran of our unique mountain-running culture, this is the perfect way to start your marathon weekend.
The Expo and packet pick-up continues on Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Expo begins at noon (with packet pick-up starting at 1 p.m.) and ends at 7 p.m. See ya there!

New swag: Finishers in this year's Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent are in for a special treat. Our finisher shirt is made by tasc Performance, a family owned company that has found a way to create cozy performance clothing that holds up well during activity and doesn't maintain the stink of standard polyester. The results are an ethically sourced and produced bamboo-based material that feels like a dream when you put it on.
And it gets even better This year, we brought all of our merchandising in house and we have some incredible gear for sat at the Run Fest and Expo. Tune into our Facebook page for a sneak peek.

Words of wisdom: It’s common sense, really. If you want lots of money, take your advice from a millionaire. But if you want to have a successful race on Pikes Peak, join us at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Expo to hear Pikes Peak legend Rick Trujillo’s amazing story.
In his day, nobody ran the mountain as well. The Colorado native tallied five consecutive Pikes Peak Marathon wins from 1973-77.
He is still considered one of the greatest mountain runners in the history of the sport, one of the first to discover the joy – and the pain – of running above the clouds. He has climbed multiple peaks that tower above 20,000 feet. And he helped start the Imogene Pass Run near his hometown of Ouray in 1974. He currently serves as the president of Imogene Pass Run, Inc.
We're sure you'll find Rick's words of wisdom to be entertaining and inspiring.

Running Big: If you’re up for a feel-good story, the film “Running Big” will warm your heart. In 2015,  Buck Gossard, a 64-year-old barrel-chested Indiana farmer, took on the famous Pikes Peak Double, the Ascent and Marathon, on back-to-back days.
The story follows Buck’s journey from the cornfields of America’s heartland to the top of America’s Mountain and back. Buck’s brother, David Gossard produced the documentary with a crew of family members and friends. We’ll show it on the big screen at the Expo at 6 p.m. on Friday, and 5:45 p.m. on Saturday.
This is a must-watch for anyone who has participated in the Pikes Peak races: runners, volunteers and spectators. Those unfamiliar with the event will find it to be a thorough documentation of “America’s Greatest Challenge.” Our review of the movie is here.

Visit the Pikes Peak Marathon website for more information.