Fountain Valley High School teacher Tommy Manning leads the charge at the start of the Big Mountain Trail Run half marathon.

PHOTOS: Start of the half, 10K and 5K ** Gallery 1 ** Gallery 2
VIDEO, Start of the half marathon** Interview with men's half winner Tommy Manning ** Interview with women's half winner Christine Bailey **Start of the 10K

Tommy Manning, 37, of Colorado Springs, took an early lead and never trailed on Sunday in the Big Mountain Trail Run Half Marathon in Cheyenne Cañon

A three-time member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team, Manning finished in 1:32:23. Soren Frykholm, 20, of Leadville, was second in 1:36:18, followed by Matt Trumbull (34, Leadville, 1:37:52.)

The course provided some steep challenges, including the wall-like switchbacks of Columbine Trail on the northern face of Cheyenne Cañon, and a leg-stinging surge over Tunnel No. 3 on Gold Camp Road. Manning wondered when it would end.

"They switched the course up this year," Manning said. "I think it's a lot tougher."

In the women's half, Christine Bailey, 38, of Denver, won in 1:57:36.

She said said she never expected to win, but when she made the turn at the halfway point, her long strides took over.

"I love downhills," she said. "I have these long legs that help me."

Bailey finished with a time of 1:57:36. Gwen Rudy, 19, of Leadville, was second in 1:58, 57, with Jennifer Price (36, Colorado Springs, 1:59:29) in third.

The Big Mountain Adventure Racing team hosted the event, which included 10K and 5K races.

Steve Sowell, 40, of Colorado Springs won the men's 10K in 46:29:16. Jake Richmond, 25, Colorado Springs was second in 46:40, followed by John Pirkins (30, Boulder, 47:04).

Colorado Springs' Laura Burch, 35, captured the top spot in the women's 10K with a 49:41:67. Kristie Lemond (46, Colorado Springs, 59:06) was second, while Daisy Keresey (30, Colorado Springs, 59:43) gave chase in third place.

In the 5K, Tyler King (Colorado Springs, 23:58:56) and Jessica Emmons (29, Colorado Springs, 29:05:47) won the men's and women's races.

Ian Thomas (17, Colorado Springs, 24:07) and Nick Hartbauer (29, Divide, 29:00) finished second and third in the men's 5K.

Erin Fritz (30, Colorado Springs, 30:06) and Tabatha Hayes (25, Divide, 32:58) were second and third in the women's 5K.