Aug. 16, 2011 - Contact: Ron Ilgen, Race Director, 719-963-9014, rpilgen@gmail.com, race website

56^th Running of Pikes Peak Marathon

and Ascent set for this weekend

Triple Crown of Running inviting media and public to

meet elite runners at  press conference, 1 p.m. Thursday

When sports fans from around the globe turn their attention to the Pikes Peak Region for the opening stage of the new USA Pro Cycling Challenge on Aug. 22, they’re going to discover much more. They’ll see an active community of runners that loves to test itself on the face of Pikes Peak. They’ll see athletes push themselves in two of the world’s most prestigious trail races  … The Pikes Peak Ascent and Pikes Peak Marathon.

It all happens this weekend, and we’re going to kick it off with a press conference at 1 p.m. Thursday at Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs. Some of the top U.S. and international mountain runners along with race organizers will be there to answer your questions.

The Pikes Peak Ascent, a 13.32-mile race that begins in Manitou Springs and climbs the famous Barr Trail to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, begins at 7 a.m. Saturday. The Pikes Peak Marathon, which takes runners to the peak’s summit and back to Manitou Springs, will start at 7 a.m. Sunday.

This year’s events promise to be extremely competitive. The Pikes Peak Ascent will feature one of the toughest fields ever assembled, including 2011 U.S. Mountain Running team members, Max King of Bend, Ore., Tommy Manning of Colorado Springs, and Ricky Gates of Woody Creek.

In the marathon, 11-time winner Matt Carpenter, 47, of Manitou Springs, has registered to defend his title. Daryn Parker (who has placed second in each of the last two years) will be there to challenge him.

In the women’s Ascent, Kim Dobson of Aurora, who placed second last year, will seek her first win on Pikes Peak, while the women’s marathon field looks to be wide open with no clear favorite.

Representatives from the new Pikes Peak Road Ascent race, scheduled for Aug. 28, will be on hand to talk about their exciting event. Beer from Bristol Brewing and sandwiches will be served.

More information will be e-mailed to you this week. Hope to see you on Thursday!

Some good links: Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon Information Booklet; 2011 Pikes Peak Ascent competitors; 2011 Pikes Peak Marathon competitors