Alex Nichols and Kierann Toth captured the wins at Bear Creek Park and are now the runners to beat in the Pikes Peak Road Runners' Fall Series.
Nichols finished the difficult 4.5-mile trail run in Bear Creek Park in 27 minutes, 21 seconds. He trailed two-time series defending champ Robby Young early in the race, but hit the tricky rope-climb section in the lead, then sprinted to the win. Young finished second, two ticks behind, with Pete Maksimow placing third.
Toth won her third race in nine days. While other runners lost time on the steep and muddy ropes section, she powered up to win in 33:31.Crystal Goecker, a former Fall Series champ, was second in 34:30. Eva Hagen placed third in 34:51.