Tommy Manning, Nancy Hobbs and Ron Ilgen put in some reconnaissance miles on the Pikes Peak Highway in advance of the inaugural Pikes Peak Road Ascent, set for 8 a.m. Aug. 28. Manning is one of the top mountain runners in the country. Hobbs is the executive director of the American Trail Running Association, and Ilgen is race director for the Triple Crown of Running.
The trio began their run at the Pikes Peak Highway toll gate and recorded their mile split times. The info will be used to position five support stations along the route.
Video interview here ... http://www.pikespeaksports.us/video/race-organizers-discuss-the.
The 11.6-mile course gains 3,675 feet and ends at Glen Cove (11,425), just below treeline on the northern flanks of Pikes Peak. For more info about the new race, see http://www.trailrunner.com/events/pp_road_ascent.htm.
Running at a comfortable pace (for an elite runner) Manning finished in 1 hour, 42 minutes. He said the winning time should be about 1:36. The top women should finish in about 1:50.