Pikes Peak Marathon

Registration opens March 1 each year and is first-come, first-served. The Forest Service sets a capacity limit for trail access, so the race closes when it fills. Set a reminder and sign up early if you want a spot.

No. The course is not USATF certified and does not qualify for Boston. This race is in a category of its own.

The course climbs roughly 7,815 feet from Manitou Springs at 6,300 feet to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, then descends the same route back. There is no net elevation change, but the sustained climb and the altitude make this one of the most demanding courses in the country.

The time limit is 10 hours. Given the altitude, terrain, and total elevation gain, finishing well within that window still represents a serious physical effort.

Late September in Manitou Springs typically starts cool, in the low 40s, with afternoon highs in the mid-60s lower on the mountain. Conditions on the summit can be completely different, with wind, cold, and possible snow. Layering and carrying a shell are strongly recommended.

The field is capped by the Forest Service permit. Recent finisher counts have been around 700, making this an intimate race by most marathon standards.

Yes. Manitou Springs sits at around 6,300 feet, and the summit climbs to over 14,000 feet. Spending a few days at elevation before the race gives your body time to adjust and can meaningfully affect how you feel on the upper mountain.