Pikes Peak Ascent

This last weekend, George completed another half-marathon. This half-marathon is not for the feint of heart or physically weak. A few facts about the event:

• Elevation gain (start to summit) is 7,815' (2,382 meters)
• The start is at 6,300' (1,920m) and the summit is 14,115' (4,302m).
  
• The Ascent has very few stretches which are not going uphill with the average percent grade being 11%.
• The elevation thins the oxygen levels and the quantity of O2 drops.
• At the summit, air density is 43% less than at sea level.
• The weather is unpredictable. Chilling rain, snow and sleet showers, high winds and dramatic temperature changes frequently occur in August.
• The possibility of lightning poses the single greatest threat to runners, especially above treeline. Race officials have turned people back due to lightning.

With that being said, George did great! He ran up a mountain and survived to tell the tale!

Near the starting line. You can see Pikes Peak in the background, about 13 miles to the summit.

Before the race and nervously anticipating the most physically challenging run he's ever encountered.

Victory! Man vs. Mountain, George won!

Check out the salt collection he's got going there!

A map of the course.