Source: http://www.skyrunning.com/

American Matt Carpenter does it again and wins the 55th Pikes Peak Marathon for the fifth time in a row, closing in 3h51’34”.  Keri Nelson from Utah won the women’s title for the second time in 4h34’24” after placing fourth in the Ascent race the day before! 

World Series participants fared well  however, with Italian Cecilia Mora in second place, the favourite of Festival Red Fox Elbrus Race 2010, - American Megan Kimmel - third and Spaniard Laia Andreu fourth in the women’s field.  Spaniards Jordi Bes was third and Tofol Castañer sixth.

Megan Kimmel


Megan Kimmel on the Elbrus Peak

Carpenter and Nelson dominated the race from start to finish and, with 2,382m vertical climb to the summit of Pikes Peak at 4,302m, the more acclimatized local runners had an edge over outsiders struggling with the altitude. Carpenter was followed closely by Daryn Parker who crossed the line 83 seconds later to close in 3h52’57” and Jordi Bes,  third in 3h54’26”.

Tofol Castañer, (Salomon Santiveri Outdoor Team) recently performing well, was not on top form in yesterday’s race.  With his sixth place he still maintains the World Series leadership however, with 316 points.

Laia Andreu, (Selecció Catalana) in second place at four miles from  the finish,  took a wrong turn at an intersection which cost her not only her position, but precious ranking points with Cecilia Mora (Valedtudo Skyrunning Italy) and Megan Kimmel overtaking her. Her complaint was not accepted and she had to settle for fourth place.

Meanwhile, back in Italy at the Red Rock SkyMarathon® World Series Trial, reigning world champion Emanuela Brizio won hands down, maintaining her position at the top of the ranking. 5h34’45” was her winning time in the blistering heat on the 43 km course set in the Stelvio National Park. In second place, crossing the finish line 13’10” later, was Spaniard Nerea Ambilibia, ranked second in the Series.  Italian Emanuela Gregorini was third.

Italians Michele Tavernaro won the men’s category in 4h31’54” with Fabio Bonfanti second and Maurizio Fenaroli third.

The Skyrunner® World Series  moves on to Scotland for the Ben Nevis Race on September 4 folllowed by the Carrera della Sagra in Granada, Spain on September 11 and the Avila SkyRace® in Venezuela on September 12 - all trials.  The last chance to gain race points will be on September 19 at the massive 43 km Sentiero delle Grigne SkyMarathon® in Italy, before the final in Malaysia with the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon on October 23/24 where World Series participants gain an extra 20% on their position.

 

Pikes Peak race results

Red Rock Marathon results