2026 Pikes Peak Marathon - Sep 20

2026 Pikes Peak Marathon - Sep 20 Countdown

-- DAYS
-- HRS
-- MIN
-- SEC

Want personality modes & weather integration? Try the full countdown experience

Race Information

Race2026 Pikes Peak Marathon - Sep 20
CityManitou Springs
Date2026-09-20 at 07:00
Time Limit10 hours
Cutoff pace14:13/km
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
Official SitePikes Peak Marathon, Inc.
RegistrationRegister · 200 USD

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature14.1°C / 57°F
Humidity43%
Wind19.1 km/h
Rain Chance18%
Typical ConditionsCool, dry, high-altitude September morning in Manitou Springs that turns alpine and potentially freezing near the summit

What to Prepare: Start in Manitou Springs is mild (around 12°C / 54°F at the 7:00 a.m. gun) but the 14,115 ft summit can sit near or below freezing with wind, even in September. Dress in layers you can stash, carry gloves and a windproof shell, and respect the thin air — hydrate early and run the climb by effort, not pace.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 19.1 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 9.6°C 14.6°C 17.8°C
Dew point -4.4°C 0.6°C 5.2°C
Wet-day chance: 18% Runnability: 87/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeOut-and-back mountain trail (ascent then descent)
Elevation Gain2382m
TerrainMountain trail (Barr Trail single-track, loose gravel and rock above treeline)
ProfileOne of the toughest marathons in America, and one of the oldest (first run in 1956). From the start in Manitou Springs at about 6,300 ft, the course climbs the Barr Trail for 13.1 miles to the 14,115 ft summit of Pikes Peak, gaining roughly 7,815 ft (2,382 m), then turns and descends the same trail back to town. The route passes Barr Camp (mile 7.6, 10,200 ft) and the A-frame shelter (mile 10.2, 12,000 ft) before breaking above treeline for the final loose-gravel and broken-rock push to the summit. This is a mountain ascent-and-descent on rugged single-track, not a road race — times are far slower than a flat marathon and the course is NOT Boston-qualifying.

Prepare for 2026 Pikes Peak Marathon - Sep 20

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

View all running tools

Featured In

Best Marathon Destination Races for Travel in 2026 Most Scenic Marathon Courses in the World (2026) Best US Marathons 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Pikes Peak Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 Pikes Peak Marathon is on Sunday, September 20, 2026, with a 7:00 a.m. MDT start in front of City Hall in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The companion Pikes Peak Ascent (uphill only) is held the day before, on Saturday, September 19.

How much elevation does the Pikes Peak Marathon climb?

It is a mountain ascent-and-descent. From the start at about 6,300 ft in Manitou Springs you climb the Barr Trail 13.1 miles to the 14,115 ft summit of Pikes Peak, gaining roughly 7,815 ft (2,382 m), then descend the same trail. The high point is above treeline in thin alpine air. Map the brutal profile with our elevation profile tool.

How do you register for the Pikes Peak Marathon, and is a qualifier required?

Registration is first-come, first-served (not a lottery) and opens at 5:00 a.m. MST on March 1, 2026 via the official RunSignup page. For 2026 you do NOT need a qualifying time to enter the Marathon — a change from prior years. The early-bird fee is $200 (rising to $225 on April 1 and $250 on July 1); the race sells out and a waitlist may open.

Is the Pikes Peak Marathon a Boston qualifier or a good PR course?

No. This is a rugged mountain trail with about 7,815 ft of climbing to a 14,115 ft summit — it is not USATF/World Athletics course-certified for Boston qualifying, and finish times run far slower than a road marathon, so it is the opposite of a PR or BQ course. Come for the challenge and the alpine scenery. If a Boston time is your goal, pick a certified flat course and check the standards with our Boston Qualifying Calculator.

How hard is the Pikes Peak Marathon and what is the time limit?

It is billed as America's Ultimate Challenge and is one of the hardest marathons in the country: high altitude, thin air above treeline, and a relentless 13-mile climb followed by a steep technical descent. The overall finish limit is 10 hours, with intermediate cutoffs at Barr Camp (3:00:00) and the A-frame (4:30:00), plus a summit turnaround cutoff of 6:15:00 — miss the summit deadline and you are turned back without an official finish.

What should I wear and how do I handle the altitude?

Dress for two climates. The Manitou Springs start near 6,300 ft is mild, but the 14,115 ft summit can be near or below freezing with wind, even in September. Carry a windproof shell, gloves, and a stashable layer, plus trail shoes for loose gravel and rock up high. Arrive a few days early to acclimatize if you can, hydrate aggressively in the dry air, and run the climb by effort — altitude makes any pace feel harder.

How old is the Pikes Peak Marathon and how is the course laid out?

First run in 1956, it is one of the oldest marathons in the United States. The course is a single out-and-back on the Barr Trail: 13.1 miles up to the summit, then back down the same path. It passes Barr Camp (mile 7.6, 10,200 ft) and the A-frame shelter (mile 10.2, 12,000 ft) before climbing the final 3 miles above treeline over loose gravel and broken rock to the 14,115 ft top.

More Marathon Countdowns

View all marathons