Pikes Peak Marathon
Manitou Springs, United States • 19-20 Sep 2026
Pikes Peak Marathon
The Pikes Peak Marathon is a mountain running event founded in 1956. It is described as the oldest continually held marathon in the United States. The marathon route begins in Manitou Springs, Colorado, climbs the east face of Pikes Peak on the Barr Trail to the summit at 14,115 feet, and returns to Manitou Springs for a total distance of 26.2 miles. The ascent portion of the races gains about 7,800 feet of elevation.
The Pikes Peak Ascent is a related event that finishes at the summit. The Ascent covers 13.3 miles along the same trail. The Ascent was formerly held on the same day as the Marathon and became a separate event in the 1980s.
The course is not uniform in grade; some sections vary markedly. The overall ascent portion involves sustained uphill running and occurs at high elevation, where the oxygen level decreases as elevation increases. These conditions place notable physiological demands on participants.
The event is hosted in Manitou Springs, which is about 16 miles from the Colorado Springs Airport and about 90 miles from the Denver International Airport. The 2026 event dates are September 19 and September 20, with registration opening March 1. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.