Colorado Springs, CO – Race start photo courtesy of pikespeaksports.us.
Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series Race #2 saw low winter temps, clear skies, and falling records. The out-and-back 4 mile and 8 mile races were run on the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.
4 Mile Action
The most exciting record-breaking action was arguably in the women’s 4 mile race, where 13 year old Katie Rainsberger ran a 25:04 to break the current age-group course record by more than 5 minutes and win the race. Rainsberger is the daughter of Lisa Rainsberger (Lisa Larsen Weidenbach). At the height of her career, Rainsberger claimed back-to-back wins at the Chicago Marathon and was the last American female to win the Boston Marathon. Master’s runner Rochelle Persson set a strong pace alongside the younger Rainsberger and finished shortly behind, setting a new age-group record and taking second place in 25:23. Loveland’s Ruth Waller was third in 25:37.
James Burns won the men’s 4 mile, finishing in 20:33 and setting a new age-group course record. Runner’s Roost’s Pat McGuire was 2nd in 21:09, and Logan Wealing was 3rd in 21:11. Wealing also set a new age group record.
8 Mile Action
Boulder Running Company’s Ryan Hafer won the 8 mile race, setting a new course record, in 42:33. Justin Ricks was the previous course record-holder. Tommy Manning was 2nd in 45:42; Manning broke the previous age group course record by nearly 5 minutes. Scott Spillman was 3rd in 45:42.
In the women’s race, Runner’s Roost’s Stephanie Meredith defended her title and bested last year’s time by more than two minutes. Meredith finished the course in 53:28. Jaclyn Roberston was 2nd in 56:38; Jannelle Allen was 3rd in 57:03.