This story has been archived from the Sunday, August 20, 2006

Pikes Peak Marathon vs. The Toughest Marathons in the World

Compiled By JAYME RAMSON
THE GAZETTE

PIKES PEAK MARATHON

Where: Starts and finishes in Manitou Springs

When: 3rd Sunday in August

Elevation: Starts at 6,295 feet. Competitors race to the 14,115-foot summit and back to Manitou Springs.

Winning time: 3:58:49 in 2005 (course record is 3:16:39)

What’s tough: Competitors must meet cutoff times throughout the race or they’re sent back down the mountain. Racers face rough terrain and the threat of lightning above tree line.

What’s not: Half the race is downhill. Long portions of the trail around Barr Camp are relatively flat.

TENZING HILLARY EVEREST MARATHON

Where: Mount Everest in Nepal

When: May

Elevation: Start at Everest Base Camp (17,593 feet) and finish at Namache Bazaar (11,283 feet).

Winning time: 3:28:27 in 2006

What’s tough: The 6,310-foot drop in elevation during the race might seem helpful, but the thin air and the rough terrain negates it. Competitors can’t show up at the starting line on race day — the event requires a two week trip during which athletes hike and camp on the way to the race’s starting line.

What’s not: Surprisingly, the weather. While night temperatures might dip into the teens, race temperatures range from 50 degrees to 68 degrees.

ANTARCTIC ICE MARATHON

Where: Antarctica. Starting line is a few hundred miles from the South Pole.

When: December

Elevation: 3,300 feet

Winning time: 5:09:38 in 2005

What’s tough: Snow, ice, strong winds and sub-zero temperatures throughout the race. The entry fee is tough to cover if you’re on a tight budget — it’s $15,000.

What’s not: Finding some ice for sore muscles after the race.

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU MARATHON

Where: Cuzco, Peru (Southern Peruvian Andes)

When: May

Elevation: Starts at 8,000 feet. The route includes three high passes: Dead Woman’s Pass (13,779 feet), the pass above the Runkuraqay ruins (13,100) and the pass above the Phuyupatamarca ruins (11,939). The altitude at the finish line at Machu Picchu is 7,872 feet.

Winning time: 5:51 in 2006

What’s tough: The rocky, uneven downhill parts of the Inca Trail could result in a nasty spill with the smallest misstep. The climbs aren’t too friendly either. Competitors often stray off the main trail — sometimes ending up in the jungle. Temperatures range from below freezing (in the passes) to the 90s (near Machu Picchu and the tropical forest).

What’s not: Runners stop and fill their water bottles along the way. Taking a break doesn’t make you a wimp in this race.

THE GREAT WALL MARATHON

Where: Tianjin Province, China

When: May

Winning time: 3:38:06 in 2006

What’s tough: Steep ascents, steep descents and over 3,700 stone steps. There’s no shade on this course.

What’s not: Part of the course is run on flat roads through villages and rice fields.

SAHARAMARATHON

Where: Tindouf, Algeria

When: February

Winning time: 3:06:55 in 2006

What’s tough: Mouthfuls of sand should be expected during this race. Climate extremes are harsh.

What’s not: Friendly crowds. Competitors race through Saharawi refugee camps where plenty of spectators cheer them (entry fees are donated to the refugee organizations).

Copyright 2006, The Gazette, a division of Freedom Colorado Information. All rights reserved. Used with permission.