History
The history of the race dates to 1956 when three smokers challenged ten non-smokers to compete the over-26-mile (42 km) race. None of the three smokers completed the course. In 1966 a well-organized marathon was initiated, making the race the third-oldest marathon in the United States.
In 1959, Arlene Pieper became the first woman to enter and complete a marathon in the United States when she finished the Pikes Peak Marathon.
The most successful athletes in the history of the marathon are Matt Carpenter, outright record holder and winner of the marathon on eleven occasions, and Erica Larson, who has won the women's race five times.
The Pikes Peak Ascent race has twice incorporated the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge competition, first in 2006 then again in 2010.
Read more about this topic: Pikes Peak Marathon
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