TRIUMPH DEVELOPMENT Vail Pass Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

13.7 miles/3,156 feet of ascent. No flats, no downs just a long run up!

I ran well. I had no preconceived idea of how fast I could run this course. To be honest, I was a little conservative because I ride my bike up this pass regularly and I thought that it would be harder than it was. Also, I have a bike TT up the pass in the morning and a HIM next weekend. At the start the elites took off and a second group formed. I was in the back of the second group but didn't want to push it. I didn't pass anyone until about the 4th mile and I got passed around the 5th mile. I re-passed this person at 6 and dropped him. I was happy to hit the 6 mile mark in 42:09. I think that was pretty quick for the first 6 - I was hoping to go under 45, so I exceeded my expectations there. From 6 the grade up the pass sharpens. I was feeling good but couldn't pass anyone. At Mile 10 (the steepest section) I passed a great triathlete from the Western Slope of CO and put a lot of distance on him. From there I closed the gap on the next two guys but couldn't quite catch them. I felt great at 10,000 feet and was running fairly effortlessly. I hit 13.1 miles in a respectable 1:42 so that was cool too. When I finished new that I left a little on the course but felt great about my effort.

I could have run the first half harder and maybe cracked the top ten. It was very difficult to catch runners on the steep second half. Still, considering that this is just a "fun" race to prepare me for IM Kansas 70.3 next week, I'm stoked

Nada... ran into my buddy Rachel who was at the top with her hubby. Talked to some of the runners and then loaded up on the bus to head back down the mountain. I would have ran back if I wasn't racing tomorrow. I felt that fresh!


Mental anguish about how hard I anticipated some of the steep pitches to be.


I cannot say enough about this race! Absolutely awesome and a great value! $35 entry, the BEST goodie bag anywhere. I got a high quality tech shirt in MY SIZE, a visor, two types of sunglasses chums, a Nalgene bottle, Natural dog food, a bunch of little munchies by Naked and on and on... Also, the field was stacked with awesome runners including the legendary Matt Carpenter - arguably the greatest uphill runner in the world and of all time, Ricky Gates, Simon Gutierrez - Both former USAT Mountain Runners of the Year, Duncan Callahan - Winner of the Leadville 100 and more! A total thrill!