Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

By JOE PAISLEY, THE GAZETTE

Matt Carpenter can feel the youngsters nipping at his heels, and knows them, nagging injuries and time will eventually lead to someone else emerging as overall champion at the Pikes Peak Marathon.

Until then, the Manitou Springs resident is happy to add to his legacy.

Carpenter won his fifth marathon in a row in an unofficial time of 3 hours, 51 minutes, 34 seconds to claim his record 11th in yet another command performance on America’s Mountain. Keri Nelson of Moab, Utah won her second women’s marathon title in 4:34:24.

Watch a photo slideshow of the Marathon.

Carpenter ran a strong ascent leg to the summit (14,115 feet) before Daryn Parker, 29, also of Manitou, closed the gap to almost a minute with five miles to go downhill. Carpenter, 46, soon pulled away to lead by two minutes on his way to winning by 83 seconds. Parker finished in 3:52:57.

Three falls, especially the last when he twisted his right ankle, kept Parker from making a charge.

“After three diggers, my confidence was shook up,” Parker said. “I was not ready to attack the switch-backs.”

Check out another photo gallery from the race.

Carpenter was able to cruise into downtown Manitou Springs, slapping fans’ outstretched hands along Manitou Ave. The hard part, the downhill, was over.

“Going up felt pretty good but it was hard reaching that delicate balance going downhill with the groin hurting,” he said. “I’d go slow for a minute and push it hard for another.”

Watch a race video.

Nelson looked just as casual in the final few thousand feet en route to winning her second title in three years in 4:34.24 and her first women’s double championship. She skipped the 2009 run. Nelson placed fourth in her first try at the Ascent (2:46.19) on Saturday.

“It went surprisingly well,” said Nelson, who is originally from Gunnison.. “I’d like to see how fast I can do the marathon next year without doing the Ascent.”

Tim Parr, 28, of Gunnison claim the men’s double title over Jim Mallory, 43, of Conifer.

The increasing number of top-end runners in their 20s competing is great for the sport, Carpenter said. It’s also reason for him to worry because he’s not ready to lose his crown before he’s decides to retire. He’s too much of a competitor to allow that.

“Hell no,” he said. “When it happens, I hope it’s one of the young guys.”

Will it be Parker who topples Carpenter? Ascent winner Glenn Randall, 23, prevailed in record time while Barr Trail champ Ryan Hafer, 24, looks like someone Parker, who placed second to Carpenter in 2009, will have to battle for some time. There may not be one top dog for years at a time when Carpenter puts away his shoes for good.

“You can only do this so long before it’s over,” Carpenter said. “I’m happy that another Manitou guy finished second. Maybe he’ll pick it up. It gives me hope for the future of the sport. But I’m not ready to say it’s over.”