Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Pikes Peak Marathon

On Sunday Matt did the Pikes Peak Marathon. This is Matt's 2nd marathon, and a very hard one. He did great. He was concerned about even finishing as he is fighting a cold and has had some knee problems.
He is arriving home tonight with the camera, but here is a link to look at the prof photos they take for you.
http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=20952009M2&LastName=JANSEN&BibNumber=398&Mailing=23075
I really like the 3rd last pic with just him and the overlook off the edge.

2 comments:

Shepherd Snapshots said...

That pic looking over the edge is very cool. You just might have to splurge and buy that one!!
See you tomorrow.

Laura Jean said...

Congratulations Matt - what a great accomplishment for you. Great photos too. Continued success Matt on your marathon adventures.

If you are up for another challenge - here is Canada's toughest marathon. My dad has ran it twice and my sister Kathryn did the 10km run. If I remember correctly - they even have a special ceremony remembering Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope.

Arctic Bay
Nunavut Midnight Sun Marathon - July. Each year on the northern shore of Canada's Baffin Island, 720 kilometers (480 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, a group of runners gathers to challenge the treeless pass that links the Inuit village of Arctic Bay to the mining community of Nanisivik. In 1998 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Midnight Sun Marathon. On April 1, 1999, the new territory of Nunavut was created. After twenty successful years in Nanisivik, the first official marathon in Canada's newest territory was held on July 2, 2000 with the races taking place from the Inuit hamlet of Arctic Bay. This new event takes place over a somewhat different route – the dreaded "Crunch" has been replaced by an equally rugged and challenging climb and descent to the shores of Victor Bay and back. The marathon is still one of the toughest in the world. Be prepared for more of an "adventure" experience and group cooperative effort than in the past – there is no room for wimps or whiners! Starting and finishing near sea level in Arctic Bay, the marathon runners will follow the road toward Nanisivik for about 18 kilometers to an elevation of 421 meters before turning and retracing their steps to Arctic Bay, then wind their way up and over the rocky Uluksan Peninsula to the edge of Victor Bay, returning over the same route to Arctic Bay. Temperatures on race day may be from -5 °C to 10 °C, and parts of the course can be very windy. Be prepared for winter running conditions, with the ability to adjust for temperature changes as the race progresses. The hills are barren, except for a few tiny flowers that grow in the cracks of the endless expanse of rock. Distance loses all perspective. A hill that appears to be just a few kilometers away can actually be thirty kilometers distant. There is no sound, except for the wind, and virtually no sign of life. This is the season of endless daylight, when the midnight sun burns 24 hours a day. Visitors to the area may feel somewhat disoriented at first, but are soon enraptured by its breathtaking beauty.