Aid Station Challenge

A Race that Gives Back

Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run® is a race that is committed to giving back to the community.  Each year, participating runners and the race organization contribute thousands of dollars to give back to area high schools and the Garden of the Gods Park. In 2023, the Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run® donated over $15,000 to support participating high school track/cross country teams and the preservation of the Garden trails!

 

The Challenge

Each aid stations on the course is staffed by high school cross country and track teams. Throughout the race, these teams compete to provide the best aid station experience to the runners.  At the finish line runners vote for their favorite aid station. The winning school is awarded the top prize for their school’s running program and an automatic spot in the following year’s challenge.  Second through sixth are awarded donations for their programs as well.  The Aid Station Challenge has become so popular, we have schools supporting with Parking and Course Marshal teams as well. Every team wins!

How You Can Help

When you register you can donate to the Challenge and our race organization, Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc. will match the runner donations. This is important because many teams get next to nothing for their programs. Together we can help a team send their runners to an out of area meet or get new uniforms.

High School Team Registration

If you are a High School Track or Cross Country team coach and would like to have a chance for your your team to participate in the Garden of the Gods Aid Station Challenge, please see the team registration page.

2023 Winners

For the 2nd year in a row, Doherty comes in for the win! Sporting their 80’s Hair Band theme, Doherty is at the top winning $1,480!

 

2nd Place: Air Academy High School, 70’s ($1,380)

3rd Place: The Classical Academy, Patriotic ($1,380)

4th Place: Manitou High School, Caddyshack ($1,185)

Mesa Ridge: Trail Course Marshals ($1,185)

St. Mary’s: Base Support ($1,185)

Past Aid Station Challenge Results

2022 Winners

“Welcome to Jurassic Park” – Doherty’s T-Rex dinos and team ran to the top for the $1,382 win!

 

2nd Place: St. Mary’s High School, “PacMan” ($1,297)

3rd Place: Liberty High School, “American” ($1,212)

4th Place: Air Academy High School, “Top Gun” ($1,126)

 

Thanks to our Parking Lot Assistants and Trail Course Marshals – Woodland Park and The Clasical Academy – each receiving $1,126!

2021 Winners

It’s Pac-Man mania! After the 2020 race cancellation, St. Mary’s High School clears the maze for first place and a $2,402.80 win! 

 

2nd Place:  Peyton High School, “Hawaiian’s” ($1,501.75)

3rd Place:  Palmer High School, “Christmas in June” ($1,201.40)

4th Place:  Harrison High School, “Tie-Dye Mustaches” ($901.05)

 

Thanks to our Parking Lot Assistants and Trail Course Marshals – Cripple Creek HS and Doherty HS – each receiving $901.05!

 

2019 Winners

Great Zeus!  For a third year in a row, Widefield High School took first place and $2,112.40, this year for their “Greek Gods” themed aid station!

 

2nd Place:  Palmer High School, “Pirates” ($1,370.25)
3rd Place:  Manitou High School, “Mountain Men” ($1056.20)
4th Place:  Air Academy High School, “Balanced Rock Beach Party” ($742.15)

 

Also a big thanks (and $600) to Saint Mary’s High School for helping out at the Parking and Finish Area!

2018 Winners

The Gladiators are back!  For a second year in a row, Widefield High School took first place for their “Beach Party” aid station winning them $1,750.80!

 

2nd Place:  Palmer High School, “The Gods” ($1,144.25)
3rd Place:  Saint Mary’s High School, “Pac-Man” ($875.40)
4th Place:  Air Academy High School, “Rocky” ($606.55)

2017 Winners

Widefield High School’s “Star Wars” themed aid station won first place as well as $1,714.40.  The force is strong in these ones!

 

2nd Place:  Doherty High School, “Staying Alive” ($1,121.50)
3rd Place:  Saint Mary’s High School, “At the Beach” ($857.20)
4th Place:  Woodland Park High School, “Pirates” ($592.90)

2014 Winners

The Classic Academy makes it 3 in a row with their “Despicable Me” as they picked up $1,365.51 as well as an automatic spot in the 2015 Challenge!

 

2nd Place:  Widefield High School, “Frozen” ($853.44)
3rd Place:  Manitou Springs High School, “Dr. Seuss” ($682.75)

4th Place:  Sand Creek High School, “Old School Runner” ($512.07)

2013 Winners

The Classic Academy wins again and for their “Disco Party” they picked up $1,452.30 as well as an automatic spot in the 2014 Challenge!

 

2nd Place:  Doherty High School, “Don’t Stop Believ’n” ($907.69)
3rd Place:  Discovery Canyon High School, “Circus” ($726.15)
4th Place:  Sand Creek High School, “Super Heroes” ($544.61)

2012 Winners

The Classic Academy students had the runners “Running Like Egyptians” as they passed through their station at Ridge Road and won $1,494.84 as well as an automatic spot in the 2013 Challenge!

 

2nd Place:  Manitou Springs High School ($934.27)
3rd Place:  Woodland Park High School ($747.42)
4th Place:  Peyton High School ($560.56)

2011 Winners

Peyton High School had a “Hawaiian Luau” at Balanced Rock and won $1,607.00 and an automatic spot in the 2012 Challenge!

 

2nd Place:  The Classical Academy ($1,004.38)
3rd Place:  Doherty High School ($803.50)
4th Place:  Widefield High School ($602.63)

2010 Winners

Classical Academy won first place for their “Xmas Party” aid station and took away $1,610.08 and an automatic spot in the 2011 Challenge!

 

2nd Place:  Colorado Springs Christian School ($1,006.30)
3rd Place:  Manitou Springs High School ($805.04)
4th Place:  Sand Creek High School ($603.78)

2009 Winners

For the 3rd year in a row Cheyenne Mountain high school came out on top as the runner’s favorite aid station. This time they did it from Ridge Road with their “Under the Sea” theme. In addition to winning $1,584.45 they won a automatic spot in the 2010 Challenge!

 

2nd Place:  Doherty High School ($990.28)
3rd Place:  The Classical Academy ($792.23)
4th Place:  Woodland Park High School ($594.17)

2008 Winners

Cheyenne Mountain high school, who did the North Gateway aid station, were simply heavenly and retained their title from last year as best aid station. In addition to winning $1,699.11 they won a automatic spot in the 2009 Challenge!

2008 Winner: Cheyenne Mountain – Welcome to Heaven at the GOG10M
2nd Place:  Doherty High School ($1,061.94)
3rd Place:  Manitou Springs High School ($849.55)
4th Place:  The Classical Academy ($637.17)

2007 Winners

Congratulations to Cheyenne Mountain high school who did the Balanced Rock aid station and painted themselves green to win $1,248.90 in green as well as an automatic spot in the 2008 Challenge! “Welcome to Mars” was their theme and they also offered Ice Pops to the runners which was a huge hit as the temperatures started to rise.

2007 Winner: Cheyenne Mountain – Team Mars at the Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run

2nd Place:  Palmer High School, “Super Heroes” ($780.56)
3rd Place:  Doherty High School, “Travolta/Elvis” ($624.45)
4th Place:  Manitou Springs High School, “The Hot Ones” ($468.34)