Rules

Race Rules

  • BIB NUMBERS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER RUNNER!
  • Runners must wear their assigned runner number on the front of their clothing in plain view during the race.
  • Poles, walking sticks, and such are prohibited.
  • The use of bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, etc. are prohibited.
  • Strollers are prohibited on the race course.
  • Trash, cups, gel packets, etc. must be disposed of within the trash zones at the aid stations.
  • Do not run or walk abreast in pairs or groups when it will impede other runners.
  • No dogs, horses, or animals of any type are permitted.
  • If you stop to take a photograph, tie your shoelace, etc. please step out of the way of the other competitors.
  • The use of headphones is strongly discouraged.

Grounds for Disqualification

  • Using a race number assigned to another person.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Verbally abusing any participant or volunteer.
  • Failing to comply with directives of race officials.
  • Cutting the course.
  • Throwing trash, cups, gel packets, etc. on or off the road outside the trash zones at the aid stations.

Cut-Off & Finish Line Closing Times

Finish Line Closing:
The finish line for all three races will close at 9:30am. Participants that finish within the cut-off time will receive a finisher’s medal. Participants that do not cross the finish line within the cut-off time will not be listed as a finisher. 

Non-Binary & Transgender Participant Policy

(Applies to all Garden to Peak Challenge races: Garden of the Gods races, Barr Trail Mountain Race, Pikes Peak Ascent, Pikes Peak Marathon)

 

RULES
The goal of this policy is to encourage participation in the Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc. (PPM, Inc.) races by all. It defines rules with an emphasis on inclusion while  respecting the rights and dignity of all participants. 

This policy will take effect for the 2025  Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon races. PPM, Inc. reserves the right to reevaluate this policy as needed to ensure it is current and equitable based upon any updated scientific research or policies of athletic governing bodies. 
 
PARTICIPANT SELF-DETERMINATION

  • A participant’s self-declared gender at registration will be accepted at face value. This policy is intended to promote inclusion  in competition; however, PPM, Inc. will maintain the integrity of the female category in competition. 
  • There shall be no basis for, nor tolerance of, any challenge to a runner’s self-declared gender unless a top 5 overall finish, master’s award, age group award, or any course record is at stake.​

NON-BINARY CATEGORY

  • We recognize that for some participants gender identity cannot be defined by the binary terms of man or woman. We refer to this group of participants as being non-binary.       
  • Our use of the term non-binary refers to persons:
    • identifying as either having a gender which is in-between or beyond the two categories of man or woman, 
    • identifying as fluctuating between man or woman, 
    • identifying as having no gender, either permanently or some of the time.
  • PPM, Inc. offers a non-binary category for all races. Our registration platform Runsignup.com supports a non-binary category, which will appear as an option when creating a Runsignup.com account. If you already have an account, you may need to edit your account. 

 

POLICY ENFORCEMENT

  • The PPM, Inc. race organization is the sole authority to review any challenge regarding the gender status of a top 3 finisher, master’s award, age group  award winner, or any course record. 
  • There shall be no basis for, nor tolerance of, any challenge to a runner’s self-declared gender unless a top 3 finish, master’s award, age group award, or any course record is at stake. Only individuals who have been directly impacted (by loss of prize money, age group award, master’s award, top-3 placing, or course record) shall have standing to submit a challenge. 
  • Challenges must be submitted online via the Challenge Form located on the website within three days of race completion. Challenges must be    submitted with discretion and with utmost respect for the privacy of all parties involved.
  • PPM, Inc. in its sole discretion, will determine whether there is a legitimate basis for challenges presented. Additionally, PPM, Inc. will verify all race results according to established policies and may initiate a challenge where warranted.

CHALLENGES

  • In the event of a challenge, PPM, Inc.  may ask the participant for documentation from a medical professional certifying that the entrant has undergone continuous, medically supervised hormone treatment for gender transition for at least two years prior to the race. 
  • Transgender participants, at their option, may provide medical documentation related to their gender transition to the PPM, Inc. organization prior to the race.
  • If the challenge is upheld (the runner in question does not meet the rules above), then the runner’s result will be vacated: a top 10 finisher award, age      group award, master’s award, or course record shall be forfeited.
  • All decisions regarding a challenge shall be in the sole discretion of the PPM, Inc. 

DRUG TESTING

  • For the purposes of USADA, WADA, USATF, WMRA and any other sanctioning bodies, athletes may be subject to sanctions consistent with the policies of these various bodies.