Drug tests in store for top Ascent and Marathon runners

Manitou Springs resident Matt Carpenter won the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon so often, his name is synonymous with the races.

He owns the top times in both, feats that have withstood the challenges of many younger runners.

For the record, Carpenter said he never used performance-enhancing drugs. But as the sports of cycling and baseball have been tarnished by doping, he agrees it’s time for these fabled races up and down Pikes Peak to start testing.

“In this day and age, nobody’s above suspicion and you hope you don’t catch anybody,” said Carpenter, who is taking a couple of years off from the races. “It would be a little bit too naive to think nobody is doing it, but there’s not a whole lot in this sport as far as mega millions.”

Race organizers announced Tuesday that six runners from the Marathon and four from the Ascent will be picked randomly from among the top 10 in each race to submit urine samples after finishing.

The Ascent, to be run Aug. 17, goes 13.32 miles and 7,815 feet up Barr Trail from Manitou Springs to the summit. Marathon runners race up and down the mountain Aug. 18.

Race director Ron Ilgen said there have been no accusations or suspicions of doping in past races. But organizers last year began offering new cash prizes, including bonuses of up to $5,000 for setting course records, attracting elite trail runners from around the world.

“We have serious prize money there and we want to make sure the competitors are legitimate and when they set a record, it was a legitimate record,” he said.

Runners randomly selected will have to wait until tests are completed, up to six weeks, before collecting any prize money.

Testing will follow the guidelines of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Visit usada.org/athletes for more information on testing and banned substances.

Registration for the races begins Wednesday. The Marathon usually fills the first day, while the Ascent can take a few weeks.