This story has been archived from the Monday, August 22, 2005
Carpenter sets mark in Leadville ultramarathon
By DAVID RAMSEY Matt Carpenter roared to victory and a course record over the weekend at the Leadville 100. On Sunday, he completed his two-day Race Across the Sky in 15 hours, 42 minutes and 59 seconds. Carpenters victory in the 100-mile ultramarathon could speed his return to the Pikes Peak Marathon, which he has won six times. Carpenter drove back to Manitou Springs, where he lives, a few hours after his Leadville victory. He spent Sunday afternoon at the Pikes Peak Marathon finish, mingling with friends and former opponents. He has not run in the Pikes Peak Marathon since his 2003 victory. I have no reason to return to Leadville, Carpenter said after shattering Paul Dewitts mark of 17:16:19, set last year. When I finished, I said, Oh man, never again. He paused. But its too early to say for sure. In last years Leadville 100, Carpenter, stricken with leg pain, was forced to walk the final 33 miles. His performance gnawed at him for a year. On Sunday, he crafted a complete transformation. Its what I hoped for, Carpenter said of his victory. Dan Vega of Colorado Springs finished second in the Leadville 100 in 19:03:01. Jeffrey Tiegs of Fort Carson was eighth in 20:37:55, and Harry Harcrow of Woodland Park was 10th in 21:07:54.
Copyright 2005, The Gazette, a division of Freedom Colorado Information. All rights reserved. Used with permission. |