The Pikes Peak Ascent kicked off today at 7 a.m. local time. Toeing the start line on the streets of Manitou Springs, Colorado amounts to a singular moment for the many who join the deeply competitive field each year. The objective is straightforward but daunting: climb the requisite 7,815 feet to the finish line just below the Pikes Peak summit at 14,050’ faster than everyone else. The 13.32-mile course up the well-known Barr Trail averages — averages — an 11% grade. And that’s the way it’s been for 66 years. As part of this year’s Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) (goldentrailseries), this edition of the Ascent saw a stacked field take off under an unobstructed sun and cool temperatures. While the Pikes Peak Marathon has previously been featured in the GTWS, the switch was made to the shorter race this year to allow competitors better race again at the next GTWS race at the Flagstaff Sky Peaks in Arizona next weekend. A wrinkle in the Pikes Peak Ascent prize purse: anyone who clock...