PHOTOS: 2023 Pikes Peak Ascent

Swiss runner Rémi Bonnet cheers as he crosses the finish line, breaking the Pikes Peak Ascent record of 2:01:06 set in 1993 with a time of 2:00:20 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Bonnet said he has his sights set on running the race in under two hours next. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Sophia Laukli, right, the female champion of this year’s Pikes Peak Ascent hugs Judith Wyder who came in second at the summit of Pikes Peak following the race on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. “Thank you so much, you made the race for me,” Laukli said as the pair embraced. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners walk toward the Pikes Peak Summit Visitors Center after finishing the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Colorado runner Kieran Nay becomes emotional after crossing the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. With tears welling in his eyes, Nay talked about his recovery from a broken foot last year. “The whole dream came crashing down. There was a time I accepted that maybe it wouldn’t get better, and to come back to a race like this that’s super meaningful and do well, I feel like I’m kind of back on the path,” he says. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Katie Sena poses for a portrait at the summit of Pikes Peak following the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. At 17-years-old Sena was the youngest competitor this year. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Spectators hold signs for a runner at the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners warm up before the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Utah runner Sophia Laukli crosses the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Laukli was the first female finisher with a time of 2:35:54. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Spectators ring cowbells and cheer for runners at the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Medals for competitors hang at the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runner cast shadows on the pavement as they take off from the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Kenyan runners Patrick Kipngeno celebrates as he approaches the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Kipngeno finished second overall in the race. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Colorado runner Seth DeMoor crosses the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Roberto Delorenzi, left, and Joseph Gray race to the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Utah runner Sophia Laukli approaches the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Laukli was the first female finisher with a time of 2:35:54. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Swiss runner Rémi Bonnet near the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Bonnet broke the 30-year-old record of 2:01:06, set my Matt Carpenter, with a time of 2:00:20. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Swiss runner Rémi Bonnet after breaking the Pikes Peak Ascent record in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sept. 16. Bonnet broke the 30-year-old record of 2:01:06, set my Matt Carpenter, with a time of 2:00:20.091623-sports-Ascent 22.JPG (Parker Seibold)

Spectators are framed by runners as they take off from the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners wait at the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners take off from the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16. (photos by Parker Seibold, the courier)

Swiss runner Rémi Bonnet makes his way up some of the final switchbacks of the Pikes Peak Ascent in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Bonnet broke the 30-year-old record of 2:01:06, set my Matt Carpenter, with a time of 2:00:20. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners take off from the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

A spectator rings a cowbell at the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Sept. 16. (photos by Parker Seibold, the courier)

Colorado runner Eli Hemming, right, fist bumps another runner before the start of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Animal tracks in the snow at the summit of Pikes Peak during the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

The first wave of runners takes off from the starting line at the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

The first wave of runners wait at the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners take off from the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Brian Whitfield warms up before the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

The first wave of runners gathers at the starting line before the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Fire trucks pull through the starting area of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners warm up for the Pikes Peak Ascent as the sun rises on the peak on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, center, at the starting line of the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Runners warm up before the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)

Joshua Hudson stretches before the Pikes Peak Ascent on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) (Parker Seibold)