Carpenter sets mark in Leadville ultramarathon
Posted Tuesday, 23 August, 2005
David Ramsey
8/21/2005
Leadville, CO
Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Gazette
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.
Carpenter's 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 Dewitt's mark of 17:16:19, set last year. "When I finished, I said, 'Oh man, never again.'"
He paused.
"But it's too early to say for sure."
In last year's 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.
"It's 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.
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