Van McCarty and Martha Blackwell bested the field in Sunday’s grueling Pier to Peak Half-Marathon, a race that adds 4,000 feet of elevation gain to the 13.1 mile race distance.
McCarty’s winning time was one hour, 39 minutes and 53 seconds.
Find complete results HERE
Blackwell, in 11th, led four women that placed in the top 23 overall. Blackwell won the women’s race in 1:58.47.
Two hundred and seventy-seven completed the race.
Second-place finisher Elliot Krigel and third-place finisher Michael Desmond improved from their results the year before. Krigel was sixth and Desmond fifth last year.
The race’s course fits its name perfectly, starting at Stearns Wharf and making its way past the mission on up to Gibraltar Road, ending at Gibraltar Peak.
The first four miles involve a gradual climb from the oceanfront through Santa Barbara streets and the foothills. Once the racers reach Gibraltar Road, it’s an on-again, off-again steep climb all the way to Camino Cielo Road. The final mile straddles the mountaintop towards the finish line.
It was a hot day in Santa Barbara with tempuratures topping 90 degrees. But the race got started at 6:30 a.m. and two thirds of the runners were finished by 9:30 a.m.
TWITTER COMMENTS:
Santa Barbara Pier to Peak complete! #borntorun #activelife #neveryield http://t.co/qobxLquFn6
— Michael Lohse (@mlohse) September 1, 2013
La Cumbre Peak. Beautiful day for a half marathon! Pier to Peak. 4,000ft elevation gain. #run http://t.co/5ObdFvyadz
— Christina (@geckogirl23) September 1, 2013
It picks the weekend of Pier to Peak to be the hottest weekend of the year in SB. 13.1 + 4000' climb + heat sound like fun to anyone?
— Tricia Veeder (@coolheelsSB) August 31, 2013
Pier to Peak half today. Starts at sea level, done after 13.1 miles & 4000 feet climb!!! #marathon? http://t.co/UBMnl3v0mJ
— Presidio Sports (@PresidioSports) September 2, 2013
