As the sun rose to cast a golden hue on the Front Range on Saturday morning, nearly 400 cyclists made their ascent up Pikes Peak for the 16th edition of The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit.

Like The Broadmoor International Hill Climb, cyclists faced 156 turns for 12½ miles and climbed 4,700 feet to reach the summit of America’s Mountain. For the first time, this year’s race included a “midway challenge,” where cycles could race halfway up the mountain to end at Glen Cove.

“It’s my third time doing it, and it doesn’t get easier,” said James Osbourne, the Master’s Men 40-plus Cat 1-2-3 winner. “It gets to a point where you just have to keep gutting it out. Finishing is the best part. The last mile gets very steep and you’re very tired, so you just have to find a level of effort you can use to get over the top.”

The race is recognized as the Colorado Senior and Masters Hill Climb Championship with winners receiving jerseys and the top three in each category receiving medals.

The race attracts all ages, including Marge Milne, 82, of Colorado Springs, who raced in the E-Bike Open division Saturday for her first race up Pikes Peak. She placed 10th in the division in a time of 1:41:06.66 and was the oldest female cyclist to compete.

“It was a bucket-list thing,” Milne said. “I wanted to do it two years ago, but I was afraid I couldn’t get down. Then I had three foot surgeries last year. I’ve been trying ever since to get ready for it, and it’s one of the best things I’ve done. It’s fun to set a goal and then do it.”

Milne didn’t think she would finish the race at one point but was all smiles at the finish line wearing a hot-pink zip-up jacket and neon green helmet. Those at the finish line cheered as she rode in on her specialized bike.

On the other side of the age spectrum, World Cup mountain bike racer Lauren Aggeler, 21, also took on the race for the first time and came in third overall while placing first in the Senior Women Cat 4 division with a time of 1:32:58.50.

“I thought it looked fun and wanted to give it a try,” Aggeler said. “It was more consistent than mountain bike racing. I had never climbed that much in that little mileage. It was overall harder but not technically — more mentally harder.”

Aggeler competes on the World Cup team Trinity Racing representing the United Kingdom and hopes to do more road racing in the future. The Cycle to the Summit will help the Durango resident earn points to upgrade categories.

“This was really fun, I want to do it again 100%,” Aggeler said. “It’s such a good race. I want to come back next year to try and get a faster time.”

However, The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit is not just for solo riders. There is also a tandem category spotlighted by a father-daughter duo that exemplified the spirit of the day.

As 11-year-old Molly Scharrer and her father, Jonathon Scharrer, rode into the festival area at mile 7, the pair was met with cheers from cyclists and spectators. At the awards ceremony, the Scharrers proudly stood on the podium together with Pikes Peak as their backdrop.

“It felt really awesome to place, because it’s always fun to show yourself and how hard you’re trying,” said Molly, wearing a colorful cycling kit.

It was their third year racing Pikes Peak together, placing first and second the past two years. The scenic views are Molly’s favorite part, along with spending time with her dad.

The race is competitive for some, but for others, it’s simply to accomplish something bigger.

“It was tough, but we are super-grateful,” Jonathon said. “It definitely works on your perseverance. It’s a beast every time. But Molly did great. She was cold at the top and she pressed down. I’m proud of her. Good job, Molly.”