Conquering the Manitou Incline: The Steepest Mile You’ll Ever Hike | IDKR Podcast | Episode 158 Artwork

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Conquering the Manitou Incline: The Steepest Mile You’ll Ever Hike | IDKR Podcast | Episode 158

May 18, 2025 • Lewis Hayden and Mitch Brouwer • Season 4 • Episode 158

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In this episode of the I Don't Know Running podcast, we take a deep dive into one of the most grueling and iconic endurance challenges in the U.S.—the Manitou Springs Incline in Colorado. With 2,744 steps, a 2,000 ft elevation gain, and an average 45% grade (peaking at 68%!), this isn't your average “short” hike.

Join Lewis and Mitch as they unpack the incline's wild history, personal stories (like competitive friends drama on the stairs), and staggering stats—like the guy who climbed it 1,825 times in a year 😳. Whether you’re into FKTs, run streaks, or just curious about the kind of person who would do this more than once... this episode is for you.

📸 Plus: we’ll post pictures and video from Mitch’s trip!

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💬 Have you tried the incline? Tell us your experience!

#ManitouIncline #TrailRunning #RunningPodcast #IDontKnowRunning #ColoradoTrails #FKT #InclineChallenge #RunningStories

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