Heart attack kills hiker on Barr Trail

A hiker collapsed and died Sunday morning on Barr Trail as hundreds of runners raced along the path.

Mark Miller, 46, of Colorado Springs was hiking about 8:30 a.m. when he suffered a fatal heart attack, said El Paso Country sheriff’s Lt. Clif Northam.

Search and rescue workers in the area for the Barr Trail Mountain Race were unable to revive Miller, Northam said.

One race participant said he was running back down the trail in the second half of the 12-mile race when he encountered Miller about two miles from the start-finish line at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs.

“He was lying right by the trail — I almost stepped on his head,” said Bill Raitter of Denver. “He was face down — I didn’t know if he was playing a game or what — but he was breathing real hard.”

It appeared that two other people were hiking with Miller, Raitter said.

Note from the BTMR: What this article does not say is that Bill told every single person he saw on the way down to call for help and stopped at the nearest aid station to see if anyone had a cell phone. He was deeply concerned and very upset!

Published in The Gazette on 7/21/2005
Mark A. Miller, age 46, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 17, 2005 while hiking Barr Trail at the foot of Pikes Peak. Mark was born on January 24, 1959 in Denver, Colorado to Roland “Ray” and Ruth Marie (Deitweiler) Miller. He grew up in Colorado Springs and was a graduate of Wasson High School. On July 7, 1984, he married Nancy J. Martin. Mark and Nancy shared a joyous, original covenant marriage, which spanned a period of over 21 years. Mark worked very hard to become a Journeyman Electrician. He was also an avid outdoorsman who was always up for an adventure. Mark was a dedicated, active follower of Christ. He served as a missionary in Ecuador, volunteered for Manna Ministries and was the original drummer for New Life Church. Mark is survived by his loving wife: Nancy J. Miller; two daughters: Jessica Rae and Jeracha Ruth Miller; his father Ray and wife Iris Miller; stepfather John Moretti; and three brothers: Steven Miller, Brent Miller, and David Moretti. He was preceded in death by his mother. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2005 at the Shrine of Remembrance. Funeral services, officiated by Pastor Ted Haggard, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22nd at New Life Church, 11025 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mark's memory to the Mark A. Miller Memorial Fund at New Life Church. Mark will always be remembered with joy as a loving, steadfast, faithful, nurturing, and generous husband, father, and friend. He will be dearly missed!