As the runners in Sunday’s Pikes Peak Marathon climbed, so did the temperature.

Helped by a near-cloudless sky, the midday heat reached about 90 degrees, creating concern among race organizers for the runners’ health and slowing the field, which started at 7 a.m., considerably.

By 11:15 a.m., only three runners — Matt Carpenter, Dave Mackey and Bernie Boettcher — had crossed the finish line compared with 10 runners who had finished by that time in 2006 and nine in 2005.

Only one runner set an age-group record.

Michael Donovan, 55, of Rio Rancho, N.M., toppled two 55-59 age-group records with his ascent portion time (2:53:40) and Marathon time (4:50:34).

In 2006, three women and Carpenter set age-group records.

Women’s champion Salynda Fleury finished in 5:00:43, the first time since 1978 that no woman broke five hours.

It was so hot at the summit that fourth-place finisher Heather McWhirter of Colorado Springs tossed her gloves on the ground.

“I didn’t need the extra weight,” she said, her tank top soaked in sweat.

Spotters, search and rescue workers and aid station volunteers were on the lookout for dehydrated competitors.

Most of the runners who crossed the finish line before noon dripped with sweat and double-fisted cups of water.

Carpenter, who said he sprinted the final 2.5 miles, had to be carried to a cot and evaluated by medical personnel.

Carpenter was seen breathing into a bag and later said he had been dizzy and hyperventilating.

“It slowly creeps up on you that you’re not feeling too well,” Carpenter said. “By No-Name Creek, the trees and the rocks start to feel like they’re 2 inches from your body. It was stifling.”

While hooked up to his third bag of intravenous fluid, Carpenter began to feel better.

Keri Nelson led Fleury by almost 17 minutes at the summit, but the heat started to affect her once she turned around. Fleury passed Nelson in Mile 23.

Once Nelson hit the pavement at the bottom of Barr Trail, she said she began to dry heave.

“A man offered me a ride to the finish with less than a mile to go,” said Nelson, who took IV fluids for about 30 minutes after the race. “There were definite moments where I would’ve taken it.”

At least 60 runners used intravenous bags and around 25 needed to use oxygen tanks, said Mary Sanchez, who directed medical personnel volunteers from EmergiCare.

“They’re sweating as fast as they can drink,” Sanchez said.