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Colfax Marathon 2027: Running Through The Heart Of Denver
The Colfax Marathon takes runners on a memorable 26.2 mile journey through Denver, Colorado, combining historic streets, urban parks, riverside trails and some of the city's best known landmarks. Taking place in the Mile High City, the event offers a distinctive American marathon experience, with the Rocky Mountains providing an impressive backdrop to the wider destination.
Unlike many big city marathons that concentrate on a central business district, Colfax explores several different parts of the Denver metropolitan area. Its unusual route includes two passages through a professional American football stadium, while the wider running festival attracts participants across several distances.
The Destination
Denver is the capital of Colorado and an attractive destination for visitors interested in outdoor activities, cultural attractions and mountain scenery. Located at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, the city combines an extensive range of urban attractions with easy access to some of the western United States' most spectacular landscapes.
The city is famous for its elevation of approximately 5,280 feet (1,609 metres) above sea level, giving Denver its Mile High City nickname. Visitors arriving from lower elevations may notice the thinner air, particularly during physical activity, making altitude an important consideration for marathon runners.
Downtown Denver offers a mixture of historic architecture, restaurants, museums and entertainment venues. Union Station is one of its most recognisable landmarks, while the surrounding Lower Downtown district, commonly known as LoDo, is a popular destination for dining and nightlife.
City Park is another major attraction, offering green spaces, lakes and views towards the mountains. It is also home to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, making it an appealing area for visitors extending their stay.
Beyond the city, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is famous for its dramatic sandstone formations and outdoor concert venue. Visitors with more time can also explore the nearby mountain communities and recreational areas that make Colorado such a popular destination.
May generally brings pleasant spring conditions, although Denver's weather can be unpredictable. Cool mornings, warm sunshine, rain and occasional late season snow are all possible, so visitors should prepare for changing conditions.
History Of The Colfax Marathon
The Colfax Marathon was first held in 2006 and has developed into one of Colorado's most established running events. Its name comes from Colfax Avenue, the historic road that stretches across the Denver metropolitan area and has played an important role in the city's development.
Over the years, the event has expanded beyond the traditional marathon distance to include a half marathon, 10 mile race, relay competitions and a 5K. This variety has helped the weekend attract individual runners, running clubs, corporate teams and community organisations.
The marathon has also become closely associated with charitable fundraising. Its Charity Partners Program provides nonprofit organisations with opportunities to recruit runners, increase awareness and raise money through participation in the event.
Today, Colfax is an important fixture in Denver's sporting calendar, bringing together runners from Colorado and beyond. Its combination of unusual course features, community involvement and an attractive destination has helped establish its reputation within the American running community.
When Is The Colfax Marathon 2027?
The Colfax Marathon takes place on Sunday 16 May 2027, with the race starting at 6am local time. The start and finish are located in Denver's City Park, with the starting area on the eastern side of Ferril Lake.
The marathon has a six hour completion limit and is a recognised Boston Marathon qualifying event. Aid stations are positioned approximately every two miles, providing water and sports drinks, with energy gels available at selected points along the course.
The wider running weekend includes a 5K on Saturday 15 May, followed by the marathon, half marathon, Urban 10 Miler and marathon relay on Sunday. The half marathon has a separate start, while the relay follows the full marathon route with teams of five runners.
Colfax Marathon 2027 Expo And Race Bib Collection
The Colfax Marathon Health and Fitness Expo takes place at Empower Field at Mile High, the home of the Denver Broncos. The expo features running equipment, clothing, merchandise and exhibitors from the fitness industry, providing an opportunity to browse running products while collecting race materials.
For 2027, the expo is scheduled for Friday 14 May and Saturday 15 May. Marathon participants must collect their race packets before Sunday, as there is no race morning collection. Runners should check the organiser's final instructions for opening hours and any specific collection requirements.
Race Morning
The Colfax Marathon begins in City Park, with runners assembling near Ferril Lake before heading towards the starting area. Participants should allow sufficient time to reach the park, particularly as road closures and increased traffic may affect journeys around Denver.
The organiser provides race morning information covering parking, access arrangements and participant services. Runners should consult these instructions before travelling to the start, especially if they are unfamiliar with Denver or staying outside the immediate City Park area.
Temperatures can be cool early in the morning, even when warmer weather is forecast later in the day. Participants should check the latest forecast and prepare for changing conditions, particularly if they are travelling from a different climate.
Colfax Marathon Course
The Colfax Marathon follows a varied route through Denver and neighbouring Lakewood, beginning and finishing in City Park. The course includes historic Colfax Avenue, downtown landmarks, urban waterways, residential neighbourhoods and two passages through Empower Field at Mile High. The organiser divides the route into five sections, corresponding to the five legs of the marathon relay. These provide a useful way to understand the course, with each section introducing a different part of the Denver metropolitan area.
City Park, Downtown Denver And The Stadium
The opening 6.5 miles take runners from City Park onto Colfax Avenue, heading west towards downtown Denver. The route passes the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park before continuing through Denver Fire Station No. 1, where firefighters traditionally provide encouragement as participants pass through the building. Runners then join the Cherry Creek Trail, passing the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River before heading towards Empower Field at Mile High. The first passage through the stadium provides a memorable conclusion to the opening section.
Sloan's Lake
The next 3.8 miles take runners away from the stadium and towards Sloan's Lake, one of Denver's most popular urban parks. The route includes a short climb leaving the stadium before returning to Colfax Avenue and continuing through neighbourhoods with a mixture of historic buildings, shops and restaurants. Sloan's Lake provides a change of scenery, with open water, parkland and views towards both the mountains and downtown Denver. This section is relatively flat after the initial climb and offers some of the most attractive surroundings on the western side of the course.
Colfax Avenue And Lakewood
The third section covers approximately 5.9 miles, taking runners west along Colfax Avenue and into neighbouring Lakewood. The route passes the distinctive Casa Bonita restaurant before continuing towards the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, where historic buildings and outdoor artwork provide an unusual setting. The course also passes Morse Park and enters The Glens, an established residential neighbourhood known for its tree lined streets and traditional houses. This section combines urban scenery with quieter residential surroundings before reaching the western part of the marathon route.
The Return Towards Denver
The fourth section covers approximately four miles and takes runners east along Colfax Avenue towards Denver. Much of this part of the route is downhill, with views towards the downtown skyline becoming increasingly prominent as participants return from Lakewood. The surroundings include historic roadside architecture, local businesses and street art, reflecting the distinctive character of Colfax Avenue. Runners complete this section near Empower Field at Mile High, preparing for their second passage through the stadium.
Downtown Denver And The Finish In City Park
The final six miles begin with another run through Empower Field at Mile High before the course returns towards the South Platte River. Runners pass the Confluence Park area and rejoin the Cherry Creek Trail, following the waterways back towards downtown Denver. The route then passes through the 16th Street district before climbing along 17th Avenue towards City Park. This uphill section introduces a final challenge before runners enter the park and approach the finish between Ferril Lake and the open grounds near the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Finishers receive their medals and can enjoy the post race festival in City Park, where food, refreshments and entertainment provide an opportunity to celebrate. The lakeside setting offers an attractive conclusion to a marathon that explores several different sides of Denver.
How Difficult Is The Colfax Marathon Course?
The Colfax Marathon presents a different challenge from many flatter American city marathons. Although it does not feature the sustained climbs associated with Colorado's mountain races, its changing gradients require runners to manage their effort throughout the distance.
The course includes a short climb after the first stadium passage, a substantial downhill section on the return from Lakewood and an uphill approach to City Park during the final miles. These changes can make maintaining a consistent pace more demanding, particularly towards the end of the race.
Denver's elevation is another factor. At approximately 5,280 feet above sea level, the reduced oxygen availability can affect endurance performance, especially for runners who normally train at lower elevations. The impact varies between individuals, but it is worth considering when setting a finishing time target.
The six hour completion limit is also important. Runners need to average approximately 13 minutes and 44 seconds per mile to finish within the official limit, making Colfax less suitable for participants expecting to take considerably longer.
What Makes The Colfax Marathon Special?
One of the marathon's most unusual features is the opportunity to run through Denver Fire Station No. 1, where firefighters welcome participants as they pass through the working station. This adds a memorable element to the opening miles and reflects the event's close connection with the local community.
The race also makes good use of Denver's sporting and cultural landmarks. The stadium passages, historic Colfax Avenue and views across Sloan's Lake towards the Rocky Mountains create an experience that feels closely connected to the host city.
Another attraction is the variety of entertainment along the course, particularly around Sloan's Lake, where drummers, dancers and other performers have traditionally supported runners. These features help create an atmosphere that extends beyond the more conventional spectator areas.
The wider event weekend adds to this sense of occasion, bringing together individual marathon runners, relay teams and participants tackling shorter distances. The finish festival in City Park provides a central meeting point where runners can celebrate their achievements with friends, family and fellow participants.
Is The Colfax Marathon Good For First Time Marathon Runners?
The Colfax Marathon can be a rewarding choice for first time marathon runners who are confident of completing the distance within six hours. Its established organisation, regular aid stations and supportive atmosphere provide reassurance for participants tackling their first 26.2 miles.
However, beginners should be aware that the course is not entirely flat and that running at altitude may require adjustments to their usual expectations. Appropriate training remains essential, particularly for runners unfamiliar with longer distances or sustained physical effort at elevation.
The varied route can be an advantage for less experienced runners, with different neighbourhoods and landmarks providing interest throughout the race. The combination of downtown streets, parks and waterways helps break the distance into recognisable sections.
For runners who are appropriately prepared and interested in experiencing Denver, Colfax offers an enjoyable first marathon challenge. Those primarily concerned with achieving the fastest possible debut time may prefer a flatter course closer to sea level.
How To Enter The Colfax Marathon 2027
Registration for the Colfax Marathon 2027 is open through the official event website. The marathon operates a direct registration system rather than a general ballot, allowing runners to secure an entry while places remain available.
Prices may change as registration progresses, so runners should check the current cost and entry conditions before booking.
The organiser also offers places in the half marathon, Urban 10 Miler, marathon relay and 5K. Runners interested in participating on both days can explore the Mile High Two Day Challenge, which combines Saturday's 5K with one of Sunday's races.
Running The Colfax Marathon For Charity
The Colfax Marathon has an extensive charitable fundraising programme, bringing together nonprofit organisations from across Colorado and beyond. Its Charity Partners Program enables runners to support causes including healthcare, education, community services and other charitable activities.
Runners can select a participating charity during registration, with the chosen organisation then contacting them directly about fundraising opportunities.
Unlike events where charity participation primarily involves securing a guaranteed marathon place, Colfax encourages runners to combine their own race registration with fundraising. Selecting a charity does not automatically provide a free entry, and participants should confirm any specific fundraising arrangements with their chosen organisation.
The event also provides opportunities for charities to benefit from the marathon relay competitions, with eligible teams competing for awards that support participating nonprofit organisations. At the finish festival, Charity Partner Village offers dedicated space for charities to meet and celebrate with their runners and supporters.
Where To Stay
Denver offers a wide selection of accommodation, from large downtown hotels to smaller properties in its established neighbourhoods. For Colfax Marathon participants, the most convenient areas are those providing straightforward access to City Park, where the marathon starts and finishes.
The City Park and Uptown neighbourhoods are attractive options for runners wanting to stay relatively close to the event. Accommodation within walking distance of City Park can make race morning easier, although the selection of hotels is more limited than in downtown Denver.
Downtown Denver provides a broader range of accommodation, with hotels around Union Station, the Central Business District and Lower Downtown. These locations offer convenient access to restaurants, shopping and cultural attractions, although runners will need to arrange transport to City Park before the early start.
The Cherry Creek area is another possibility, offering hotels, restaurants and shopping facilities in an attractive part of the city. It is further from the marathon start, so participants staying here should allow additional travel time and check road closures.
Visitors extending their stay to explore the Rocky Mountains may also want to consider transport arrangements when choosing accommodation. Denver is a large city, and selecting a hotel with convenient access to both the race and other planned activities can make the weekend considerably easier.
Our Verdict
The Colfax Marathon is an appealing choice for runners looking for an American marathon with distinctive landmarks and a strong sense of local character. Its unusual course features, changing scenery and established race organisation provide an experience that stands apart from more conventional city events.
Although the course presents challenges through its gradients and high elevation, these are balanced by the interest of the route and the atmosphere created by local supporters. The event is particularly attractive to runners who value the overall marathon experience rather than concentrating exclusively on achieving a personal best.
Its substantial charity programme is another important strength, providing opportunities to support nonprofit organisations while participating in an established community event. Combined with Denver's attractions and access to the Rocky Mountains, Colfax offers plenty of reasons to extend a marathon weekend into a longer visit.
For runners seeking a memorable race in one of America's most interesting destinations, the Colfax Marathon deserves serious consideration.
Race Website
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