The great outdoors and the love for our community are just a couple of the things that make Northern Colorado one of our favorite places on the globe. Our region’s racing events are a combination of both and offer a year-round calendar that is packed with costumed runs, trail challenges, marathons and more.
This fall, our communities are hosting more than 20 races that include mountain bike courses through Estes Park, historic half marathons, brand new races and festive, holiday events. Whether you’re looking for a personal challenge or a dog-friendly course the whole family can enjoy, you’ll find it on our guide. Enjoy!
Jump ahead: September | October | November
September
Estes Epic | Estes Park
September 1 + 2, 2018 | Registration
The Estes Epic is an epic race for both mountain bikers and trail runners. The Labor Day weekend event includes a 55K Mountain Bike on Saturday and the Heavy Half and 55K Trail Run on Sunday. Do you have what it takes to race this rugged and remote course that starts in the heart of Estes Park?
FORTitude 10K | Fort Collins
September 3, 2018 | Registration
This Labor Day race is celebrating its second year in 2018, but it’s already one of the state’s favorite running events! The course celebrates the great city of Fort Collins and passes landmarks like City Park, Old Town and the CSU campus before finishing inside Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium.
American Heroes Run | Longmont
September 7 – 8, 2018 | Registration
This Longmont event honors the heroes of 9/11 with six distances, including a 24-hour vigil run, a 9 hour and 11-minute ultra, a marathon, a half marathon, a 9.11 miler and a 5K. The one-mile loop around the lake and park at Roger’s Grove is flat and scenic the whole way. Get full details for each event on the website.
Black Squirrel Half | Fort Collins
September 8, 2018 | Registration
Starting in Lory State Park, this beloved half marathon gains about 2,000 vertical feet along the outer boundaries of the open space. Along the way, you’ll pass breathtaking views of Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins and the Great Plains.
Superhero Run | Greeley
September 8, 2018 | Registration
Kicking off in St. Michael’s Town Square, the 6th Annual Superhero Run and Family Carnival will be bigger and better than ever in 2018. First, register the whole family. Then, dust off your capes and superhero costumes!
Berthoud Fall Family Fun Run/Walk 5K | Berthoud
September 9, 2018 | Registration
Over the past nine years, the Berthoud Run/Walk Club has raised more than $15,000 to support health and wellness in the Berthoud schools and to provide much-needed resources for the Berthoud Cross Country team. Join the fundraising fun at the 2018 Fall Family Fun Run this year!
Dayspring Dash 5K | Windsor
September 15, 2018 | Registration
This fundraiser 5K starts at Dayspring Christian Church in Windsor. The proceeds are used to raise money for an athletic scholarship fund for the Weld RE-4 Windsor/Severance School District. And after the Dash, there will be a free community festival! It includes free lunch, coffee, bounce houses, face painting, sport demos and more.
Fall Equinox Half Marathon & 5 Mile | Bellvue
September 16, 2018 | Registration
This famous running event offers both a 5-mile race and a half marathon. The shorter race begins at Gateway Natural Area while the 13.1-mile adventure begins from Mishawaka Amphitheater! Racers will finish at the bottom of the canyon where everyone can enjoy post-race food and beverages on private land at the base of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain foothills.
Superhero Strides for Cystic Fibrosis 5K | Windsor
September 22, 2018 | Registration
The inaugural Superhero Strides for Cystic Fibrosis 5K serves to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, promote healthy living and fundraise for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Be a superhero this fall!
Estes Trail Ascent | Estes Park
September 23, 2018 | Registration
One of Colorado’s best mountain races, The Estes Trail Ascent offers a 4-mile course and 6.75-mile course. Along the way, you’ll enjoy an amazing dirt trail and spectacular mountain views. Afterward, participants get to kick back with a delicious breakfast and raffle.
Rodelle Vanilla Day 5K | Fort Collins
September 29, 2018 | Registration
The 4th Annual Rodelle Vanilla Day 5K is scheduled for September 29 in celebration of all things vanilla! Whether you’re running the 5K or cheering your child in the Kid’s Run, there will be post-race refreshments that include vanilla-themed treats, a local beer garden and live music from KD & The Painkillers.
Rut Run 5K | Estes Park
September 29, 2018 | Registration
The Rut Run 5K is part of Estes Park’s famous Elk Fest. While bugling elk call in the distance, you’re invited to race through a short and scenic tour of fall colors and grand views beginning and ending in Bond Park.
October
Bacon Strip Races | Fort Collins
October 6, 2018 | Registration
The 2018 Bacon Strip Race is the 21st anniversary of one of FoCo’s favorite annual runs. The track is a very challenging 10-mile loop with constant undulating hills on rural dirt roads, but the views are unforgettable. Register online where you can also find details on the shorter 4-mile option.
Taste in Timnath Fall Festival & 5K | Timnath
October 6, 2018 | Registration TBD
Everyone is invited to the annual Taste in Timnath Fall Festival which kicks off with a 5K Fun Run at 9 a.m. Afterward, stick around for the festival fun which includes live music, food, drinks and more!
CSU Homecoming 5K Race | Fort Collins
October 13, 2018 | Registration TBD
CSU Homecoming is already one of Fort Collins’ favorite weekends. One of the many reasons we love this event is the fact that we’re all invited to run in the Homecoming 5K! Celebrating its 38th year in 2018, the family-friendly race offers a cross-country feel that is still manageable for beginners.
Blue Sky Trail Marathon | Fort Collins
October 20, 2018 | Registration
Beginning at the Blue Sky Trailhead in Horsetooth Mountain Park, this marathon is Fort Collins’ original and only trail marathon. Between Horsetooth Mountain Park and the Devil’s Backbone Open Space, you’ll cover the easternmost hogbacks of Northern Colorado’s Front Range with 3,500 feet of elevation gain and an equal amount of elevation loss.
Phantom 4 Miler | Fort Collins
October 27, 2018 | Registration TBD
This dog-friendly, Halloween-themed race is hosted by Animal House Rescue & Grooming and benefits NoCo’s homeless pets. The 2018 event features all the fun of last year’s venue, the same four-mile course, and the post-race hot breakfast and beer from The Biergarten at Anheuser Busch! Come for the run, then stay for the live music and local vendor booths!
November
Live United 5K Color Run | Greeley
November 3, 2018 | Registration
Taking off through Greeley’s Twin Rivers Park, Live United in Color benefits United Way of Weld County, a nonprofit organization working to create lasting change in how we live, work, rest and play in Weld County.
Colorado State University Veterans’ Day 5K | Fort Collins
November 10, 2018 | Registration
In honor of Veterans’ Day, this annual, nonprofit fundraiser benefits the CSU Veterans Scholarship Fund, a scholarship awarded to veterans who were honorably or medically discharged and are living with disabilities related to their military experience. Registration is just $30 and it serves a great cause!
BellRinger | Loveland
November 10, 2018 | Registration
In partnership with Loveland Housing Authority, Sweetheart City Racing is bringing the BellRinger 4 Miler back for 2018. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Edge. Specifically, ten of its 70 apartments are being developed as permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless veterans.
NCMC Turkey Trot | Greeley
November 22, 2018 | Registration
For the 21st year, the NCMC Foundation and Banner Health’s CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado are hosting this Thanksgiving Day race in Greeley. Last year’s event hosted approximately 3,000 runners and walkers making it one of the largest Thanksgiving Day races in Northern Colorado!
Turkey Trot 5k Fun Run/Walk | Estes Park
November 22, 2018 | Registration
Hosted by YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center, this Estes Park Turkey Trot is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018. Dogs and families are welcome to join in the fun before the big meal and donations will be accepted to support the facility’s summer day camp scholarship program.
Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run | Fort Collins
November 22, 2018 | Registration TBD
Each year, the Fort Collins Club hosts the Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run, now one of the city’s favorite themed races! For the third consecutive year, the run has partnered with RamStrength, a nonprofit that supports local cancer survivors through financial assistance.
Loveland Turkey Trot | Loveland
November 22, 2018 | Registration TBD
Hosted each year by McKee Foundation, this Thanksgiving Day run is an event for the whole family. In 2017, the event had over 2,000 registrants and raised over $50,000 for the Marge Schafer Nursing Scholarship!
Leftover Turkey Trot 5K | Longmont
November 24, 2018 | Registration
Continuing the Thanksgiving fun, the Leftover Turkey Trot is a Saturday morning run through Roger’s Grove Park in Longmont. The whole family is welcome to enjoy the run and the post-race hot coffee, food and drinks.
Happy trails!
Which races are you planning to participate in this year? Please share with us in the comments below!
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