DENVER — Denver's largest running event is making some changes to its race courses for 2024.
Denver Colfax Marathon organizers announced Tuesday that the event has separated its marathon course (marathon/marathon relay/10 miler) and the half marathon course for several miles of the race.
After a sold-out race weekend in 2023 with 21,000 runners, race registration continues to grow and is in high demand this year. Organizers said the course changes will allow for more runners to participate in the races in the years to come.
“Our goal every year is to make this running event a memorable weekend for each runner,” said Creigh Kelley, Race Director for the Denver Colfax Marathon. “The 2024 course changes have resulted in the best courses and runner experience to date, and runners will feel the positive impact of these changes on race day.”
Marathon course
Marathon course runners will now "own" the Cherry Creek Bike Path and no longer merge with the half marathon course and runners.
The marathon and half marathon courses are also now separated into two lanes for several miles on Lawrence and 17th Street, allowing faster marathon course runners to have a dedicated lane.
Half marathon course
Half marathon runners will see the biggest changes in their run through the Denver Zoo. The new route will have runners experience exhibits such as the brand new Down Under and the Flamingo Habitat, along with wider pathways.
“The Denver Colfax Marathon is now the largest marathon weekend in the 8-state Rocky Mountain region,” said Andrea Dowdy, CEO of the Denver Colfax Marathon. “We have one of the most scenic race routes in the country. From the mountains to water views, the iconic local landmarks to the unbeatable entertainment along each race, the magic of the marathon weekend is about to get even better.”
The Denver Colfax Marathon will feature eight different races over two days: Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. The weekend's events include a marathon, half marathon, 10 miler, 5K, and the nation’s largest marathon relay.
2024 race weekend medals
The 2024 race day medals of the Denver Colfax Marathon will celebrate Denver's landmarks as well as award finishers with their own piece of history after completing a race at 5,280 feet above sea level. The Denver Colfax Marathon is one of the only races in the country that highlights the actual racecourse on its medals.
The 2024 marathon, 10 miler, and marathon relay finisher medals features an aerial view of Empower Field at Mile High, the Ferris wheel at Elitch Gardens, the clocktower on 16th Street Mall, the Denver skyline, mountains and some of Denver's unique bridges.
The highlight of the half marathon is running through Denver Zoo with the medal showcasing a lion to commemorate the race.
"Our medals are so unique, they each tell a story," said Andrea Dowdy, CEO of the Denver Colfax Marathon. "They are more than a showcase of accomplishment; each medal is a piece of artwork that our runners proudly display year after year."
The Denver Colfax Marathon medals come with a stand built into it, allowing runners to display their medal on a desktop, with the option of still hanging it on a door or a knob. There’s also a removeable charm/mini-medal that runners can clip on a backpack or use as a zipper pull.
More than 21,000 runners are expected to participate in the 18th annual Denver Colfax Marathon, which will again serve as a Boston Marathon-qualifying event.
Denver Colfax Marathon registration is available at RunColfax.org.
9NEWS is a sponsor of the Denver Colfax Marathon.
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