DENVER — Denver's biggest running event will be bigger than ever.
The Denver Colfax Marathon will feature eight 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.
Organizers of the Denver Colfax Marathon said two race lengths have sold out and others are nearing capacity.
The half-marathon and urban 10 miler races are sold out for 2024. There are spots left in the marathon, marathon relay and 5K.
People can register online and at the race expo, which will be held Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18.
After a sold-out race weekend in 2023 with 21,000 runners, Denver Colfax Marathon race registration continues to grow, and participation numbers will break that record this year.
Race organizers announced course changes in February. Now the marathon can have more marathon and marathon relay teams participate. With one week before race weekend, the full marathon has 30% more participants than ever before.
"The energy and excitement that we've seen so far surrounding the 2024 race weekend is incredible," said Andrea Dowdy, CEO of the Denver Colfax Marathon. "We highly encourage runners to register now to secure a spot in their race of choice. This May, we are expecting more than 21,000 runners and close to 50,000 guests throughout the weekend."
Marathon course
Denver Colfax Marathon organizers announced in February that the event has separated its marathon course (marathon/marathon relay/10 miler) and the half-marathon course for several miles of the race.
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 streets, 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 eight-state Rocky Mountain region,” Dowdy said. “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.”
Race training
Dr. Jennell Kopp, Denver Colfax Marathon medical director, said runners need to do more than simply run when training for race weekend.
“You can’t just put in the miles and expect to have a successful training program,” Kopp said. “Just like any good recipe, it is not only one ingredient. All the ingredients – fueling, strengthening, proper rest, mileage, are all needed to have a successful race. If you just put in the miles and forget the other ingredients, you will struggle throughout your training.”
2024 race weekend medals
Race 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," Dowdy said. "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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