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Estes Park Marathon MedalThe Estes Park Marathon is America’s most scenic marathon course! Runners enjoy our famous road course that is surrounded by glorious 360 degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Starting with an inspiring 1500 ft descent, within the first 6.5 miles, runners will find their rhythm and strong pace for an exceptional marathon race. As with all great journeys, the mountainous beauty will encourage you to overcome the physical and psychological challenges of the climbs and feel the thrill of several scenic downhills. Share the celebration and joy of running with us! Rated by Forbes Magazine as Top 7 scenic races in the USA. Runner’s World magazine recommends this destination race, for a reason!

RACE PHOTOS FOR 2022! 

June 16, 2024 SUNDAY

  • Start time: Marathon & Half Marathon Walkers only begin 5:00AM 
  • Rolling Start for Marathon Runners: 5:10AM – 5:30AM
  • Start location: The Dao House , 6120 CO- Hwy 7. Start line is located at the lower parking lot, same location as the Half Marathon.
  • Transportation to Start Line: All Marathon participants must take the provided Rocky Mountain Transit buses to the Dao House start line area. Estes Park Marathon participants will be picked-up from the Estes Park High School parking lot beginning at 4:00AM. To reduce waiting and bus crowding, runners will sign up for their bus departure time at registration. Sign up is first come, first serve. Register early to secure your favorite bus time.
    • NO transportation provided to return to start area post race.
    • Runner dropped off by private vehicles allowed across from the entrance to the Dao House property. NO PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ONTO THE DAO HOUSE PROPERTY. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Start Support: Several Porta Potties are provided.
  • NO GEAR DROP OFF at start
  • Rolling Start: Once runners disembark from bus, they can use the restroom and/or line up at start line to begin their glorious run!
  • Aid Stations & Water Stations: Provided approximately every 2 miles. Beginning at MM6, Aid stations offer: VFuel Endurance Gels, VFuel Endurance drink & water. Water Stations offer: Water & Gatorade.
  • Public Restrooms & PP: PP located at the Dao House and at ALL Aid Stations. Public Restrooms are located along the Lake Estes Trail.
  • 7 hour course cut off time.
    • All marathon participants must pass the 16MM by 10AM or be taken off course. 
    • The course will officially close at 1:00PM. All participants must forfeit bib at 1:00PM, if they have not finished. There are NO exceptions.
  • NO Registration ALLOWED on race day.
  • Packet Pick-up: is available at race registration at the Estes Park High School Commons Saturday, 6:30am- 5:00pm, or Sunday, 4:30AM – 7:15AM.
  • FINISHER CERTIFICATES– All marathon finishers will be emailed a finisher certificate after the race.
  • BEAUTIFUL FINISHER MEDAL– All marathon finishers will receive a well deserved medal, to celebrate and brag about, for years to come!
  • AWARDS: Age Group Awards for the Marathon & Half-Marathon: 19 & under, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50- 59, 60- 69, 70 -79, 80+. Overall Masters category- 40 years and older.
  • AWARDS DISTRIBUTED: Overall Top 3 Finishers receive awards at finish line 10:30AM.  Age group Marathon awards will be mailed to award winners.

Massages available at finish area, Sunday. 8:30AM- 1:00pm. Consider scheduling a massage in advance at local spa and wellness businesses!

Use the buttons below to download a detailed map with all the aid and water stations.

MARATHON START LINE: The Dao House, off of Highway 7.

The Course:

  • First Half of the Marathon: From the start line runners will enter northbound, scenic Colorado State Highway 7 and descend for 3.7 miles on a wide road shoulder, passing the Historic 7 Keys Lodge and the Taharaa Mountain Lodge.  Runners will turn right onto Fish Creek Way. At Fish Creek Road, runners use the dirt trail that continues to descend for an additional 3 miles to Scott Ave., turning left onto Lake Shore Drive following it to Carriage Drive. From Carriage Drive, runners climb 14o ft to the Hwy 7 bike path. At Avalon Drive, runners leave the path and descend to Acacia Drive and Brook Drive, which joins Fish Creek Road again. Runners turn left onto Fish Creek cement path and continue  descending to Brodie Avenue. Turning left at Brodie Ave., Runner’s will enter the Lake Estes Trail multi-use path that winds thru Stanley Field to Lake Estes pedestrian tunnel. Once thru the tunnel (Lake Estes shoreline), turn left (clock-wise) around Lake Estes to the Highway 34 pedestrian tunnel (north east).

Route map for Estes Park Marathon by Belle Morris on plotaroute.com

Second half of marathon: Leaving Lake Estes Trail, via north pedestrian tunnel, runners join the Dry Gulch multi-use trail/sidewalk heading north (Mile Marker 12.5 on the course). At close to mile 13.25, runners will turn left onto Ptarmigan Trail (Shephard of the Mountains Lutheran Church), and semi-circle back to Dry Gulch Rd. Turn left and continue to climb to top of Dry Gulch Road (close to 2 miles). At the aid station, turn left and continue to CR43 and descend on Devils’ Gulch Road. At MacGregor Avenue, and East Wonderview Avenue turn left up to the main entrance to the historic Stanley Hotel. Passing the Aspire Residential Center, runners will turn right onto Steamers Drive and down the hill to Highway 34. Runners will turn left onto wide shoulder heading east on Highway 34 to Elk Trail Court.Turn Left onto Elk Trail Court.

From Elk Trail Court, the course winds through an open residential area that is mostly flat or downhill. Runners will connect to Dry Gulch Road at Raven Ave, taking the multi-use trail back thru the Highway 34 pedestrian tunnel to Lake Estes Tunnel. Turn RIGHT after tunnel, following the Lake Estes Trail counter-clockwise to the southern pedestrian tunnel again and up to Brodie Ave entrance to the Estes Park High School track and Field. Complete less than one lap of the track counter clockwise and be greeted by enthusiastic crowds at the finish line!

  • Terrain: Course is on road shoulders, dirt trail and paved multi-use paths.
  • The course is marked with directional arrows on the roads & trails, as well as placed yellow directional signs. In critical spots there will also be course marshals.
    • Group Runs organized by the Estes Park Running Club 

      TUESDAY EVENING FUN RUN SERIES – year round!

      • WARM-UP & GATHER: 5:45PM
      • RUN START: 6:05PM following a 3 – 5 mile route, which highlights inspiring mountain views and historic landmarks.
      • POST RUN: Stretching, cool down drills and strengthening
      • FRIENDLY PETS:  Are welcome!  Thank you for disposing of your fur baby’s waste.
      • Join this weekly FUN RUN for camaraderie, fitness, motivation, training! All fitness abilities and age groups welcome to RUN or WALK.

      WEDNESDAY SPEED WORK at Estes Park High School Track & Field (Mid-Summer months only)

      • WARM-UP: 5:30PM dynamic stretching series
      • TRACK/SPEED WORKOUTS: 6:00PM all sessions are lead by coaches. Designed for all distances & abilities. Join the fun for motivation!
      • PROVIDED only July – September as group decides.  Attend Tuesday evening for updates.

      THURSDAY TRAIL & BREWERY RUNS!

      • YEAR ROUND!, Late Fall thru Late Spring, the Thursday evening runs depart from and finish at rotating local brewery locations in Estes Park. During mid-June, July, August, & September, Thursday Runs will start from designated trailheads. After the trail run, participants will meet at the “Co-Hosting Sponsor” Brewery for 50% off brew or non- alcoholic beverage.
        • January, The Barrel of Estes Park
        • February, Rock Cut Brewery
        • March, Lumpy Ridge Brewery
        • April & May, Rock Cut Brewery
        • June & July, Avant Garde Aleworks
        • August & September, Lumpy Ridge Brewery
        • October, Avant Garde Aleworks
        • November, Rock Cut Brewery
  • Beginning late June, runners meet at announced trailheads or designated parking lots. Please request to join our Facebook group, Estes Park Running Club for weekly information or Estes Park Running Club page for ongoing racing & events in the Estes Park area. Our trail runs typically have 8 – 12 people, which makes it enjoyable! Please join us!

You can find all this info on our Estes Park Running Club Website

We thank our “Co-Hosts” and Sponsors:

Items for sale at the info booth

Marathon
(26.2 miles)
$75
Early bird
$95 – 12/2 – 12/31
$100 – 1/1 – 2/29
$110 – 3/1 – 4/30
$120 – 5/1 – Race Day

If you want to register in person or by mail-in, follow this link

We thank all military members serving our country and offer a Military Discount of $10.
Enter: MILITARY2023

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