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The Estes Park Half Marathon is Colorado’s most scenic 13.1 mile race you can find! One of Forbes “Top 7 Most Scenic Half Marathons in the USA!” Our course is shared with our marathon route and awarded by Colorado Runner magazine as “most scenic” for 2012. The Estes Park Half Marathon is the first of five races in the COLORADO MOUNTAIN HALF SERIES, which benefits local youth programs. Enjoy the scenic 1500 ft descending course that takes you around Lake Estes and finishes at the Estes Park High School track. Participants will see views of the Estes Park valley, Long’s Peak, the Continental Divide and run along boundary areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. The half marathon is a competitive race, as well as welcoming to the fitness runner. Come and find out why participants continue to return and experience Colorado’s favorite!

SHINING TWIN CHALLENGE!  To complete the scenic challenge: “Warm-up” your race legs at the LONGS PEAK 5 MILER on Saturday and race the Estes Park Half Marathon on Sunday. Receive a Challenge finisher medal and a discounted entry fee! Select Shining Twin Challenge during registration.

ACCESS PHOTOS 2022

Half Marathon Info

  • Rolling Start time: 5:30-7:30 AM (after the last bus drops off runners)
  • Half Marathon Walkers: Start 5:00AM
  • Start location: Dao House, on CO Highway 7, lower parking lot.
  • Transportation: All Half Marathon participants must take the provided Rocky  Mountain Transit buses to the Dao House.  Participants will be picked-up from the Estes Park High School parking lot beginning at 4:00AM. To reduce waiting, runners will sign up for their bus departure time at registration. Sign up is first come, first serve. Register early to secure your preferred bus time.
    • NO transportation provided to return to start area post race.
    • Dropped off by private vehicles allowed across from the entrance to the Dao House property only. NO PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ONTO THE DAO HOUSE PROPERTY. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • We ask that runners take the FREE buses to start line as it reduces traffic on the Highway 7 course. As a runner YOU will appreciate the quiet and inspired views without additional vehicles on the road. PLEASE, select your bus time at registration and NOT drive to the Dao House. We thank you for your cooperation!
  • Start Line Support: Runners will be welcomed by the Dao House and can immediately line up and start at their leisure. Several Porto-let Restrooms will be available at Start Area. NO Gear drop will be provided.
  • Rolling Start: Runners will NOT have a mass start.  Once your bus arrives at the beautiful Dao House property, runners may line up and start. Runners will race against their clocks and share in the inspiring Rocky Mountain views. Enjoy!
  • Half Marathon Aid Stations or Water Stations: Provided approximately every 2 miles. Beginning at MM6, Aid stations will provide VFuel gels & Hydration. Water stations will provide water and Gatorade.
  • Public Restrooms & Porta Potties: Porta Potties are located at all Aid Stations and Public Restrooms are located around the Lake Estes Trail. See printable course map.
  • FINISHER MEDALA beautifully designed finisher medal will be given to each Half Marathon runner as they cross the finish line.
  • Course cut off time: 1:00PM
  • 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, 4:00AM – 7:15AM.
  • Age Group Awards for the Marathon & Half-Marathon: 19 & under, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50- 59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
  • AWARDS DISTRIBUTED: Overall Top 3 HALF MARATHON racers receive awards at finish line at 9:30AM.  All Age group Half Marathon awards will be mailed to award winners.

Massages available at finish area Sunday. 8:30AM- 1:00pm. There are several professional massage therapists working at local spas and wellness centers in Estes Park. We encourage making appointments in advance at businesses.

 

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

Estes Park Half Marathon Course Description:

The Estes Park Half Marathon course starts at the Dao House, on CO Highway 7. Runners will line up at the lower parking lot, next to the pond. Runners will enter northbound Hwy 7 and descend the very scenic route to Fish Creek Road (FCR). Turning Right onto FCR, runners will pass the second aid station and first Porta-Potty at mile 4. Continuing down FCR, runners will descend a total of 1500 ft to Brodie Ave. Runners will turn left and take an immediate right to enter the Lake Estes Trail (paved with some dirt shoulder room). Passing the Dog Park and thru the south pedestrian tunnel, runners will go counter-clockwise around Lake Estes, east bound to Mall Road and down the path to Waipit Meadows , continuing on the Lake Estes Trail. Runners will turn Right into the pedestrian tunnel and continue following the Lake Estes Trail to Brodie Ave. Turning right up the short climb on Brodie Ave, runners will enter the Estes Park High School Track, and finish with a 300m lap to the finish line in front of BOBCAT STADIUM!

  • Races end at the Estes Park Track and Field (elevation 7,550 feet). The courses take place on road shoulders, dirt trail (Fish Creek Trail) and paved pathways. All courses offer spectacular mountain views!
  • The course is marked with directional arrows on the roads and trails, as well as 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

Half Marathon
(13.1 miles)
$65
Early bird
$ 75 – Dec 2nd to December 31st
$85 – January 1st until February 29th
$95 – March 1st until April 30th
105 – May 1st to 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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