Rocky Mountain Half Marathon

Saturday, July 29, 2023 • Estes Park, CO • Course Map

Set for its tenth annual running through the resort town of Estes Park, Colorado, which lies just outside the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon takes runners on a high-elevation, out-and-back loop course that features stunning views of the mountains that surround in all directions.

Recommended Race: Boulderthon in Boulder, CO

Runners should note that the race doesn’t take them within the confines of Rocky Mountain National Park due to restrictions by the National Park Service — which does allow running events like this one in some parks, like Death Valley — in order to preserve the environment inside the park’s boundaries.

However, the race will take runners along the edge of the park and they’ll be able to visit both before and after the race.

As for the race itself, the course begins in Estes Park on the Lake Estes Trail, near the intersection of Community Drive and St. Vrain Avenue. From there, the race follows the trail around the lake and then onto Big Thompson Avenue and Dry Gulch Road, which brings runners on a steady uphill for the next few miles.

That’s followed by an equally gradual downhill in the second half of the race. Once runners reach the furthest-out point of the course along Devils Gulch Road, they’ll begin a gradual descent over the last five miles or so of the race, which include some rolling hills.

This is a very high-elevation race, runners should note — the lowest point on the course lies at just over 7,400 feet above sea level, while the highest point (around mile 8) tops out at just over 7,900 feet. By comparison, “mile-high” Denver lies at just over 5,200 feet, Atlanta at about 1,000 feet, and Salt Lake City at about 4,200 feet.

Walkers are welcome as long as they can finish the race within the 4-hour course time limit, and you can find more info on COVID-19 precautions and shuttle transportation to and from the start/finish line area at the official race website here.

View of Rocky Mountain National Park from Trail Ridge Road. (Andrew E. Russell/flickr)

Race Weather & Climate

Located about 70 miles northwest of Denver at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park typically sees some of its warmest weather of the year in August, where temperatures typically range from the high 40s to the high 70s.

On race day (Jul. 29), the average low is 49ºF and the average high is 76ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

6:00 AM

Course Time Limit

4 hours

Fees

$109 and up for the half marathon
$45 and up for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the summer 2023 running of Estes Park’s Rocky Mountain Half Marathon race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

vacationraces.com/half-marathons/rocky-mountain

Comments

Ever run in the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: July, Colorado

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