Sunday, September 24, 2023 in Lakewood, CO
Set for its 12th annual running along the winding trails of Colorado’s Bear Creek Lake Park, which lies just a short drive southwest of downtown Denver, the Bear Chase Trail Races offer a combination of challenging trail runs through the park as well as gorgeously scenic views of the 2,600-acre park as well as the Rocky Mountains off in the distance.
Like the other races in the event — including 100K and 50-mile ultra-marathons plus 50K and 10K races — the trail half marathon will follow an out-and-back loop course around the park that starts and finishes at the lake in the center of the park, along its northwestern corner.
From there, runners follow what is roughly a counter-clockwise loop route through the park, along the creeks that feed into the lake and along the roads that encircle it.
The half marathon features an elevation gain of around 900 feet and an overall elevation change of about 1,800 feet from start to finish, as runners will finish at the same elevation at which they started. The race begins for half-marathoners at 7:00 AM, and is described by the race organizer as a fast course that is also “not overly technical.”
Organizers plan to limit the number of entrants in the half marathon to 500, for a total of 1,600 for the event as a whole — so runners interested in taking part are encouraged to sign up early. The ultra marathon races (the 100K, 50-mile and 50K) will be run on Saturday, while the half marathon and 10K races will be run on Sunday.
Race Weather & Climate
Located in northern central Colorado, just a few miles southwest of downtown Denver, Lakewood typically experiences mild to moderately cool in the early fall.
On race day (Sep. 24), the average low is 39ºF and the average high is 74ºF.
The Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Past Results
- 2022 Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Results
- 2019 Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Results
The Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon Course Map
See the race route map for the Bear Chase Trail Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 7:00 AM – half marathon
- 8:00 AM – 10K
Race Fees
- $85 – $105 for the half marathon
- $55 – $75 for the 10K
