Cool off your summer with the refreshing Popsicle Race Weekend at Cottonwood Creek Park in Colorado Springs, returning Saturday, August 2, 2025. Hosted by Five Star NTP, this upbeat event combines a scenic out-and-back route along the tree-lined Cottonwood Creek Trail with the reward of an ice-cold popsicle at the finish line—perfectly timed for a hot summer morning.
Runners can choose from three distances: half marathon (7:00 AM start), 10K (7:30 AM), and 5K (8:00 AM). The half marathon is delivered alongside a 16 min/mile pace cutoff, ensuring a well-controlled field. The course is smooth and fast—ideal for both PR-seekers and casual participants.
Aid stations placed every ~1.5 miles keep runners fueled, while volunteers and park scenery offer a friendly backdrop. Swag includes a tech shirt (if registered early), a finisher medal, and of course, a popsicle—and groups of five or more earn sweet registration discounts.
What makes this event special is that simple sense of summertime fun combined with a well-organized race structure. It’s a refreshing twist that turns a routine morning run into a community celebration—with volunteers eligible for a \$50 gift card when they recruit helpers.
