Colfax Marathon

Denver, United States of America 17 May, 2026

The Colfax Marathon is an annual running event held in Denver, Colorado, recognized as Denver’s only marathon and one of the largest running events in the Rocky Mountain region. It was established by the cities of Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora to honor Colfax Avenue, which is notable for being the longest main street in the United States. The event, now in its nineteenth year, has evolved to feature a full marathon, a half marathon, an urban 10-miler, a 5K, and one of the nation’s largest marathon relays, attracting over 25,000 participants each year.

The marathon course offers what is often described as the ultimate urban tour of Denver. It starts and finishes in City Park, leading runners through notable city landmarks such as Empower Field at Mile High (the city’s professional football stadium, which runners pass through twice), Denver Fire Station #1, scenic stretches along rivers, lakes, and bridges including Sloan’s Lake, and through diverse neighborhoods like Lakewood and Colfax Avenue itself. The route provides expansive views of Denver’s skyline and the Rocky Mountains, emphasizing the city’s high-altitude environment and urban character.

The event holds cultural significance as it is both a community celebration and a major philanthropic initiative, with a strong focus on supporting local organizations. In addition to the races, the marathon weekend includes a two-day health and fitness expo and has historically been a venue for recognizing achievements such as induction into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame.

Several factors make the Colfax Marathon unique:
– It is the only marathon in Denver, celebrated for hosting runners from all 50 states and many countries, while also highlighting Colorado’s local elite talent.
– Its route incorporates a wide variety of urban settings and landmarks, from fire stations to stadiums to lakes, rarely seen together in other marathons.
– The marathon relay draws over 1,100 teams, making it the second largest in the US, and includes divisions for corporate, government, and open teams.
– The race’s timing at high altitude provides a distinctive challenge for competitive runners, which is highlighted by the addition of events like the Colorado Half Marathon Showdown, attracting elite local competitors and setting new event records.
– The event’s scale and community impact have led to national recognition, including frequent selection by running publications among the top marathons in America.

Overall, the Colfax Marathon stands out for its large, diverse participation, unique urban route, deep ties to Colorado’s history and athletic culture, and its role as a major regional sporting event linking Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora along the iconic Colfax Avenue.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Colfax Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 213 m 699 ft
Elevation Low 1623 m 5325 ft
Elevation High 1753 m 5751 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 8°C 46°F
Expected Temperature (High) 24°C 75°F
Chance of Rain 11%

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The Colfax Marathon is an annual running event held in Denver, Colorado, recognized as Denver’s only marathon and one of the largest running events in the Rocky Mountain region. It was established by the cities of Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora to honor Colfax Avenue, which is notable for being the longest main street in the United States. The event, now in its nineteenth year, has evolved to feature a full marathon, a half marathon, an urban 10-miler, a 5K, and one of the nation’s largest marathon relays, attracting over 25,000 participants each year.

The marathon course offers what is often described as the ultimate urban tour of Denver. It starts and finishes in City Park, leading runners through notable city landmarks such as Empower Field at Mile High (the city’s professional football stadium, which runners pass through twice), Denver Fire Station #1, scenic stretches along rivers, lakes, and bridges including Sloan’s Lake, and through diverse neighborhoods like Lakewood and Colfax Avenue itself. The route provides expansive views of Denver’s skyline and the Rocky Mountains, emphasizing the city’s high-altitude environment and urban character.

The event holds cultural significance as it is both a community celebration and a major philanthropic initiative, with a strong focus on supporting local organizations. In addition to the races, the marathon weekend includes a two-day health and fitness expo and has historically been a venue for recognizing achievements such as induction into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame.

Several factors make the Colfax Marathon unique:
– It is the only marathon in Denver, celebrated for hosting runners from all 50 states and many countries, while also highlighting Colorado’s local elite talent.
– Its route incorporates a wide variety of urban settings and landmarks, from fire stations to stadiums to lakes, rarely seen together in other marathons.
– The marathon relay draws over 1,100 teams, making it the second largest in the US, and includes divisions for corporate, government, and open teams.
– The race’s timing at high altitude provides a distinctive challenge for competitive runners, which is highlighted by the addition of events like the Colorado Half Marathon Showdown, attracting elite local competitors and setting new event records.
– The event’s scale and community impact have led to national recognition, including frequent selection by running publications among the top marathons in America.

Overall, the Colfax Marathon stands out for its large, diverse participation, unique urban route, deep ties to Colorado’s history and athletic culture, and its role as a major regional sporting event linking Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora along the iconic Colfax Avenue.

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