How do I register for the Estes Park Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners on a first-come basis with tiered pricing. It opens December 1 and closes at packet pickup on the Saturday before the race. No race-day registration is available.

What is the time limit for the Estes Park Marathon?

The time limit is 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Is the Estes Park Marathon a Boston qualifier?

No, the Estes Park Marathon is not a Boston qualifier.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is point-to-point with a net descent of around 1,550 feet, starting above 9,100 feet and finishing near 7,550 feet. There is still over 1,200 feet of gain along the way, mostly in the early miles, and the high altitude affects effort throughout the race.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

Race day is in late June, so expect a cool start in the upper 40s and a warmer finish that can reach the mid-70s. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado mountains, so the early start time is your friend. If you're traveling from lower elevation, arriving a day or two early to acclimatize makes a real difference.

How big is the field?

The Estes Park Marathon is a small race, with recent finisher counts around 144. It has an intimate, low-key atmosphere compared to most road marathons.

Is the course USATF certified?

No, the course is not USATF certified.

Sun, Jun 21 · 2026Estes Park, COSince 2004

Estes Park Marathon

A point-to-point course starting above 9,000 feet and dropping through mountain terrain into Estes Park, this race rewards patience and punishes anyone who forgets they are running at altitude.

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ESTES PARK · US

Estes Park

SUN, JUN 21

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 2004

Estes Park is a small, high-altitude marathon and that's the whole story in a sentence. The course starts above 9,000 feet in the mountains and runs point-to-point down into town. The net descent sounds like free speed, but the opening miles have real climbing baked in, and the altitude changes everything. Your breathing will feel off. Your easy pace will feel hard. Don't let the downhill sections trick you into going out too fast in the first 10 miles.

This race suits someone who wants a genuinely different experience from a flat road marathon. It's small, the field is tight, and the mountain setting is unlike any city race. It is not a PR course for most people, altitude being the main reason, and it is not Boston-certified either. Getting in is simple: registration is open and tiered, and it closes the Saturday before race day at packet pickup. If you're coming from sea level, get to Estes Park a couple of days early and give your body a chance to adjust. Worth the extra time.

Field size

~144

144 finishers

BQ rate

1%

Below national average

Time limit

7:15

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:36:41

Geofrey Terer

2017

Women

3:14:17

Kellyn Roiko

2017

The Course

1,279 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑1,279 ft

Total descent

↓2,831 ft

Net elevation

↓1,552 ft

Highest point

9,134 ft

Lowest point

7,550 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

The course starts just above 9,100 feet and runs point-to-point into Estes Park, finishing around 7,550 feet. Net loss is substantial, but the 1,279 feet of gain means you earn it. The early miles carry the most climbing, so runners who go out hard on the opening descents often pay in the second half. Altitude is the factor most runners underestimate: even with the net downhill, thin air at 8,000-plus feet will slow your turnover and inflate perceived effort. The back half flattens relative to the opening stretch, but legs already taxed by altitude and earlier downhill pounding tend to feel it. Plan conservatively through mile 10.

DIFFICULTYHILLYPR-FRIENDLYNO

Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

48°F

High

75°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

June in Estes Park means a cool start and a warm finish, and the swing between the two is big enough to matter. You'll likely be in layers at the gun, but by the time you're dropping into town the sun is up and temperatures can climb into the mid-70s. The bigger issue is the altitude: even mild warmth hits harder when your body is already working to pull oxygen. Start conservative and hydrate from the first mile. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado mountains in June, so an early start time works in your favor.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with tiered pricing. Registration closes at packet pickup on the Saturday before the race. No race-day registration allowed.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

DEN

57 mi

from the start

≈ 90 min transferManageable drive

What to expect

Fly into Denver International Airport (90 minutes to Estes Park). Shuttle service available from DIA. Base yourself in Estes Park or surrounding mountain towns; numerous lodging options include The Dao House, The Stanley Hotel, and YMCA of the Rockies.

From the Community

2 videos · YouTube

Estes Park Marathon & Half Marathon (2024): fly over the marathon course!

Go&Race

full court shot..on a bright Estes Park day..not hot today..

The Patrick Tolar Basketball Show

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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