Lots of Stapletonians run one of the seven races of the Colfax Marathon on Sunday, May 18 - and you this is one race you should put on your calendar!

The Half Marathon sold out last year - and it's no wonder with a one mile run through Denver Zoo, before the zoo opens to the public. Last year, the rhino got so excited, he started running along his enclosure with the runners. You can register for this race for just $69 right now - that is a steal! Plus the men of the Colorado Firefighters Calendar are LIVE on the course at mile 11. Great photo opp.


There is the 26.2 mile Marathon and it's a great first timer marathon: fun, urban course, you get to run through Mile High Stadium twice - at miles 6 and 20, to give you that boost for the final 6.2 miles. You run along the Cherry Creek bike trail, Confluence and Platte River trail. There is a mini Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake. Colfax Avenue, of course, downtown, and finish in City Park for a big Afterparty. With beer. And Jim'N Nick's Bar-B-Q!


Teams of 5 runners can split the marathon course in the Marathon Relay - which includes Colorado's biggest corporate race - and top teams win cash for the Charity Partner of their choice.

That's our favorite part of the race: local charities, large and small, can raise money through the race. Every runner has the opportunity to run for one of the 100+ charities. You wear their back bib during the race, and it adds just a little something to your run. And our school PTAs can become Charity Partners - so you can even run for your kid's school! SOAR School in Green Valley Ranch participates. So does Kent Denver, Joshua School, Bridge School, and DPS Foundation - which provides college scholarships to qualifying seniors, so check them out, too. Get your school PTA to check it out! Other east Denver charities include Children's Hospital Foundation, Brent's Place, Aurora Warms the Night, and The Greenway Foundation - the folks who take care of our Westerly Creek areas.

And don't forget to kick off Marathon Weekend with the Colfax 5K on Saturday, May 17th in City Park: kid and stroller friendly, and now dog-friendly too. Lots of dog charities will be there on Saturday: PAWS & Co. Adoptions, Animal Rescue of the Rockies, and Cinnamon, the service dog from National Sports Center for the Disabled.

This race has something for everyone. And best of all, it's local. Supports our community. We know you're out training - we see you every morning on the Stapleton trails. Put it on your calendar!