HalfRuns
The Colorado Marathon

The Colorado Marathon

The Colorado Marathon offers a fast, scenic course through Poudre Canyon and Fort Collins.

Race Date

May 2, 2027

Location

Fort Collins, CO

Runner Favorite82

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, May 2, 2027
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2 Miles, 10K, 5K
Course
Point to Point
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Yes
Finishers on record
20,959

Highlights

Good For

BQ RelevantPR FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Spectator SupportWell OrganizedGreat Swag

Course

Fast FlatScenic Route

The Experience

The Colorado Marathon in Fort Collins presents a compelling race day, set against the backdrop of Northern Colorado's natural beauty. Runners can expect a course that winds through the scenic Poudre Canyon and the picturesque natural areas of the city.

This event is renowned for its speed, with a certified course designed to be fast, attracting runners aiming for personal bests and Boston Marathon qualifying times. The net drop and start/finish separation suggest a course that aids quick times, making it a PR magnet.

Now in its 20th year, the marathon typically draws around 2,630 finishers, with participants traveling from approximately 50 states. While the repeat-runner rate is around 11%, the event's growth and its reputation for a scenic, fast course in a community-centric atmosphere make it a popular choice for running enthusiasts.

Race-provided description

Early Bird Registration will open on July 1, 2026. Join us for the Colorado Marathon in Fort Collins next May! Our annual event takes place in the stunning Poudre Canyon and the gorgeous natural areas of Fort Collins in Northern Colorado. Each year, thousands of runners participate in this incredible event to test their endurance, push themselves to new heights, set new PRs, and race alongside other running enthusiasts who share a passion for health and fitness. Many even run Colorado’s fastest race to qualify for the Boston Marathon! Regardless of why you join us at this momentous event, we’re happy to have you! With one of the most scenic downhill courses in the state, four different distances to choose from, and a vibrant community-centric atmosphere, this is one race you don’t want to miss. But be quick! Our event sells out quickly, so register early to save your spot in the race. Keep reading to learn all the details about this thrilling running adventure! Note: Once a race reaches capacity, a limited number of entries are reserved for the "Charity Fund." These entries are double the price and all proceeds go to local charities and non-profits that are involved in the race. Once we hit the Charity Fund entries, this is the only way to register for that distance. Once the limited number of Charity Fund entries are sold, the race will be officially sold out and registration for that distance will be closed. You will be able to register or change distances at the expo on Friday or Saturday of race weekend. However, if a race has reached capacity, there will be no new registration or changes to that distance. Questions? Visit our website for more information here.

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, May 2, 2027

Start Time

6:30 AM

Giveaway

Short Sleeve Technical T-Shirt

Start Location

301 Maple St., Fort Collins, CO, 80521

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Point to Point

Terrain

road

Scenery

Mountain, Rural

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

+4.79 m

Separation

81.6%

Also Offers

26.2 Miles10K5K

USATF Certified Course

CO25002DT · Colorado Half Marathon

Net downhill course — fast finishing times are common. Point-to-point course layout.

Quality Score

Runner Favorite82
Methodology
Heritage20/20

20 years running

Size15/15

~2,630 finishers a year

Momentum5/5

growing or steady

Loyalty11/20

11% returning runners

Course & details11/15

USATF certified · 6 timing sources · 7 photos

National draw10/10

runners from 50 states

Front-pack speed5/5

winner 1:11:12

Weather5/10

typical high 66°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

40°

Afternoon (High)

66°

Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish

0.1"

Precipitation

12 mph

Wind

55%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 20,959 finishers actually crossed the line across 20 years.

Most recent

2026

Total finishers

20,959

Median time

2:14:15

Latest turnout

1,322

States

50

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:05p50 median ≈ 2:056:35

Turnout by year

20192026

'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the The Colorado Marathon?

The The Colorado Marathon is held on Sunday, May 2, 2027, starting at 6:30 AM.

Where does the The Colorado Marathon take place?

It takes place in Fort Collins, Colorado.

What distances does the The Colorado Marathon offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2 Miles, 10K, 5K.

Is the The Colorado Marathon course flat and good for a PR?

The The Colorado Marathon is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.

How many people run the The Colorado Marathon?

HalfRuns has finish records for 20,959 runners who have completed the The Colorado Marathon.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

Explore More Journeys

Can't make it to Fort Collins? Discover other experiences that match your running style.

Search All Races