The Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run® is the premier race of Colorado Springs, coursing through the 300′ towering sandstone rock formations of Garden of the Gods Park, including the most famous rock in the area, Balanced Rock.
For nearly 50 years, the Garden of the Gods has been a spectacular setting for this physically demanding race. Competition in every age-group, excellent runner support and post-race festivities, prestigious awards and uniquely designed shirts make this race the most popular race in Colorado Springs.
The Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run® hosts runners from more than 38 states across the US. Visiting runners will find the location easy to access, just 5 miles from downtown Colorado Springs and an hour south of Denver.
Colorado Springs is also home to a variety notable hotels and lodging, restaurants and breweries, and endless miles of running trails and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Plan to stay for a couple of days, so you can visit historic Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak.
10M and 10K Road Courses
Big Hills, Awesome Rocks, All Challenge!
Each of the race courses start at the main entrance to the park and share a common finish in historic Rock Ledge Ranch where the post-race party begins. Food, beer, music, and vendors, surrounded by the beauty of the Ranch and Garden, give runners and their families and friends a place to stay and enjoy an amazing post-race experience.
The 10M/10K course will loop runners through the spectacular Garden of the Gods Park which lies between Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. With a low point of 6,210′ and a high point of 6,530′ in elevation, the runners are physically challenged with almost 1,000 feet of total elevation gain on the 10M course. The races are run primarily on asphalt roads, with a small portion on a concrete walkway or gravel road.
Clear, dry weather is normal with temperatures normally in the low 60’s at start time. The temperature generally rises into the 70’s or low 80’s by the end of the race. Eight aid stations are located throughout the course, making it easy for runners to hydrate with water or Gatorade as needed.
The Garden roads are closed to traffic during the race, however, the finish line cutoff time is 9:30am to accommodate the park’s reopening at 10:00am. After 9:30am, any runners remaining on the course will be on their own.
10K Trail Course
Hills, Curves and Technical Trails Too – This Course Has It All!
Like the Garden of the Gods 10M/10K courses, the trail race has it all – a spectacular setting, a physically demanding course, and all the perks runners have come to know and enjoy with the Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run® …but on the trails. The race start is the same as the road races, on Gateway Rd. Within the first 1/4 mile of the race start, runners will turn onto the dirt where underfoot, they will find gravel, rocks, and roots. The trail takes the runners around the Homestead Trail before winding through the Valley Reservoir area and crossing Ridge Rd. onto the central trails of the Garden. The views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding rock formations of Garden of the Gods are unsurpassed. We recommend that runners don’t take your eyes off the trail for too long, there are plenty of rocks and roots to trip them up if they’re not focused on the trail ahead!
A Race that Gives Back
Each year, Garden of the Gods Ten Mile Run® gives back thousands of dollars to the local community. With the Aid Station Challenge and the addition of the Garden of the Gods Trail race, we are committed to giving back to area high schools as well as to the Garden of the Gods Park.
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A must do race for sure.
This is a very fun race. 1500 to 2000 people each year. Very well done. Good aid stations, great community participation, well promoted by the directors. After race party is … MORE
This is a very fun race. 1500 to 2000 people each year. Very well done. Good aid stations, great community participation, well promoted by the directors. After race party is perfect, kids run is very cute for the little folks. Always good weather. Hills, all road for the 10 miler, good sites, see the photos. I was slow this year, just coming off shingles. Did better than I thought. The people are great, all classes of runners.
Stunning Race
I recommend this race to everyone I know. It's just stunning. You can't describe how pretty it is. It is challenging, especially if you're not acclimated, but it's very walker … MORE
I recommend this race to everyone I know. It’s just stunning. You can’t describe how pretty it is. It is challenging, especially if you’re not acclimated, but it’s very walker friendly. Race packet pickup is easy at Fleet Feet. They are very friendly. The swag has a lot to be desired but it’s not too bad, just a cotton tshirt.
The first year I did this race, it was a smidge disorganized at the start and they got started late due to the traffic. They worked it out the next year. Make sure you get here early as traffic can be a lot. There’s plenty of parking. They have a lot of port of potties at the finish line area but only a few at the start which makes it a bit tough.
As mentioned, it’s challenging, the start is straight up hill. It is fairly well marked. I almost went the wrong way at one turn, but figured it out. Lots of great race support with local cross country and track teams encouraging runners on.
The only disappointment is the end as I was surprised that you come back down to the parking lot and then go back into an area with that has livestock and it’s pungent. That is the only downside to the course.
The after party is crowded with long lines so we usually pass.
Put this race on your list. You can’t describe how pretty the scenery is.
Toughest race!
This is one of the top hardest races I’ve run! The rolling hills and elevation are no joke , even as someone who who lives in Colorado. Regardless, it’s a … MORE
This is one of the top hardest races I’ve run! The rolling hills and elevation are no joke , even as someone who who lives in Colorado. Regardless, it’s a gorgeous race that I’d do again.
49 running, a very fine community race.
The city roles out for this race, everyone welcomes, kids race, 4 year olds too, and us old guys. 10 mile road or 10K road or 10K trail. 2000 +- … MORE
The city roles out for this race, everyone welcomes, kids race, 4 year olds too, and us old guys. 10 mile road or 10K road or 10K trail. 2000 +- runners total. lots of hills. I ran this one after I did a half the day before and a 5k before that, drove 12.5 hours to get her, slept 3 hours and ran and I was not last. Its just a fine race.
Beautiful hilly race
The hills in this race are very challenging! But the scenery is top notch. This was personally a difficult race for me given the hills and also the elevation as … MORE
The hills in this race are very challenging! But the scenery is top notch. This was personally a difficult race for me given the hills and also the elevation as I live at sea level.
There were some fun freebies at the finish line area including massages!
Logistics wise, getting in and out of the parking lot was a mess. There is only one road in so all the cars were backed up and they had to delay the start of the race due to this.
Great Improvement
Fun course, lots of runners, 800 in the 10 mile, 574 in the 10k. Good aid stations and good food, and this is always well done. All road, one can … MORE
Fun course, lots of runners, 800 in the 10 mile, 574 in the 10k. Good aid stations and good food, and this is always well done. All road, one can not ask for a better done race.