Get some fresh air, and escape to the mountains this summer! With the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, 5K, and Elk Double (half marathon + 5K), you can choose your own adventure!
The course runs on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CO. Most of the pre and post-race activities will be held in Estes Park, CO. The 5K will take place Friday night after the expo.
The race will begin on the Lake Estes Trail around Community Drive and N St. Vrain Ave.
You will be running counter clockwise around the lake along the lake paved trail. When you come to Mall Rd you will take a left and run on Mall Rd until almost 1 mile where you will turn left back onto the lake trail. At mile 3 you will cross the bridge into the Visitors Center parking lot where you will have your first Aid Station. You will skirt along the parking lot and then cross Big Thompson where you will run against traffic for the next 1.5 miles. You’ll turn left off Big Thompson onto Lone Pine Drive. You’ll then make another immediate right onto N. Lake Ave.
You will take another left onto Dry Gulch and run for approximately 3 miles. This will be a steady uphill grade. At the end of Dry Gulch you will make a left onto Devil’s Gulch. Devil’s Gulch will have some rolling hills for the next few miles, but it will mostly be downhill. Just before mile 11 you will take a left onto MacGregor Ave. This will be a nice flat section of the course. You’ll then take a left Wonderview Ave and run against traffic to SW Steamer Pky where you will take a left and then and immediate right onto Steamer Pky. You’ll run with traffic on Steamer Pky to Steamer Dr, where you will take another right. You’ll then run down Steamer Dr to Big Thompson Ave, cross Big Thompson and run into the Visitors Center Parking lot. Again running counter clockwise around the lake to the finish line which will be at the same place that you started.
The Rocky Mountain Half Marathon is produced by Vacation Races and part of their National Park Half Marathon Series.
Beautiful Race Through Estes Park
Beautiful views from the hillsides of Estes Park after climbing ~400 feet over the first 5 miles followed by a gentle downhill for the rest of the race down to … MORE
Beautiful views from the hillsides of Estes Park after climbing ~400 feet over the first 5 miles followed by a gentle downhill for the rest of the race down to the lakeside park near the start line.
Run The Rockies
Vacation Races has done it again!! So glad this was my first in-person race of 2020. They made me feel so comfortable with participating in this setting with their frequent … MORE
Vacation Races has done it again!! So glad this was my first in-person race of 2020. They made me feel so comfortable with participating in this setting with their frequent communication via email prior to the race, and adhering to social distancing precautions from start to finish on race day. The waves were small and spread out, so you never felt congested on the course. The drive thru packet pick-up was very efficient! I did miss the feel of the pre-race expo and post race celebration, but I completely understand why things had to change.
This course itself is breathtaking! Challenging, but beautiful. Makes the burn totally worth it! I am lucky enough to live in Colorado and I still found myself struggling for air at points, as there is a solid 3.5 mile hill at the beginning, so definitely train for hills. It’s a must for people who are from out of state and want to experience the best of RMNP. Also, the shirts and medals were on point this year.
Rocky Mountain High
This was a great race in a beautiful place. The event was very well thought out and in the time of Covid every precaution taken. The course was moderately difficult … MORE
This was a great race in a beautiful place. The event was very well thought out and in the time of Covid every precaution taken. The course was moderately difficult with many hills and one long steady hill towards the beginning but the hill towards the end was the worst.
AMAZING
This is a difficult road course but the views are more than worth it. Even with the restrictions due to COVID-19 Race Vacations did an amazing job! They spaced out … MORE
This is a difficult road course but the views are more than worth it. Even with the restrictions due to COVID-19 Race Vacations did an amazing job! They spaced out participants as needed and they had a drive thru bib pick up. The communication was top notch and you can’t get many medals better than the National Park medals they have. The chance to run through Estes Park is a bucket list item. They do have cupless water stops but a water pouch is included with registration if you don’t have a way to carry water on your own. I will do this one again for sure!
Altitude!
Course was road or paved path. 3.5 mile incline. What made this race tough was simply altitude. Somewhat scenic course, the mountains are far off in the distance, but still … MORE
Course was road or paved path. 3.5 mile incline. What made this race tough was simply altitude. Somewhat scenic course, the mountains are far off in the distance, but still a pretty run.
Beautiful, great swag, well organized
Vacation races did a great job organizing and actually conducting a safe race during the pandemic. The location is fantastic for scenery and is a great combination for running and … MORE
Vacation races did a great job organizing and actually conducting a safe race during the pandemic. The location is fantastic for scenery and is a great combination for running and visiting a magnificent natural park. As a runner not used to higher altitudes, my performance was affected, so it’s important to manage expectations for race results. I had a great experience and look forward to my next Vacation Race. Oh, and the medal was unique and top notch.
Great race
Fantastic race as always put on by Vacation Races. They never disappoint. Very scenic and the best medals. Had so much fun we are going again this year. Train for … MORE
Fantastic race as always put on by Vacation Races. They never disappoint. Very scenic and the best medals. Had so much fun we are going again this year. Train for elevation and hills if you can.
A Jog Around the Reservoir!
The course is all paved and circumvents the reservoir on the south side of Estes Park. Night time run which allows for cooler temps and easier on Flatlanders (Like me). … MORE
The course is all paved and circumvents the reservoir on the south side of Estes Park. Night time run which allows for cooler temps and easier on Flatlanders (Like me). Packet pickup was easy and the swag for the Elk Doubler is AWESOME!! The medal is a smaller version of the half marathon and there is a third medal for finishing both!
The Mountains Are Calling
Flatlanders would benefit from this as a first time course. The mountains cheer you on as you race around Estes Park. The aid stations are excellent and swag is AWESOME!! … MORE
Flatlanders would benefit from this as a first time course. The mountains cheer you on as you race around Estes Park. The aid stations are excellent and swag is AWESOME!! I did the Elk Doubler which had the 5K the night before in addition to this run. Great practice run before Pike’s Peak!
First race after my knee surgery...
The mountains made the race this time around!! Did the half the year prior, and returned for the 5k as my first race after surgery. Had a wonderful experience, but … MORE
The mountains made the race this time around!! Did the half the year prior, and returned for the 5k as my first race after surgery. Had a wonderful experience, but the knee still gave me trouble… At no fault of the race staff, Vacation Races, etc. !!! Glad to say this was my first race in the bounce back! 🙂
Gorgeous race
I had a great time, but should have taken the altitude difference more seriously. I'm from San Diego, and the difference was brutal. I would love to do it again, … MORE
I had a great time, but should have taken the altitude difference more seriously. I’m from San Diego, and the difference was brutal. I would love to do it again, though!
Great race!
This was my first Vacation Race event, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Even though the race doesn't actually take place inside Rocky Mountain National Park, it is still a stunning … MORE
This was my first Vacation Race event, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Even though the race doesn’t actually take place inside Rocky Mountain National Park, it is still a stunning race to participate in. The start of the race is super early; I was a little apprehensive about this, but it ended up working out because my friends and I still had the whole day after we were finished with the race. The long uphill grade in the first half of the race was challenging but manageable, and the second half was mostly flat or downhill.
This is a great race, and I highly recommend it! It’s a great way to work a race into a vacation!
Will be doing this race again!
This race was very organized and well ran! The course scenery was beyond beautiful and the course was a great challenge. Everyone at the aide stations were very helpful and … MORE
This race was very organized and well ran! The course scenery was beyond beautiful and the course was a great challenge. Everyone at the aide stations were very helpful and I love that this race is non-cup to eliminate waste that usually happens. All of the volunteers were very supportive along the course. I am planning on doing this race again!
Perfect Race for a Vacation
This was my 2nd Vacation Races Run. Having it in the town of Estes Park makes it the perfect place to plan a vacation around this amazing race. You have … MORE
This was my 2nd Vacation Races Run. Having it in the town of Estes Park makes it the perfect place to plan a vacation around this amazing race. You have the National Park just a few miles away. Lots of hotels to stay at walking distance from the starting line. Tons of restaurants and entertainment in the town. The race its self was really tough for a few miles (all up hill) but on the way back down it had amazing views of the Rocky Mountains well worth it. Don’t expect to get your best time with the 3 miles of up hill and the thin air being 8000 above sea level. Again Vacation Races puts on a amazing race with lots of entertainment all weekend. I wish I would have done the 5K the night before. Plan a week vacation when doing this race.
Awesome place to have a race!
Rocky Mountain is a spectacular National Park! During the run, you are surrounded by beautiful vistas, mile 9 gives you an awesome view of Long's Peak, it is just stunning. … MORE
Rocky Mountain is a spectacular National Park! During the run, you are surrounded by beautiful vistas, mile 9 gives you an awesome view of Long’s Peak, it is just stunning. VR knows how to put on a race. I encourage you to do all the VR races!!!
Loved it!
The course was well marked and it was moderately challenging especially if you're not used to the higher altitudes. I recommend you spend about a day or two in the … MORE
The course was well marked and it was moderately challenging especially if you’re not used to the higher altitudes. I recommend you spend about a day or two in the area prior to race day. The volunteers and coordinators were amazing! Thank you all for an amazing experience!
Great time great location!
Great race beautiful scenery. Would have really liked to have stayed longer and enjoyed the park. Would love to go again but they changed the dates of the race this … MORE
Great race beautiful scenery. Would have really liked to have stayed longer and enjoyed the park. Would love to go again but they changed the dates of the race this year would recommend this to anybody who wanted to run at high altitudes.
Great Scenery.
The Scenery will be hard to beat. The route was well planned with great views along the way. Training for the elevation is recommended, especially hills. MORE
The Scenery will be hard to beat. The route was well planned with great views along the way. Training for the elevation is recommended, especially hills.
Beautiful!
Very organized event. It was also the perfect temperature and Estes Park is a beautiful place! Everyone should visit here. I also participated in the 5k which was so great! MORE
Very organized event. It was also the perfect temperature and Estes Park is a beautiful place! Everyone should visit here. I also participated in the 5k which was so great!
Had an absolutely beautiful time!
The mountains surrounding made the hills much more palatable. I'd recommend this race for anyone looking for a bit of a challenge with the altitude, but still definitely a doable … MORE
The mountains surrounding made the hills much more palatable. I’d recommend this race for anyone looking for a bit of a challenge with the altitude, but still definitely a doable course. The cup-free atmosphere was much appreciated, and the aid stations along the way were nice. Great race!!