Experience the Magic of Running in Santa Fe, the Land of Enchantment: The Santa Fe International Half Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a journey through the heart of history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Held annually on the third Sunday of September, this unique event invites runners …
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Experience the Magic of Running in Santa Fe, the Land of Enchantment: The Santa Fe International Half Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a journey through the heart of history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Held annually on the third Sunday of September, this unique event invites runners worldwide to experience the magic of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The annual Santa Fe International Half Marathon welcomes runners of all ages and abilities, whether you’re looking for a personal best, trying out a new challenge, or bringing your family for a fun day.
It’s also an opportunity for community members, health enthusiasts, and visitors to get together, learn about Santa Fe’s vibrant culture, and make a difference. This year, we are proud to run for water in collaboration with the Kitany Water Project to help bring clean, sustainable water to underserved communities.
Race Categories:
- Half Marathon: A scenic 13.1-mile race starting at La Tienda Plaza Eldorado point-to-point through Old Las Vegas Highway and finishing at the Railyard, offering stunning views of Santa Fe’s historic landmarks.
- 3-Amigos Relay: Team up with three friends or first responders to complete the half marathon as a team.
- 4K Run: A shorter, 2.48-mile course from the Railyard Community Garden to the park.
- Kids Run: ages 3 to 14; A free, fun 1K activity for children of all ages—just walk in during the expo or on race day to register.
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Just bad
The “Health and Wellness Expo” was very small and only had a few vendors, most of which weren’t running related. The race check-in was tucked into a corner of the … MORE
The “Health and Wellness Expo” was very small and only had a few vendors, most of which weren’t running related. The race check-in was tucked into a corner of the Expo room and was very hard to find. We walked right past it and had to ask where it was!
We checked in on Friday and it took a while to get my bib. I think they were just getting the hang of a new system or something? The unisex shirts were pretty bad – the design itself was ok but there was “OK” all over it which was weird for a NM race.
On race morning, my friends and I boarded the shuttle which was a nice charter bus. It took us to the start line 13 miles away and dropped us in a small shopping center parking lot seemingly in the middle of nowhere. There was no one directing us where to wait and there was no signage. We wandered around and found an open door in the shopping center to wait. There were no porta potties at the start and only 2 restroom stalls for women.
The start was 10 minutes late and we began by looping around the shopping center before going into the main road. This course was really dangerous for runners. We ran with traffic on the side of a busy road for most of the race. There were no cones or barricades between the cars and the runners. Police were there directing traffic at intersections, at least. The first 10 miles had pretty big hills. The course distance was off starting from the Mile 1 marker and continued to the very end, with a total distance of around 12.96 miles.
Once we got into town, we were supposed to run on the brick sidewalks which were very uneven and slippery in places.
The course scenery was not great. Mostly interstate and traffic. The hills in the distance were pretty but I couldn’t fully enjoy them due to the traffic.
At the finish line, there was no food anywhere in sight and there was only coolers of water. The medals were cheap and some Half finishers got 4k medals.
I do not recommend this race. It was very disappointing.
Hard race but did it!
Hard with altitude, dry air, steep incline first 4 miles and steep up and down in the middle. End with 2 miles downhill. Be hydrated and remember to walk enough. MORE
Hard with altitude, dry air, steep incline first 4 miles and steep up and down in the middle. End with 2 miles downhill. Be hydrated and remember to walk enough.
And New Mexico makes #33
There was only 1 other review for this race so wasn't quite sure what to expect so guess I'm the guinea pig for this one :). This race is not … MORE
There was only 1 other review for this race so wasn’t quite sure what to expect so guess I’m the guinea pig for this one :).
This race is not horribly expensive so it might be a you get what you pay for.
I loved that this race finished at the resort casino-great for a mini getaway!
Packet pick up was also at the resort-however it was in a back parking lot-far far away from the resort-I think I had pictured something different. There was a few vendors with some folding tables mainly selling homemade jewelry and shirts-nothing race related. The only swag you got was a unisex tech shirt. The small is still a dress for me.
Race morning, they ran shuttles from the resort starting at 5:30am-giving the race was only about 350 people, starting 2 hours early in the cold seemed a bit extreme. I got on the bus a bit after 6-unfortunately, our bus driver got lost and didn’t know where to drop us off!
Arriving at the start…there was only 4 port a potties-no food, coffee-nothing and bag check was late.
On the course, there was no mile markers, no directionals where you are to go. The course elevation chart is not even close-the first 2 miles are uphill, mile 3 downhill but the rest of the course is rolling hills not drastic downhill. The high elevation and hills were TOUGH! Around mile 10, I started to go the wrong way, thankfully the lady behind me caught it and directed me the rest of the way to the finish line. The finish is on a hill as well on your way into the resort parking lot.
On the course, there were aid stations every 2 miles. There is no gu and very watered down gatorade…I think….there was no photographers on the course or at the finish line.
At the finish, there was the same vendors and 1 food truck.
The highlight of the race was the native american entertainers at the odd miles.
The woman, that thankfully directed me, told me the race had changed hands after covid and it’s not what it used to be. It does make me sad as when you travel really far and are looking forward to a race and it’s just not the same as you expected, you almost feel let down. I hope the race directors provide a survey or at least take feedback from the participants to make it better next year.
Best half-marathon, but I bonked!!!
VERY COLD at starting line and VERY WARM at finish line, so don't "tuck" your energy gel(s) into pockets or arm sleeves that will be ripped off after first few … MORE
VERY COLD at starting line and VERY WARM at finish line, so don’t “tuck” your energy gel(s) into pockets or arm sleeves that will be ripped off after first few miles! LOL – I learned this the hard way, and had to make one gel packet last the whole race! Yikes… wish I had known there was going to be a volunteer at mile 9 passing out energy gels and I wouldn’t have tried to make my one remaining energy gel last so long – moral of the story is ALWAYS know if there is replacement gel(s) and re-fueling stations on the course. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL RACE!!!