DENVER – Nearly 20,000 runners will lace up and take to the streets of Denver, Aurora and Lakewood for the 13th annual Colfax Marathon this Sunday.
Here’s what you should know if you’re (or not) participating in the race:
There will be no race day packet pick up, so you better go pick it up Saturday
The Health & Fitness Expo at Mile High Stadium at Mile High Club Suits indoors will be the only place where runners will be able to pick up their race packets.
People attending the Colfax Marathon, the half marathon, the 10 miler and the relay must attend. You are asked to bring your bib number and a photo ID.
The expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. More information about the expo can be found here.
The Colfax Marathon
Considered “the ultimate urban tour” of the metro area, the mile-high course takes runners on and off Colfax Avenue through parks, neighborhoods, trails and through downtown Denver.
Those participating will have a chance to enjoy some incredible views of the Front Range, including Confluence Park, Sports Authority Field at Mile High’s concourse and the Cherry Creek trail.
But say you’re not participating but still want to be part of the fun. Where can you watch?
Luckily for you, there will a total of five spots where you’ll be able to cheer on the runners during the marathon. Those spots will be located at:
- 14th and Larimer
- Mile High Stadium
- Sloan’s Lake
- Rocky Mountain College of Arts and Design
- Dudley and Colfax, near Rockley Music
There’s other spectator options if you’re more interested in watching the half marathon or the Urban 10. To see where those will be, click here.
The Colfax Marathon starts at 5:30 a.m. and will go until about noon, or 1 p.m. at the latest.
OMG. What about traffic?
So, if you’re planning on doing business (or pleasure) in downtown Denver, you might want to hold off until the end of the race.
The marathon will have full and partial closures of westbound and eastbound Colfax from Aurora to Lakewood (from Kipling Street in the west, to Havana Street to the east; and from W. 26th Avenue to the north to 6th Avenue to the south).
These traffic impacts could start as early as 3 a.m. Sunday and go as late as 1 p.m. that same day.
Roads that cross Colfax Avenue and 17th Avenue could also experience significant delays, according to organizers. The easiest places where you’ll be able to cross Colfax will be at I-25, Federal Boulevard and I-225.
Drivers are urged to avoid Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue altogether.
To view a full map of the race route and the areas that will be impacted through traffic, click here.
Say I’m not driving but are using the bus instead. How will that affect me?
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has bad news for you: Buses and light rail will be impacted from 3 a.m. to about 2 p.m. Sunday.
The following routes will be temporarily detoured in many areas, and will be allowed to cross the marathon route when possible:
0, 1, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 15L, 16, 19, 20, 24, 28, 30, 32, 38, 40, 43, 44, 48, 52, 65, 73, 76, 83L.
Impacted light rail services include the D, F, and H rail lines.
Travelers are advised to to give themselves more time to plan for their destinations. Signs will be posted at RTD stations and stops affected by the detours.
