There's a brand-new 5K in our neighborhood! The Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk is at 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2023, in Central Park in Denver. 

Organized by and benefiting Isabella Bird Community School, this annual, family-friendly event is open to the community, and all ages and fitness levels are welcome! You can run for time, run for fun, walk, skip, dance. They encourage you to bring your good energy & wear a festive outfit. 

For you more serious runners, this event is professionally timed and on an official 5K course. For 2023, they partnered with 3W Races.

**No dogs. For participant safety, no bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades.  Strollers or wagons being operated by adult participants are allowed.

What:  Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk

When:  Sunday, November 5, 2023, 10:00 a.m.

Where:  Central Park, 8801 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Denver, CO 80238 (see route)

Cost:  $25 for ages 12+ until November 2nd 
Kids 0-4 are free and 5-11 are $15

Registration/Questions:  runsignup.com/Race/CO/Denver/IsabellaBird

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The bRUNch Run is back on Sunday, October 10 in Central Park after taking a year off due to the pandemic. This race is an annual fundraiser for Denver-based nonprofit Metro Caring. The organization meets people’s immediate food needs while addressing the root cause of hunger: poverty. 

This family-friendly race brings together food and fitness with a side of fun. Participants receive a scented finisher’s medal, a pair of goodr sunglasses, bubbles from Korbel or Gruvi, pancake mix from Picky Bars, and a custom commemorative mug. At the finish line we have a small “party” with morning libations and snacks. 

When:  Sunday, October 10, 2021, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Where:  Central Park, 8801 Martin Luther King Blvd, Denver CO 80238

Register:  $49 at brunchrunning.com

Let's bRUNch out hunger and poverty!

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The 5th Annual Stanley Harvesting Hope is coming this Thanksgiving! It's a family-friendly Turkey Trot, featuring a professionally timed 5K and 10K with FREE kids fun run. 

The race will be held in Stapleton and takes runners and walkers through the beautiful trails surrounding Central Park. As a family-focused event, kids 10 and under are invited to participate in a free 1K fun run in addition to the professionally-timed, USATF certified 5K. New this year, the event will also offer the only 10K turkey trot and beer garden in the Denver metro area. 

Participants receive a T-shirt, swag bag, professionally timed results, free race photos, and a free adult beverage for those 21 and up. All attendees can enjoy free entertainment, food, and coffee. Dogs, strollers, and wheelchairs are welcome.

All proceeds are donated to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research to support their work in eliminating Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic condition causing insatiable hunger and other hormonal abnormalities. Prader-Willi syndrome is the leading genetic cause of life-threatening childhood obesity and currently, there is no treatment.

When:  November 28, 2019

Start Times:  Free Kids Fun Run - 9:00 a.m. - 5K and 10K Run - 9:45 a.m.

Location:  Stapleton Central Park, 8801 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238

Cost:  5K Run:  $40 in advance, $45 Race Day & Packet Pick-up Registration
10K Run:  $60 in advance, $65 Race Day & Packet Pick-up Registration

Website:  harvestinghope5k.com

Why it was started:

Now in its fifth year, Stanley Harvesting Hope was started by two Stapleton moms with deep ties to PWS who wanted to create a fun and safe way to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday – a particularly challenging day for those dealing with PWS. It is the only race in the state that brings awareness to this rare disease, and all proceeds go to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research to support their efforts in finding treatments.

About PWS:

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder that occurs in approximately one out of every 15,000 births. PWS is recognized as the most common genetic cause of life-threatening childhood obesity. The common characteristics defined in the initial report included small hands and feet, abnormal growth and body composition (small stature, very low lean body mass, and early-onset childhood obesity), hypotonia (weak muscles) at birth, insatiable hunger, extreme obesity, and intellectual disability. PWS results from an abnormality of chromosome 15, and definitive diagnosis is now based on genetic testing.


Let's run to support this great cause! Read the full story

At Snow Mountain Ranch, just outside of Winter Park, the weekend kicks off Wednesday night with a movie night showing the classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. On Thursday, grab the family for a 3.5 K Turkey Trot around the property and enjoy the Human Hungry Hungry Hippos game before the official Turkey Games including a turkey calling competition and pin the tail on the turkey. On Friday, join the Moose on the Loose hike or snowshoe and a Guided Gold Mine Tour as part of REI’s #OptOutside Black Friday initiative. Stay for the full long weekend and get creative with holiday cookie decorating, weird science programs, animal tracking, plus dodgeball, bingo, and campfires with s’mores. Guests also enjoy Nordic skiing, fat biking, sledding, sleigh rides, craft room, indoor archery, indoor climbing wall, roller skating, swimming and more.

In Estes Park, YMCA of the Rockies provides a nice retreat from the crowded ski towns (and I-70 traffic!). Thanksgiving is a special time at the property with family kickball and flag football games, scavenger hunts, holiday movie marathons and campfires with s'mores. The 9th-annual free Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk kicks off on-site at 8:00 AM on November 24 and dogs are welcome. Afterwards, a Thanksgiving Buffet is served throughout the day, featuring a carving station, seafood and dessert bar.  Families  and groups can enjoy a multitude of activities - the craft & design center is ideal for all ages (make your own tie–dyes or ceramics) and the kids love swimming in the indoor pool and playing miniature golf, while archery lessons get everyone involved in the fun.

Why not enjoy an active family or friends Thanksgiving holiday in a beautiful Colorado setting? Or head up for the day for something fun to do with visiting relatives (day passes are only $20/adult, $10/kids & under 5 years old free)?

More Information:

YMCA of the Rockies: http://ymcarockies.org/event/thanksgiving-activities/​ and lodge rooms start at $79/night
Snow Mountain Ranch: http://snowmountainranch.org/events/​ and lodge rooms start at $139/night

YMCA of the Rockies Thanksgiving Buffet:

Date:          Thursday, November 24, 2016
Time:         11:00am (first seating) to 2:30pm (last seating)
Location:    Assembly Hall at Estes Park Center
Price:          $35 per adult (ages 13 and up)
                     $15 per child (6 years old – 12 years old)
                     Free (Children 5 and under)

The Fine Print

• Price is not inclusive of sales tax and gratuity
• Cash, debit/credit card payment is due on the day of check-in, at Assembly Hall
• Time reservation slot is as follows (bottom of email)
• Each table will be re-seated after a party leaves
• Each party will receive 1.5 hours to enjoy the meal and their company
• Reserved tables with a no-show party or later than 15 minutes will be reseated for another seating
• Walk-ins will depend on cancellations, if any.

Buffet-Style Menu

• Carving station, omelet station, waffle station, seafood station, specialty salad, delicious hot entrees, dessert bar and pastries.
• Some entrees/sides may be gluten free but will be limited. Please contact us for more details or concerns.

Reservations

• Reservations are requires and are made on a first reserve, first basis
• Reservations open on Saturday, October 1st!
• Reservation must be made via Banquet and Special Event Office at EBanquets@ymcarockies.org ORHdennerline@ymcarockies.org OR (970) 586.3341 ext. 1378.
• Confirmed reservations will receive an email from EBanquets@ymcarockies.org ORHDennerline@ymcarockies.org
• Please provide full name, contact number, email address, preferred time slot and number of people in the party
• Your preferred time slot may not be guaranteed

Reservation Time Slots

• 11:00am (first)
• 11:15am
• 11:30am
• 12:00pm
• 12:15pm
• 12:30pm
• 1:00pm
• 1:15pm
• 1:30pm
• 2:00pm
• 2:15pm
• 2:30pm

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Lots of Stapletonians run one of the seven races of the Colfax Marathon on Sunday, May 18 - and you this is one race you should put on your calendar!

The Half Marathon sold out last year - and it's no wonder with a one mile run through Denver Zoo, before the zoo opens to the public. Last year, the rhino got so excited, he started running along his enclosure with the runners. You can register for this race for just $69 right now - that is a steal! Plus the men of the Colorado Firefighters Calendar are LIVE on the course at mile 11. Great photo opp.


There is the 26.2 mile Marathon and it's a great first timer marathon: fun, urban course, you get to run through Mile High Stadium twice - at miles 6 and 20, to give you that boost for the final 6.2 miles. You run along the Cherry Creek bike trail, Confluence and Platte River trail. There is a mini Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake. Colfax Avenue, of course, downtown, and finish in City Park for a big Afterparty. With beer. And Jim'N Nick's Bar-B-Q!


Teams of 5 runners can split the marathon course in the Marathon Relay - which includes Colorado's biggest corporate race - and top teams win cash for the Charity Partner of their choice.

That's our favorite part of the race: local charities, large and small, can raise money through the race. Every runner has the opportunity to run for one of the 100+ charities. You wear their back bib during the race, and it adds just a little something to your run. And our school PTAs can become Charity Partners - so you can even run for your kid's school! SOAR School in Green Valley Ranch participates. So does Kent Denver, Joshua School, Bridge School, and DPS Foundation - which provides college scholarships to qualifying seniors, so check them out, too. Get your school PTA to check it out! Other east Denver charities include Children's Hospital Foundation, Brent's Place, Aurora Warms the Night, and The Greenway Foundation - the folks who take care of our Westerly Creek areas.

And don't forget to kick off Marathon Weekend with the Colfax 5K on Saturday, May 17th in City Park: kid and stroller friendly, and now dog-friendly too. Lots of dog charities will be there on Saturday: PAWS & Co. Adoptions, Animal Rescue of the Rockies, and Cinnamon, the service dog from National Sports Center for the Disabled.

This race has something for everyone. And best of all, it's local. Supports our community. We know you're out training - we see you every morning on the Stapleton trails. Put it on your calendar!


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The  Color Run Denver is on August 3! Are you running it?

These runs have taken the country by storm. To some of us old-school runners, it seems silly: run an untimed 5K? Why?

The answer is this: to have fun, purely for the sake of having fun.

It looks like something straight out of Nickelodeon: you wear all white, and along the 5K race course, you are doused in bright neon colors. By the time you cross the finish line you should look like a Jackson Pollack painting. It's "like a powdered sugar fight."

Can kids come? Absolutely. As long as they can make it 3.1 miles, bring them! Kids under 5 are FREE with an adult!

Strollers? Sure!

Dogs? No.

And what is the color? Is it safe? From their FAQ's on their website:

The Color Run™ explosions are basically food grade cornstarch and are 100% natural and SAFE.  As with any substance, you want to keep it out of your eyes and our “certified” color throwers make sure to aim low as you pass by.  Some “Color Runners”  opt to wear glasses or goggles for their eyes and use a bandana or dust mask for their mouths.  As shown on the “about” page the middle lane is the “low color lane,” which offers a “lighter” color experience.  In summary: We work pretty hard to make it so our precious “Color Runners” get as much or as little color on them as they like.

Use this promo code to get $5 off registration: COLORDENVER




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Start Father's Day weekend with a fun run for the whole family in Central Park! Get half off registration to the SET the PACE for Prostate Cancer 5K on Saturday, June 16, 2012 - just $15.  The race starts at 8:30 am. There's a 5K or a 1 mile shortcut, and even a kid's race - the Dash for Dads! Stick around for BBQ from Famous Dave's afterwards!


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