Colorado Marathon runs again: What to know for 2024 edition of popular Fort Collins race

Race recap: Andrew Lent leads all-Colorado top-10 to win 2024 Colorado Marathon

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Spring means another big-time race in Fort Collins.

After April's Horsetooth Half Marathon, it's time for the Colorado Marathon, which is celebrating its 22nd running.

The marathon is known for its stunning scenery and challenging but rewarding downhill course, attracting runners from all over the country.

Along with the marathon, the event also includes a half-marathon plus 10K and 5K races. More than 4,000 runners are expected to compete across the four races.

Here's what you need to know about the 2024 Colorado Marathon:

When does the Colorado Marathon run?

The race begins at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, May 5, for the marathon and half-marathon, while the 10K and 5K races roll at 7 a.m.

The top half-marathoners normally hit the finish line by about 7:40 a.m., while the top marathoners complete the race by approximately 9 a.m.

Can you still register for the Colorado Marathon?

While registration was slated to remain open through this week, spots for the half and full marathons are sold out as of Tuesday.

There are still a limited number of "Charity Fund" entries left. These entries are double the price ($360 for full, $300 for half) and all proceeds go to local charities and nonprofits involved in the race.

Spots in the 10K and 5K races are still available. You can register at comarathon.enmotive.com/events/register/2024-colorado-marathon.

In-person registration and packet pickup will be available on Friday from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, 417 Magnolia St., in Fort Collins.

If you are doing morning-of-race packet pickups, here are the times to know:

• Marathon: 4:15-4:45 a.m. in Old Town Square on Mountain Avenue by bus pickup.

• Half-marathon: 4:30-5 a.m. in Washington Park at the white info tent.

• 10k: 6:15-6:45 a.m. in Washington Park at the white info tent near the start/finish area.

• 5k: 5:45-6:15 a.m. in Washington Park at the white info tent.

Who won last year's race?

First-time marathoner Benjamin Randall won the 2023 Colorado Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 6 seconds, breaking the course record. He won by nearly 11 minutes and beat the 2022 winning time by more than 12 minutes.

Lisa Duncan won the women's marathon in 2:59:20. Rob Jenson won the half-marathon in 1:13:50. Dani Cook took the women's half-marathon title in 1:20:42.

What's the weather look like for the Colorado Marathon?

The National Weather Service in Boulder calls for mostly sunny weather Sunday morning in Fort Collins, with temperatures around 50 degrees by 7 a.m. and rising into the 60s by late morning.

Similar but slightly cooler weather is expected in the Poudre Canyon, with temperatures around 45 degrees expected near start time.

What are the courses for the races?

The courses will follow the same routes from the 2023 edition.

The full marathon starts in the Poudre Canyon near Stevens Gulch Picnic Site, just past Stove Prairie Campground.

Runners head down the canyon on Colorado Highway 14 for approximately 17 miles before reaching U.S. Highway 287 at Ted's Place. The race then takes the Poudre River Trail into the downtown Fort Collins finish line near Washington Park along Howes Street between Laporte Avenue and Maple Street.

The half-marathon traces the same route but starts only 4 miles into the canyon around Gateway Natural Area.

The 10K race begins near the finish line, runs through Old Town West to Lee Martinez Park and reaches the Poudre Trail heading northwest until Taft Hill Road, where runners will basically follow their route back to the starting line.

The 5K race begins along the Poudre Trail west of Taft Hill Road and follows approximately the same route along the trail to the finish line.

Runners often qualify for Boston Marathon

The course is popular for its consistent but relatively gentle downhill descent, meaning runners often set personal bests.

It also makes the Colorado Marathon a popular race for Boston Marathon qualifying.

The course begins just above 6,100 feet and has very little uphill with a steady downhill push until the finish line, which sits just below 5,000 feet.

According to race organizers, about 16% to 18% of Colorado Marathon entrants qualify for the country's most prestigious road race.

Bus transportation to starting lines required

All participants in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K races must ride buses to the starting line.

The 10K course is an out-and-back course, so no bus transportation is necessary.

The buses will have restrooms on board, and riders can eat and drink on the buses.

Buses to the marathon starting line will depart between 4:15 and 4:45 a.m. from the south end of Old Town Square, along Mountain Avenue.

Buses to the half-marathon start will leave the downtown Fort Collins Transit Center (Laporte Avenue and Mason Street) from 4:30 to 5:15 a.m. Buses to the 5K starting line will take off from the Fort Collins Transit Center from 6 to 6:30 a.m.

Places to cheer on Colorado Marathon runners

Traffic in the Poudre Canyon is limited to residents only during the race. But there are plenty of other spots along the route to cheer on marathon participants:

• Ted’s Place

• Along the Poudre River Trail behind Cache la Poudre Middle School in LaPorte

• The Poudre River Trail crossing at Taft Hill Road

• At the finish line near Washington Park, on Howes Street between Laporte Avenue and Maple Street

For more info on the race, visit comarathon.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado Marathon: What to know about the 2024 Fort Collins race