The Colfax Marathon Relay lets teams of five runners share the full 26.2-mile Colfax Marathon course through Denver’s most iconic landmarks. The relay is divided into four legs, sending runners through Empower Field at Mile High on the warning track, along the bustling Colfax Avenue past the State Capitol and VooDoo Donuts, through a full mile inside Denver Zoo with live animal spectators, around Sloan’s Lake with Rocky Mountain views, and through Lakewood before returning to the City Park finish festival. Exchange zones are strategically located at memorable Denver landmarks, making spectating easy and exciting.<\/p>\n
The 2027 Colfax Marathon Relay starts Sunday, May 16, 2027 at 6:00 AM alongside the full marathon runners. Relay teams compete in Corporate, Government, Public School, and Open divisions, making the event accessible to office teams, school groups, and community organizations. Each runner runs one leg of the relay; legs vary in distance from approximately 3 to 8 miles. All relay runners and teams finish at the massive City Park after-party with live music, beer garden, and food trucks lakeside. Every bib includes a free RTD transit pass for the day.<\/p>\n
The Colfax Marathon Relay is one of Colorado’s most popular team sporting events, drawing hundreds of corporate and community teams each year. The relay format makes marathon-distance running accessible to groups of friends, coworkers, and community members who might not individually take on 26.2 miles. Team camaraderie, the epic course, and the City Park finish party combine to create an unforgettable shared experience. Many teams return year after year, building relay traditions that span decades.<\/p>\n
Relay teams need a logistics plan for each exchange zone \u2014 study the course map and ensure all runners have transportation to their starting exchange point. Denver road closures from 5 AM\u20131 PM on race Sunday affect large portions of central Denver; plan drop-offs well in advance. Each relay runner should dress appropriately for their start time \u2014 early starters (around 6 AM) may face temperatures in the upper 30s\u00b0F. The mandatory expo at Empower Field on Friday and Saturday is where relay team captains pick up all team bibs.<\/p>\n