The Colorado Marathon Relay gives teams of runners the chance to tackle Colorado’s most scenic downhill marathon course together. Relay teams are divided across the dramatic point-to-point course that descends from the Rocky Mountain foothills through the Cache la Poudre River Canyon \u2014 a designated Wild and Scenic River \u2014 all the way to the finish line in Washington Park in Old Town Fort Collins. The canyon section features rushing whitewater rapids, dramatic sandstone walls, and cottonwood groves; the lower miles roll through agricultural land and Fort Collins neighborhoods before the vibrant downtown finish.<\/p>\n
The 2027 Colorado Marathon Relay takes place Sunday, May 2, with relay runners bussed to the Poudre Canyon start in the pre-dawn hours. The relay format allows different team members to run individual legs of the canyon-to-city course, making Colorado’s most beloved marathon accessible to groups and teams who want to share the experience. Relay teams finish alongside marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K runners at the Washington Park finish area, with a full post-race celebration in Old Town Fort Collins.<\/p>\n
The Colorado Marathon Relay is special because the Poudre Canyon section is one of Colorado’s most stunning natural settings. Teams that participate get to run through places that most people only see from their car on US-287. The combination of genuine wilderness character, the canyon river soundtrack, and the civilized Fort Collins finish area creates a relay experience with both natural beauty and community warmth. It’s one of the most scenic relay courses in the Mountain West.<\/p>\n
The canyon start area is remote and cold before dawn \u2014 relay runners should have full warm layers and a headlamp for the bus ride and pre-race wait. Coordinate transportation carefully between relay legs as the canyon has limited car access. Fort Collins is a wonderful college town with exceptional craft beer culture (it’s the home of New Belgium, Odell, and Fort Collins Brewery) \u2014 build in time to explore after the race. Register early as the relay typically sells out alongside the popular full marathon distance.<\/p>\n