Run for It

The 2011 Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon is the fourth-largest charity partner race in the country, says race spokeswoman Liz Easterly, with 73 partners and more than 8,000 runners expected. It’s also become one of the biggest celebrations of the city, starting and ending in City Park and making its way...

By Colin Bane

May 12, 2011

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The 2011 Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon is the fourth-largest charity partner race in the country, says race spokeswoman Liz Easterly, with 73 partners and more than 8,000 runners expected. It’s also become one of the biggest celebrations of the city, starting and ending in City Park and making its way along Colfax Avenue with detours to Confluence Park, the Children’s Museum, Invesco Field at Mile High, and the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.

“The race is sponsored by Denver, Aurora and Lakewood, and the cities were really interested in making the race course an urban showcase,” Easterly says. “One of our missions is to support the vibrant Colfax corridor and show different sides of the neighborhoods just off the busy thoroughfare, so we’ve changed the race courses a bit. Our half-marathon course literally goes right through Aurora Fire Station #1: They’re opening up the bay doors for us!”

Race weekend gets under way on Saturday with a 5K race — new this year — at 9 a.m. (adult registration is $30, with registration available on race day until 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Kids Running America event at 10:30 Sunday brings the marathon ($120) and half-marathon ($80) race options, as well as Municipal Cup and Corporate Cup relays. Last-minute planners can register at www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org or the Denver Athletic Club until Saturday — or skip the race altogether and just come for the “Come Back to Colfax” shopping coupons and all-day party in City Park.
Sat., May 14; Sun., May 15, 2011

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