The 2026 Estes Park Marathon & Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in the spectacular mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado — the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Widely ranked as America's most scenic marathon course and named by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top 7 most scenic races in the USA, the point-to-point course descends from its start at the Dao House on CO Highway 7 at approximately 8,300 feet elevation, dropping an exhilarating 1,500 feet in the first 6.5 miles. Along the way, runners are treated to unobstructed 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park, passing the landmark Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining), circling Lake Estes, and finishing at the Estes Park High School track at 7,550 feet. All participants are required to take the free Rocky Mountain Transit shuttle from Estes Park High School to the Dao House start. The Half Marathon also earns entry into the Colorado Mountain Half Series, benefiting local youth programs. Runner's World magazine recommends this as a top destination race.
🏆 Forbes Top 7 Most Scenic Race in the USA · Runner's World Recommended — The Estes Park Marathon has earned national recognition for its breathtaking setting. Surrounded by 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park, runners start beneath the shadow of Longs Peak (14,259 ft) and the Continental Divide. The Half Marathon is also the first race in the Colorado Mountain Half Series — 5-race series benefiting local youth programs.
Course Elevation Profile
~8,300 ft
Start elevation
Dao House
-1,500 ft
Descent first
6.5 miles
7,550 ft
Finish elevation
EP High School
360°
Rocky Mountain
NP views
🦌 Wildlife on the course — Estes Park is home to one of Colorado's largest populations of Rocky Mountain elk. Herds are regularly spotted along CO Highway 7, on the Lake Estes Trail, and in Dry Gulch. Mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, and even mountain lions roam the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary area the course traverses. There is no more alive marathon course in America.
MARATHON
26.2 mi
Sun. June 21, 2026 — Dao House, CO Hwy 7 — Rolling start 5:00–7:00 AM
26.2 miles · 1,500 ft descent first 6.5 mi · CO Hwy 7 · Stanley Hotel · Lake Estes Trail · Dry Gulch / Devil's Gulch loop · Finish EP High School track (7,550 ft) · Sunrise Achiever 4:45 AM · Shuttle required from EP High School · Aid stations ~every 2 miles · Fitmap
HALF
MARATHON
13.1 mi
Sun. June 21, 2026 — Dao House, CO Hwy 7 — Rolling start · Shuttle required
13.1 miles · 1,500 ft descending course · Around Lake Estes · Longs Peak views · Continental Divide views · Rocky Mountain NP boundary · Finish EP High School track · Colorado Mountain Half Series (Race 1 of 5) · Finisher medal · Fitmap
LONGS PEAK
5-MILE
Sun. June 21, 2026 — Estes Park — Same start/finish as main events
5 miles · Scenic Estes Park course · Longs Peak views · Open to all · Fitmap
ESTES TRAIL
DESCENT
7.75 mi
Sun. June 21, 2026 — Estes Park — Mixed trail terrain · Historical route
7.75 miles · Mixed trail terrain · Historical descent route to Estes Park · Views of RMNP · Shuttle to start · Fitmap
KIDS FUN
RUN
Race weekend · Estes Park — Free · All ages welcome
Short distance · Free for kids · Estes Park High School area · Fun race atmosphere · Rocky Mountain National Park backdrop
Start: Dao House lower parking lot, 6120 CO-Hwy 7, Estes Park, CO 80517 (~8,300 ft). Finish: Estes Park High School Track & Field, 1600 Manford Ave (7,550 ft). Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026. Shuttle: Required for all participants · Rocky Mountain Transit buses · Marathon pickup 4:00 AM, Half Marathon 4:45 AM from EP High School lot · 20–25 min ride · Sign up for departure time at registration. Start windows: Sunrise Achiever (Marathon walker/slow) 4:45 AM · Walkers 5:00 AM · Runners 5:30–7:00 AM (rolling start). Course surface: Road shoulders, Fish Creek Trail (dirt), paved pathways. Aid stations: Approximately every 2 miles. Packet pickup: Saturday 7:00 AM–5:00 PM or Sunday 4:00–6:25 AM · EP High School Commons. NO race-day registration. Elevation: Start ~8,300 ft · Finish 7,550 ft · Net descent ~1,500 ft first 6.5 mi. Awards: Forbes Top 7 Scenic Race USA · Runner's World recommended. Half Marathon series: Colorado Mountain Half Series (Race 1 of 5 · benefits local youth programs). Timing: Fitmap · fitmap.app/events/estes-park-marathon-2026. Website: epmarathon.org.
Race Overview
| Event |
Distance · Elevation |
Start · Course · Info |
| Marathon 26.2 MI FORBES TOP 7 |
26.2 mi · -1,500 ft |
5:30 AM rolling · Hwy 7 → Stanley Hotel → Lake Estes → EP High School · Fitmap |
| Half Marathon 13.1 MI FORBES TOP 7 |
13.1 mi · -1,500 ft |
Rolling start · Around Lake Estes · Longs Peak views · CO Mountain Half Series · Fitmap |
| Estes Trail Descent 7.75 MI |
7.75 mi · Mixed trail |
Historical route to Estes Park · Trail terrain · RMNP views · Shuttle · Fitmap |
| Longs Peak 5-Mile 5 MI |
5 miles |
Scenic Estes Park · Longs Peak backdrop · All abilities · Fitmap |
| Kids Fun Run FREE |
Short distance |
Free · All ages · EP High School area · Rocky Mountain NP backdrop |
| ESTES PARK 2026 Rocky Mountain NP · Longs Peak 14,259 ft · Continental Divide · Stanley Hotel · Lake Estes · 360° views · Shuttle required · Fitmap · epmarathon.org |
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![trail campagne[93]](/getfile.php/5497519.1046.julzzpuqtzwabz/trail+campagne%5B93%5D.jpg)