guides

🏃 Upcoming Races, Runs, & Rides in Douglas County

5Ks & More in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, and Surrounding Areas

By Kyrie Collins, Macaroni KID Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree Publisher March 14, 2024

Participating in a race is a great way to be active outside, spend time with friends and family, and support local organizations. Douglas County offers many wonderful opportunities. 

Planning ahead gives you more time to train and usually gives you better pricing, so our guide includes local races, runs, and rides for the entire year.

Do you know of a race in Douglas County not listed here? Email kyrieandsam@macaronikid.com.

Eggstravaganza Challenge 5K
Saturday, March 30
Founders Park, Castle Rock

  • Registration: $55
  • Registration includes custom race-themed swag, a finisher medal, and Easter candy at the finish.
  • There will be an Easter Egg hunt for the little ones after the race; registration is appreciated.
  • Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.


Rock Hawk Trail Races
Saturday, April 27
Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock

  • 5K: $45 (Until February 15)
  • 10K: $60 (Until February 15)
  • Half Marathon: $95 (Until February 15)
  • Registration includes a race tee, high-res digital race photos, a post-race breakfast, and a finisher's woodallion (carved wood medal).


Greenland Trail Races
Saturday, May 4
Greenland Open Space, Larkspur

  • 4-Mile: $38
  • 8-Mile: $48
  • 25K: $70
  • 50K: $95
  • Registration includes a shirt, finisher medal, digital photo downloads, and a post-race party with pizza and drinks.

Fangdango
Sunday, May 5
Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock

  • Registration through April 29: $65 for adults | $55 for Juniors 13-18 | $30 for Juniors 9-12
  • Ages 8 and under are FREE!
  • A USA Cycling-sanctioned event. 

HRCA Mother's Day 5K
Saturday, May 11
Cresthill Middle School, Highlands Ranch

  • Adult: $35 (Price increase after March 28)
  • Youth (Ages 2-12): $25
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, custom giveaway, all-you-can-eat pancakes, and post-race beer for ages 21+.
  • Sign up for the 5K Bundle or Crescendo Combo to save.
  • Find the hidden kettlebell and return it to the finish line to win $100.

Memorial Day Run & March
Saturday, May 18
Douglas County High School, Castle Rock

  • 5K Run/Ruck: $40
  • 10K Run/Ruck: $45
  • 30K Ruck March: $60
  • Kids 12 & Under are FREE, and dogs are welcome.
  • Fill your rucksacks or backpacks with 25 pounds of nonperishable food and donate your food at the end of the race to help feed homeless veterans. 
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt and a finisher medal.
  • Proceeds benefit the Special Forces Foundation.


Mountain Ridge Trail Races
Saturday, June 1
Mountain Ridge Middle School, Highlands Ranch

  • 5K: $42 (Price increase on April 1)
  • 10K: $52 (Price increase on April 1)
  • Half Marathon: $77 (Price increase on April 1)
  • 21-Mile: $90 (Price increase on April 1)
  • Stay for the Finish Line Festival.

Sunrise to Sunset MTB Race
Saturday, June 1
Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock

First Friday 5K
June 7, July 5, & August 2
Festival Park, Castle Rock

  • FREE but registration required
  • Stay for live music, food trucks, cocktails, and kids' activities.

Climb 4 Change
Saturday, June 8
Challenge Hill at Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock

  • Registration: $25-$45 (Choose from five different stair-climbing events)
  • Registration includes an event t-shirt and a finisher medal.
  • Proceeds benefit the Town of Castle Rock's Therapeutic Recreation program

HRCA Happy Hour Half K
Friday, June 14
Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch

  • Adult: $30
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, finisher medal, and two post-race drinks for ages 21+.
  • Proceeds benefit the Highlands Ranch Therapeutic Recreation Program & Scholarship Fund.

Cattle Crossing 5K & Family Fun Trek
Saturday, June 15
Tallman Meadow Park, Parker

  • 5K: $40 (Price increase after May 31)
  • Family Fun Trek: $36 for a family of four (Price increase after May 31)
  • Registration includes a souvenir bib and pancakes from Flippin' Flapjacks.
  • Sign up for the 2024 Run Series Bundle by February 9 to save.

Freedom 4-Miler
Saturday, June 29
Charles Schwab Campus, Lone Tree

  • 1-Mile: $30
  • 4-Mile: $40
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, finisher's medal, patriotic costume contest, and post-race fun.
  • Kids 12 and Under are FREE (no shirt, bib, or medal).
  • Proceeds benefit local Veterans and Veteran organizations.


HRCA Independence Day 5K
Thursday, July 4
Town Center South, Highlands Ranch

  • Adult: $35 (Price increase after May 21)
  • Youth (Ages 2-12): $25
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, all-you-can-eat pancakes, and post-race beer for ages 21+.
  • Sign up for the 5K Bundle or Crescendo Combo to save.
  • Find the hidden kettlebell and return it to the finish line to win $100.

July 4th ROCK-IT RUN 5K or Half Marathon
Thursday, July 4
Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock

  • 5K: $38
  • Half: $50
  • FREE 1K Little Rock-It RUN (8 years and under)
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, finisher's medal, drink, brat, live music, and health expo.
  • Sign up for the 2024 ROCK & RUN Series to lock in early bird pricing and receive an exclusive 3-piece magnetic medal.
  • Proceeds benefit organizations that help veterans, first responders, and others break free from PTSD and mental illness.

Kids' TRY-athlon (Ages 6-12)
Saturday, July 13
H2O'Brien Pool, Parker

  • Registration: $35
  • Registration includes a commemorative T-shirt, custom race bib, finish line medal, and post-race refreshments.
  • 6-7 years: 25m swim (1 length) | 0.75-mile bike | .5-mile run
  • 8-10 years: 50m swim (2 lengths) | 1.5-mile bike | .5-mile run
  • 11-12 years: 100m swim (4 lengths) | 1.5-mile bike |1-mile run

Chase the Moon 12-Hour Endurance Run
Friday, July 19-Saturday, July 20
Mountain Vista High School, Highlands Ranch

  • Solo: $145 (Price increase after March 31)
  • 3-person Relay: $275 (Price increase after March 31)
  • 5-person Relay: $405 (Price increase after March 31)

Prairie Dog 5K/10K/Half
Saturday, July 20
Castle View High School, Castle Rock

  • 5K: $35 (Price increase after June 30)
  • 10K: $45 (Price increase after June 30)
  • Half Marathon: $75 (Price increase after June 30)
  • Registration includes a race shirt, finisher's pint glass, free photo downloads, and a goody bag.
  • Charity Partner is Blessings in a Backpack.

Pedal the Moon
Saturday, July 20
Castle View High School or Douglas County High School, Castle Rock

  • Adult Registration: $18
  • Youth Registration (under 12): $14
  • Ride to Festival Park for a hot dog roast and view the night sky through telescopes.
  • All riders must wear a helmet and have a front headlamp and a blinking rear light. 


HopeWalk Colorado
Saturday, August 3
Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock

  • Fundraising minimum: $100 per team
  • Inclusive event on an accessible paved trail with a post-race party.
  • Proceeds benefit HopeKids Colorado.

Splash Mash Dash Kids Triathlon (Ages 4-12)
Saturday, August 3
Eastridge Recreation Center, Highlands Ranch

  • Registration: $40 (Price increase after June 20)
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, finisher medal, and post-race donuts.
  • Ages 4-6: 1 pool length, .5-mile bike ride, .25-mile run
  • Ages 7-9: 2 pool lengths, 1-mile bike ride, .5-mile run
  • Ages 10-12: 3 pool lengths, 1.5-mile bike ride, 1-mile run

Unicorn 5K
Saturday, August 3
Highland Heritage Regional Park, Highlands Ranch

  • 5K Run/Walk: $41 (Price increase after July 13)
  • 3/4(ish)-Mile Saunter: $17 (Price increase after July 13)
  • Registration includes an event shirt, cotton candy, free photo downloads, balloon animals, and face painting.
  • Charity Partner is Blessings in a Backpack.

Bluffs 8K Trail Run
Sunday, August 25
Bluffs Regional Park, Lone Tree

  • More info coming soon!


Labor Day Half Marathon
Monday, September 2
Salisbury Park, Parker

  • 5K: $30 (Price increase on May 1)
  • 10K: $44 (Price increase on May 1)
  • Half Marathon: $70 (Price increase on May 1)
  • Registration includes a shirt, finisher medal, free photo downloads, and a post-race party with food and drinks.

Historic Main Street 5K and Family Color Run
Saturday, September 7
Main Street, Elizabeth

  • Registration TBD
  • Registration includes an event t-shirt, finisher's medal, and free pancake breakfast.

Tri the Rock (Ages 5-18)
Sunday, September 8
Butterfield Crossing Park and Pool, Castle Rock

  • Registration TBD
  • Ages 5-6: 25-meter swim (one pool length) | 1K bike ride | 500-meter run
  • Ages 7-10: 50-meter swim (two pool lengths) | 4K bike ride | 1K run
  • Ages 11-14: 100-meter swim (four pool lengths) | 8K bike ride | 2K run
  • Ages 15-18: 200-meter swim (eight pool lengths) | 16K bike ride | 3-mile run

HRCA Oktoberfest 5K
Saturday, September 14
Town Center South, Highlands Ranch

  • Adult: $35 (Price increase after August 1)
  • Youth (Ages 2-12): $25
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, all-you-can-eat pancakes, and post-race beer for ages 21+.
  • Sign up for the 5K Bundle or Crescendo Combo to save.
  • Find the hidden kettlebell and return it to the finish line to win $100.

Battle by the Brook Adventure Race
Saturday, September 21
Camp Shady Brook, Deckers

  • Family Race: $85
  • Competitive Race (Ages 16+): $99

So Long to Summer 5K/10K
Saturday, September 21
Salisbury Park, Parker

  • 5K: $40 (Price increase after September 6)
  • 10K: $50 (Price increase after September 6)
  • Registration includes a race shirt, custom bib, a delicious post-race pancake breakfast, and a tasty beverage (21+) from Fiction Beer Company.
  • Sign up for the 2024 Run Series Bundle by February 9 to save.
  • A free Kids' Dash follows the race for children 8 and under; no registration necessary. 

HRCA Wildcat Mountain Trail Races
Saturday, September 28
Rocky Heights Middle School (Trailhead), Highlands Ranch

  • 10M: $50 (Price increase after July 15)
  • 10K: $40 (Price increase after July 15)
  • Kids' Race: $10
  • Sign up for the Crescendo Combo to save.


Castle Rock Trail Festival & liveBIG Run
Saturday, October 5
Philip S. Miller Park, Castle Rock

  • liveBIG Family Adventure Run: $20
  • liveBIG 5K: $35
  • Ridgeline 10K: $45
  • Ridgeline Trail Half Marathon: $65
  • Ridgeline 50K: $95

RunAbilities Fun Walk/Run/Roll
Saturday, October 5
Location TBD (Parker)

  • More info coming soon.

Indian Creek Trail Runs
Saturday, October 12
Indian Creek Campground, Sedalia

  • 5-Mile: $50 (Price increase on August 1)
  • 15-Mile: $90 (Price increase on August 1)
  • 55K: $130 (Price increase on August 1)
  • 50-Mile: $150 (Price increase on August 1)
  • Registration includes a race shirt and a finisher's medal.


HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon
Saturday, November 2
Backcountry Wilderness, Highlands Ranch

  • Registration: $60 (Price increase after August 19)
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, finisher medal, pancake breakfast, and post-race beer for ages 21+.
  • Sign up for the Crescendo Combo to save.

Turkey Day 5K Fun Run/Walk
Thursday, November 28
Parker Recreation Center, Parker

  • Registration: $34 (Price increase after November 13)
  • Registration includes a commemorative item, souvenir race bib, and hot cocoa, cider, or coffee. 
  • Sign up for the 2024 Run Series Bundle by February 9 to save.

Turkey ROCK Trot 5K
Thursday, November 28
Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock

  • Adult Registration: $40
  • Youth Registration (17 and under): $25
  • Registration includes a race t-shirt, finisher's medal, free food and drink, and health expo.
  • Sign up for the 2024 ROCK & RUN Series to lock in early bird pricing and receive an exclusive 3-piece magnetic medal.
  • Proceeds benefit the Help & Hope Center.

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