Second Annual Denver Marathon to Tour City and Neighborhoods

Two major marathons are now taking place in Denver each year, with inaugural races for both in 2006. One is the Colfax Marathon, which is run along what is reputed to be the longest commercial street in America during the month of May, and the other is the Denver Marathon, which is run on a course which passes many Denver landmarks, taking place during the cooler month of October. This year, the Denver Marathon will take place on October 14, and while registration is filling quickly, spectators will enjoy watching this endurance race which is a qualifying run for the Boston Marathon from many scenic vantage points along the course.

The course of the Denver Marathon is urban, beginning and ending by the State House. The organizers' website notes that there is "little to no elevation change" during the run - no "Heartbreak Hill!" Other landmarks along the way include the Pepsi Center and Union Station, Cheesman and Washington Parks, Larimer Square and LoDo, and many nearby Denver neighborhoods, finally passing down Denver's Art District on Santa Fe on the way to the finish. The course was designed to bring the community together during the race, as runners pass through and bring the excitement of race day.

The course is split into a marathon and a half-marathon by the organizing team who claim "close to 100 years of combined event management experience." The street closures are timed on a rolling basis for a six-hour time limit for the full marathon, and those who are not on schedule to finish during that time will be able to finish a half-marathon and still get an official time.

Major sponsors have been drawn to this event, including ING as a partner sponsor, and McDonald's, New Balance, and Saturn, local media outlets, healthy food companies, accommodations, and of course the local Coors Beer company.

There will be a free health and fitness expo during the weekend of the event, open on Friday and Saturday at the Adam's Mark hotel and Sunday at Civic Center park.