Colfax Marathon course map and elevation.

How I’d run it, stretch by stretch

Mile 1: City Park and the Esplanade

Over these 1.4 miles the course climbs 65 feet and drops 17, 49 feet net up. The climb: Through City Park from mile 0.5 (+64 feet over 0.9 mi, 1.3%).

One gun at 6:00, beside Ferril Lake, and the first mile winds out of City Park and down the Esplanade, rising gently about 60 feet. You’re above 5,200 feet from the first step, so if you don’t live at altitude, set your goal a little slower and start slower still.

Miles 2 and 3: Colfax past the Capitol to Fire Station 1

Over these 2.1 miles the course climbs 6 feet and drops 112, 106 feet net down.

West on Colfax past the State Capitol and Civic Center Park, about 100 feet downhill, steepest past the Capitol. Then the course runs right through Denver Fire Station 1, with the firefighters cheering. Let the downhill come to you. It’s easy to bank time here and pay for it at mile 13.

Miles 4 and 5: Cherry Creek, Confluence Park and the South Platte

Over these 2.2 miles the course climbs 34 feet and drops 50, 17 feet net down.

Down onto the Cherry Creek Trail in the channel below Speer Boulevard, through Confluence Park and along the South Platte past Elitch Gardens. It’s flat, on the lowest ground of the course, but the trail is narrow and shared with the relay, so it gets crowded. Be patient and don’t waste energy weaving.

Miles 6 and 7: Empower Field and the climb up Colfax

Over these 1.9 miles the course climbs 141 feet and drops 9, 130 feet net up. The two climbs: Out of the stadium from mile 5.9 (+59 feet over 0.6 mi, 1.9%); Up West Colfax from mile 6.6 (+82 feet over 1.1 mi, 1.4%).

Over the footbridge and around the warning track at Empower Field at Mile High, and then the climbing starts: about 60 feet out of the stadium and another 80 up West Colfax, steepest just past the Federal Boulevard underpass. Shorten your stride and run it by effort. There’s a gel station at mile 6.

Miles 8 and 9: around Sloan’s Lake

Over these 1.9 miles the course climbs 8 feet and drops 20, 12 feet net down.

A flat lap of Sloan’s Lake on the lake path, with the Dragon Boat Festival’s drummers and one of the best spectator spots on the course. Settle back into goal pace and take stock, because the next six miles are all uphill, just gradually.

Miles 10 to 15: the long climb to The Glens

Over these 6.3 miles the course climbs 270 feet and drops 80, 191 feet net up. The two climbs: West Colfax into Lakewood from mile 9.7 (+105 feet over 3.0 mi, 0.7%); West 20th Avenue from mile 13.6 (+114 feet over 1.3 mi, 1.6%).

This is where the race is decided: about 220 feet of climbing over five miles, west on Colfax into Lakewood, around the RMCAD campus and up West 20th Avenue, the longest pull, to the high point in The Glens near mile 15.4, about 5,540 feet. None of it is steep. Hold your effort steady and let the pace slip a few seconds a mile. Whatever you save here, you get back on the way down.

Miles 16 to 20: the Screaming Downhill and the stadium again

Over these 5 miles the course climbs 8 feet and drops 322, 314 feet net down.

Four straight miles east on Colfax, about 270 feet down, with the downtown skyline ahead. It’s the fastest stretch of the course and the easiest to overdo. Run it controlled, a few seconds under goal pace at most, because the quads you spend here are the ones you’ll want on 17th Avenue. Then it’s back through the stadium at mile 20, with another gel station.

Miles 21 to the finish: the rivers, downtown and up 17th Avenue

Over these 5.3 miles the course climbs 151 feet and drops 69, 81 feet net up. The climb: Up to 17th Avenue from mile 21.9 (+121 feet over 2.9 mi, 0.8%).

Back along the Platte and Cherry Creek at river level, then up into downtown on Lawrence and 17th Streets, and the last real climb: about 120 feet from Cherry Creek to City Park, with the steepest block on 17th Avenue between Broadway and Sherman, about 6%, near mile 23.7. The crowds line 17th Avenue. Run up it by effort, then let the last mile carry you home.