Autumn Run Half Marathon
Shuttle-only start at 9,550 feet west of Buena Vista, then roughly 2,500 feet of descent on mostly dirt roads into the upper Arkansas River valley.
Quick facts
- Buses from McPhelemy Park are the only way to reach the start line.
- Roughly 2,500 feet of net descent, with mostly unpaved footing.
- Half field has been running near 115 finishers, small and uncrowded.
- High-altitude start near 9,550 feet, which changes early pacing for sea-level runners.
About the Autumn Run Half Marathon
This is the rare high-country half where the altitude and the descent both matter. One Love Endurance caps the weekend near 500 runners across all distances and buses half marathoners up to Cottonwood Lake, west of town, because the start road is too narrow for private cars.
Course
Point to point and almost entirely downhill. The surface is mostly dirt road with about four paved miles near the finish, and the drop is steep enough that quad damage, not aerobic effort, tends to decide the last few miles. The start sits near 9,550 feet, so the opening mile feels harder than the pace suggests.
Race-day weather
September mornings at that elevation start near freezing and the sun is intense once it comes over the Collegiate Peaks. Air is dry, and runners often finish in far warmer conditions than they started in.
Past Autumn Run Half Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Upcoming | — |
Autumn Run Half Marathon FAQ
When is the Autumn Run Half Marathon?
The 2026 Autumn Run Half Marathon is on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Featured collections
Found an official update?Send race details or links
Send us confirmed dates, registration links, results, live tracking, or course changes. Include the source link so runners can reach the right information.