Rio Grande Half Marathon
New Mexico's USATF half marathon championship runs flat and early from Balloon Fiesta Park, past bosque cottonwoods with the Sandias on the skyline.
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Quick facts
- USATF New Mexico half marathon championship race.
- Flat Rio Grande corridor course at roughly 5,000 feet of altitude.
- Pre-dawn start, with aid stations about every 1.5 miles.
- Half marathon and a 5K share the Balloon Fiesta Park start area.
About the Rio Grande Half Marathon
This is the race New Mexico runners use to open the fall season. It carries USATF state championship status for the half, which pulls in a faster local front group than the summer date would suggest, and it doubles as an early tune-up for autumn marathons.
Course
The route leaves Balloon Fiesta Park and works along the Rio Grande corridor, staying flat enough that pacing comes down to altitude and heat rather than terrain. Aid comes roughly every 1.5 miles, which matters at about 5,000 feet.
Race-day weather
An early August start before dawn keeps the worst of the desert heat away, but monsoon-season humidity can linger and the sun climbs fast. Thin air at altitude is the bigger factor for visiting runners.
Past Rio Grande Half Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, August 9, 2026 | Results available | Open results |
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Rio Grande Half Marathon FAQ
When is the Rio Grande Half Marathon?
We're waiting for the finalized date for the 2027 Rio Grande Half Marathon. The most recent running was on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
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