Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk

This family-friendly 5K Run/Walk is open to the community and all fitness levels are welcome. You can run for time, run for fun, or walk with friends.  (Please read Course Information & Restrictions for important event day details to help you plan, including parking tips)

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

9:00 am -- Final packet pick-up and in-person registration opens. Food trucks open. Race expo opens.

9:50 am -- Packet Pickup and Registration closes; participants join Izzi The Dragon at the start line!

10:00 am -- Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk BEGINS (Groups released in waves every 2 minutes)

11:30 am -- 5K course closes

12:00 pm -- Event area closes 

The Dragon Dash will be professionally chip-timed and on an official 5K course which is flat and mostly paved. The Dragon Dash is hosted by, and proceeds benefit, Isabella Bird Community School - a DPS elementary school serving 500+ students in ECE through 5th grade. 

*PLEASE NOTE: event staff will not be responsible for children who participate in the race unattended. We ask that, if you are registering any child age 10 or under that at least one adult 18+ is also officially registered and has plans to accompany the child throughout the race and while in the expo area.

This is a flat and fast 1.5 clockwise loops on asphalt around and within Central Park!  CLICK HERE for an interactive 5K map on MapMyRun.  Participants can run or walk. Anyone age 5 or older must be a registered participant and have a Race Bib on in order to be on the 5K course during the run / walk. All youth participants age 10 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult participant.

Bibs:  You must wear your race bib on the FRONT of your most outer top layer, secured at each corner with a safety pin.  The chip is in the bib.  There will be nothing to take off/tear off and give to race staff at the finish.

Start, Finish & Event Area: Central Park, Denver - 8801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Denver, CO US 80238

The "No" List:  No dogs or other pets on the course or in the festival area between 9:00am - 12:00pm. Outside of these times, please follow the standard rules for pets in Central Park. No bikes, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards or anything motorized are allowed on the course during the 5K. Adult participants can push/pull young children in strollers or wagons.

Parking: There is public and free parking near the start/finish and in other lots around the park, as well as in the immediate neighborhood across Martin Luther King Blvd.  Please be considerate of residents if parking in the neighborhood, and when possible, walk or bike to/from the event.  Use caution crossing MLK as it is a heavily trafficked road. 

NOTE: There will be no car traffic allowed in or out of the parking lot adjacent to the event area from 10:00am - 11:00am. If you need to move your vehicle in or out during that time, please park elsewhere. 

Course Support: There will be water provided at the start/finish area, but no water stations on the course. Food trucks will also have water available for purchase. Light post-race snacks will be provided at the race finish. There will be basic First Aid available at the info booth.

Toilets: Portable toilets will be located in the parking lot near the festival area. The adjacent public toilets are closed. The 5K route takes participants along the park perimeter near the parking lot / festival area two times.  

Course Surface: The Central Park 5k is 98% concrete. There are small sections which are hard-packed dirt.

Volunteers are a key component of any successful event!  If you are interested in volunteering, please CLICK HERE to complete our form. 

Our Volunteer Coordinator will follow up with you to confirm details.  Each event volunteer can receive one (1) complimentary race registration, if signed up to volunteer by Friday, November 6.

Late Registration:  Race fees increase by $10 on Saturday, November 7, for online and in-person registrations.

Packet pick up and in-person registration is available at the following times & locations:

• Thursday, November 7:  2:30 - 6:00pm at Isabella Bird Community School  
• Sunday, November 2 (Race Day):  9:00 - 9:45am at Central Park (8801 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Denver CO 80238)

Want to pick up a friend's race packet?  Yes!  You can pick up a friend or family member's packet (or have someone else pick up your packet). Just bring a print or digital copy of their registration confirmation. 

9:00 am -- Late Packet Pickup and In-person Registration opens. Coffee & breakfast food trucks open. Race expo opens.

9:45 am -- Packet Pickup and Registration closes; walking warm up lap.

9:55 am -- Participants join Izzi The Dragon at the start line.

10:00 am -- Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk BEGINS; participants will be released in waves, 1 minute apart

11:30 am -- 5K course closes

12:00 pm -- Event area closes 

**Reminder: Daylight Savings Time in CO ends on Sunday, Nov 2 / Race Day.