The Denver 5k

THE Denver 5k! Denver's Iconic Sloan Lake is the setting for the return of 'THE Denver 5k'. Celebrate with friends and family as you race around the lake in the shadow of Denver's skyline. Group pricing applies; youth and senior pricing are offered as well! Held at the start of September, THE Denver 5k is the perfect 'cool down' to the racing season! 

 Overall awards will be awarded based on gun time. All other awards (including age group awards) and rankings will (based on CHIP times. 

2026 APPU

When: September 10

Where :Road Runner Sports Belmar- 400 S Teller St Lakewood CO 80226

There is a free parking garage around the corner on S Saulsbury Street.  It is short walk to Road Runner from the garage

Come to APPU and pick up your packet before the race.  Get a chance to sleep in on race day.  Enjoy in store shopping discounts at APPU.

Yes - you may pick up for a friend or have someone pick up for you. 
Make sure to have a copy of your QR code from your email!

Join us at Joyride Brewing for a BOGO beer with your bib. They are opening at 10am just for us on Saturday!  Make sure to head over there when you are done racing and enjoy this local brewery.  2501 Sheridan Blvd, Edgewater CO

PRE-EVENT CONTACT
We would love to work with you to feature your product or business with our racers.  There are many ways to be involved and gain exposure, from hosting a packet pick up location or after party, sponsoring a water station, adding a goody or coupon to the goody bag, providing an in-kind donation/sample for the racers on the course or at the finish line, or setting up a booth on race-day at the expo. 

We can feature your business on the event web page, racer emails or social media!  All sponsorship payments must be received before your business is included in any kind of mention or posting.

Please contact our marketing team before the race with any questions:

Marketing Contacts:
AJ Benefield
Email: AJ@3WRaces.com
TENT/TABLE

TENT/TABLE:  You will be given approximately 12'x12' of space.  Tents and tables are NOT included, however, some of you have already arranged for table/tent rental from 3W Races.  In that case, your tent and or table will be set for you at your designated space.

Generally, tent rental is $75 and tables are $10 each to rent for the event.  3W will bring the tent/table, set it up at your designated location and tear it down at the end of the event.  If you are interested in this arrangement, please coordinate with us at least one week in advance.

RACER DATA
Historically:
400-900 registrants participate in this event, depending on global pandemic status.  :)
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Male: 40%
Female: 60%

Colorado Residents: 83%
Denver City Resident: 29%

Under 18: 10%
Ages 18-29: 16%
Ages 30-39: 28%
Ages 40-49: 19%
Ages 50-64: 22%
Ages 65+: 5%
 
 
 
RACE DAY LOGISTICS
TIME: 7:30-8:00 AM Vendor Set Up, Expo opens at 8am, Race starts at 9am, 10:30 AM is Tear Down. The finish line officially closes when the last runner crosses.  Click Here for Racer Schedule. 

SURFACE: All Sponsors will be set up in the grass; please plan accordingly for getting your materials to your expo spot. TENT STAKES ARE NOT ALLOWED per city requirements! Please plan on bringing tent WEIGHTS to hold down your tent! 

EXPO MAP - Please see event staff at the 3W Races registration tent to get your exact location. 

COURSE: Course is a loop around Sloan's Lake

RACE DAY RAFFLE: As a perk to our runner and charity partner, those racers that bring 5 donation items or more get entered into a race day raffle for awesome prizes. If you have something you would like to donate for the raffle, let us know! You can bring it on race day or hand it off in advance! 
RACE DAY CONTACT
Please check in at the 3W Races tent on race day regarding the specific location of your booth space!

Race Director Direct Number: 303-667-5685
AJ Benefield:
Email: AJ@3WRaces.com

 SPECIAL REQUESTS

We ask that you please respect the property of our runners and kindly ask that you do NOT paper events. This includes placing advertisements on cars.

All paper advertisements need to be placed at the 3W tent and/or at your personal booth space and directly handed to runners. 

LOCATION - updated in 2024; please take note!

Utica & @ 17th Ave on the SOUTH Side of Sloan Lake.

5k COURSE MAP - CLICK HERE

This course is FLAT AND FAST - check out the elevation!  Run from the south side of Sloan Lake park in a COUNTER CLOCKWISE loop around the lake.

WATER:

The finish/expo is cup free. We will have water to fill up your water bottles.

RESTROOMS:

There are restrooms on site in the park as well as port-a-johns in the parking lot. You'll pass park restrooms/portojohns once on the course as well near the 2 mile mark.

DOGS/STROLLERS:

Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at the back of the starting line.  Please be a good neighbor and be prepared to clean up after your pet!
Strollers are also allowed. We ask that those with strollers start near the back of their wave and to the side of the sidewalk.

SURFACE:

100% of this course is on concrete.

FREE GPS TRACKING:

Friends near and far can send FREE cheers and track your progress when you use the RaceJoy App - INCLUDED with your registration!

ELITE WAVE FAQS
To ease congestion on the course for competitive runners, we offer and ELITE wave. Here are some FAQs on the elite wave.
1. Is there a cost difference?
Nope!

2. If I run faster than a 26 minute 5k, may I still run with my friends in the open wave at 9:30 am?
Yes! Absolutely, but make sure your registration says: "5k (Run/Walk)" or  "OPEN wave"

3. If I'm registered for the open wave, can I just start with the elite wave?
No, your registration must reflect the ELITE WAVE. It will say: “5k (Elite Wave - 26:00 and faster 5k runners)." The timing software will ignore your time/chip until 9:00 am IF you are not registered for the Elite Wave.

4. Since there are two waves, how are awards calculated?
Overall winners are based the 8:30 am Elite Wave GUN TIME. Age group awards and 5280 prizes will be based on chip time and consider all athletes from both waves combined.

How to transfer:
There are TWO WAYS to transfer:
1. Log into your Run Sign Up account. Click MY PROFILE -> Scroll down to see your registered races. Click MANAGE REGISTRATION under the Denver 5k. Then click TRANSFER EVENT and follow the prompts, selecting the ELITE WAVE.

2. Visit the registration tent on race morning and let the 3W Staff know.
 

Most FAQs are answered on our parent website. Click here: 3W Races - FAQ

If you have more questions not answered there, email us: info@3wraces.com

Water - There will be maybe a water station on the course for this race.  This will be communicated pre-race.  Water will be provided in the expo area. Please keep in mind that all 3W Events maintain a cup-free finish area so cups will not be provided.  Bring your own water bottle. You can leave your water bottle at the expo/finish area if you desire!

Dogs and Strollers - are welcome on this course.  Please make sure to have complete control of your dog or your stroller at all times.  Dogs must be kept on a short leash and you MUST stop to clean up after your dog - even in the middle of your race.

Face Painting, balloon animals and the KIDS FUN RUN IS FREE (Children 7 & under) 

Refer 5 or more participants and get a refund of up to $20.00!  Your personal referral link must be used at the time of registration - online registration only.  This offer does not apply to free entries.  :)

ONLINE 5K REGISTRATION PRICING:
October-November: $30
December-February: $35
March-June: $40
July - August: $45
September 1 - Day before race @ 4PM: $50
Race Day (Walk Up): $55
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KIDS FUN RUN IS FREE (Children 7 & under) 

AGE-BASED DISCOUNTS!  Bring the whole family! Discounts are honored ONLINE only in advance of race day.
12 and Under: $10 off
13-18: $5 off
55+: $10 off

GROUP DISCOUNTS!
Join a TEAM during registration and when your group reaches 5 or more members, everyone gets $5 off!  (See FAQ for details.)  Discounts are honored ONLINE only in advance of race day and cannot be given retroactively. 

8:00-9:00 AM Race Day Registration/ Late Packet Pick-Up and Expo Opens
8:50 AM Kids Fun Run (Free for children 7 & Under)
9:00 AM 5k  Start

9:35 AM 5280 Awards (52nd overall and 80th overall get a special prize)
​9:45 AM 5k Awards

LIVE BAND: Ugly Rumor is a high-energy Classic Rock and Roll Cover Band  of experienced musicians  who deliver good old American rock & roll that cooks.

Top 3 Men and Women overall will be recognized as well as Top 3 Age Groupers.

*Age groups: M/F 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

*All awards will given to winners based on ALL combined waves.
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This event is chip timed.  Your chip is adhered to the back of your race bib.  Please wear your race bib on the front, outside of your clothing to ensure it registers with the timing antenna in the mats at the start/finish line.

Results are posted in real time during the event.  Sign up for FREE text notifications of your results during the registration process.  See FAQs for more information.

Always a favorite, Belong Designs once again is producing the Denver 5k race shirt!  Belong Designs is a Denver company that uses our amazing part of the country as inspiration for their creative designs.  Cut and sewn just for our Denver 5k racers, we're always proud to feature Belong's work at this event!

2025 Race Shirts!

All participants in the physical race receive a Denver 5k pint glass!  (Pint glasses cannot be shipped.)

Back again!  Live music by The Topiaries!