Unicorn 5k (Denver-East)

Ready to gallop around Denver with some friends?  Yeah, you are!  Come frolic with us at the Unicorn Runner 5k at Great Lawn Park to kick off your spring running season!  You'll earn a sweet tee shirt and a flashy unicorn finisher medal!

It's a 5k distance for all, and whether you walk, trot, canter or gallop, we'll be happy to see you!  This event also features a shorter saunter for those not quite ready to enjoy a full 5k!  The untimed 1/2 mile run is long enough to get your heart rate up and be a 'real run' without being a sprint!

Costumes are encouraged and we're holding a COSTUME CONTEST for DIY costume clad participants!

Remember to refer your friends and you can earn back up to $20 back from your registration fee (valid only on the 5k distance).  Also - teams of 5 or more each get $5 off their registration.  So form a group and get your buddies to join you today!

All the info you need about this event is found on this site - click the menu bar or scroll to the bottom to see a listing of all page links!

If you're looking for the Blessing of Unicorn running early in the summer on the north side of town, CLICK HERE for the Thornton event.  Looking to run at the end of summer on the south side of town, CLICK HERE for the Highlands Ranch event! 

The Balloon Guy will be back this year- creating balloon creations for all!

Stay warm. Avoid race-day lines. Get your packet in advance.

Date:  TBD
Time: 4-7pm
Location: TBD
Address: TBD

Picking up for a friend?
Yes! You can pick up a friend or family member's packet (or have someone else pick up your packet)! Just tell us their name and we'll get you on your way! 

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 Rental:  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.

A tent rental is $95 and tables are $20 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.

Contact:

AJ Benefield

aj@3wraces.com 

Racer Data: 3W Races Average Demographics:
69% Female
31% Males

3% Under 18
11% 18-29
21% 30-39
42% 40-49
18% 50-64
​5% Over 65

Race Day Logistics

TIME: 7AM-7:30AM Vendor Set Up, 8am- Rae Day Registration Starts, 1/2 mile saunter starts at 9AM, 5k starts at 9:30am ,10:45AM is Tear Down. The finish line officially closes when the last runner crosses.

SURFACE: The Expo is set up on concrete.  Please make sure to bring tent weights as it can be windy at the expo.

BOOTH LOCATION:  Please check in the Race Director upon arrival and you will be assigned a location for set up.

PARKING: There is parking near the expo. If you have more than one staff member, please carpool! 

RACE DAY RAFFLE: As a perk to our runners 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

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

This is a 5k course (3.1 Miles)

Runners of all abilities will enjoy the 56 total feet of elevation gain throughout the course.  It is on concrete and some sections of crushed gravel. It is appropriate for strollers.  Leashed dogs are welcome and MUST remain under control.  The course is a large lollipop shape.  

The course is marked with directional signs and mile markers which are 12"X18" realtor style signs along the right hand side of the path.  Please follow the signs when turning, going straight, etc. at each intersection of path.  Additionally, orange cones are placed in the center of the path that should NOT be taken.  If you encounter an orange cone in a pathway, it means "don't run here."

Please follow race etiquette and STAY TO THE RIGHT when you are on the course.  Walkers should walk together no more than two abreast at a time in order for others to pass.

Elite runners who are 'in it to win it' should start at the front of the group when lining up.  Those who are walking, jogging, running with a dog on a leash or pushing a stroller should start near the back of the pack at the start line, please.

This is a 'chip timed' race, so YOUR start time doesn't start until YOU cross the start line (antennae mat on the ground!)

There are not water stations on this course, so each runner is encouraged to bring their own hydration on course if needed.  Toilets may be found at the expo area.

The SAUNTER distance is approximately half a mile and runs counter-clockwise around the Great Lawn Circle.

Great Lawn Park
101 Yosemite St
Denver, CO US 80230 

Ample parking is available along Willow Circle and in the Machebeuf High School parking lot (just west of the park).  If these lots are full, you can also check the public lots at the Denver Sports Park (south of the park and Big Bear Ice Arena).

Please do not park in Vitalant or Denver Film school lots as we have not reached out to them for permission.

May:  Mile Events $15  /  5k: $25
June - August: Mile Events $20  /  5k: $30
September - March: Mile Events $25  /  5k: $35
April - Sat before race @4PM: Mile Events $30  /  5k: $40
Race Day Prices: Mile Events $35  /  5k: $50

Registration fees are non-refundable.

GROUPS: 
Join a TEAM during registration and when your group reaches 5 or more members, everyone gets $5 off! (See FAQs for details.)  Discounts honored ONLINE only in advance of race day.

Want to win some cool stuff including 3W Races vouchers, gift cards, and gear from our sponsors?  Bring 5 or more items to donate to Bethany Foster Services on race day and you'll be entered into the exclusive race day raffle!! Drop off items before you run at the charity table near the 3W Race's tent in the expo. After you race, view the RAFFLE board at the registration tent to see if your bib number was pulled for a prize!

Suggested donation items - the BIG NEED right now!

Bethany Foster Care's Current Needs:
- Diapers/Pull-Ups (all sizes)
- Wipes
- Gift cards to Door Dash and restaurants or Target, Walmart, etc., for the families

8:00 AM - Late Packet Pick Up & Walk up Registration

9:00 AM - 1/2 mile Saunter Start

9:30 AM - Unicorn 5K Start 

10:15 AM - 5K Awards

10:45AM - Finish Line Closes

Some sizes may sell out in the final days leading up to the event.  It is always an option to select 'no shirt' for a discounted entry fee.  Please check at the 3W Races tent on race day for any additional shirts that may be available for sale or size exchange.

Adult Tees are performance blend of cotton and poly and are offered in gender specific cuts.

Per USATF Standards, 10 year age groups will be recognized:

Age groups 5k: M/F 0-9, 10-14, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

The top 3 Men and Women in 5k will be recognized as well as the top three m/f in each of the above listed age groups. 

The event is CHIP TIMED.  OVERALL Winners (top three m/f) are scored based on GUN TIME.  All others (age groups) are scored based on chip time.

Your chip time starts when your timing chip crosses the start line.  Your timing chip is adhered to the back of your race bib (race number.)  You will receive this number from the registration volunteers when you pick up your shirt/race packet.  Please wear the bib that is assigned to YOU and not to someone else in your family.  Please wear the bib on the FRONT, OUTSIDE of your clothing just above your hips.  If you wear a bib assigned to someone else or do not wear the bib HORIZONTALLY on the front, outside of your clothing, your result may not register and you will be ineligible for awards.

RESULTS will be sent to you electronically upon finishing (if you opt in for that option during registration) and will be available to view here LIVE during the event and after the race.  Please email us if you find an error, in the case that you wore someone else's bib or your age/gender information, name spelling, etc is incorrect.  info@3wraces.com

2026 Unicorn 5k* Finisher Medals - collect one at each event!

*Saunter does NOT receive a medal.

"The challenges people face today call us to go further than ever. Our mission is to stand up for vulnerable children, refugees, and families around the world, because family holds an incredible power to connect us, lift us up, and transform lives." -Chris Palusky, President

Bethany believes every child deserves to be loved, connected, and safe. For more than 75 years, our faith has inspired us to stand for children close to home and around the world. Together, we can change the world through family.

Bring your IN-KIND donations for Bethany Foster Services and you'll be entered into the Race Day Raffle!

Current Wish List from Bethany:

• Pull-Ups for boys (size 2T-3T or 3T-4T)
• School supplies (crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks),
• Gift cards to Target for foster families

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