Unicorn 5k (North)

Ready to get off the sofa and gallop around Thornton with some friends?  Yeah, you are!  Come frolic with us at the Unicorn Runner 5k in Thornton to kick off your summer!  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 3/4 mile run is long enough to get your heart rate up and be a 'real run' without being a sprint!

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

Remember to refer your friends and you can earn back up to $20 back from your registration fee.  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!

Denver Unicorn 5k - April
Highlands Ranch Unicorn 5k - August

Date: June 18

Time: 4-7pm

Location: Road Runner Sports-10442 Town Center Dr, Ste 300, Westminster, CO 80021

 

APPU FAQs:

Yes, you can pick up for a friend or send someone to pick up for you!
Yes, we will accept walk up registrations during advanced packet pick up.
Yes, you can pick up your packet during advanced packet pick up even if you just signed up!

Celebrate your race at the after party at Buffalo Wild Wings-10090 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229.  Bring in your bib and get 6 free wings!

 

 

 

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 sponsorship team before the race with any questions:

Contact:
AJ Benefield 

AJ@3WRaces.com

Goody Bag Stuffer

If you have arranged to place something into the Goody Bag, please make sure your 'stuffer' reaches us by the deadline so our volunteers and staff can get it into each racer's goody bag!  Items received after the deadline will not be in the goody bag.

Stuffer Deadline:  FRIDAY before race week: June 13, 2025 by 4:00 PM

Stuffer Quantity: 250 (Subject to change closer to race date.)

Stuffer Address: MAIL : 4200 W 17th Ave #240 Denver CO 80204

Drop Off: 3W Races, 7960 Hollywood Street, Commerce City, CO 80022. If you would rather drop off in person than mail/ship your items, please email us in advance to make arrangements.

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.
 

Racer Data: Historically, this event will see between 300 and 400 registrants.

Race Day Logistics

ADDRESS: Carpenter Park
Thornton, CO US 80233
(Enter on the SOUTHSIDE of the park, off of 108th and Colorado Blvd)

TIME: 6:30-7:00AM Vendor Set Up, Race starts at 8:00AM, 9:45AM is Tear Down. The finish line officially closes when the last runner crosses. CLICK HERE for race day schedule.

SURFACE: Asphalt. Tent WEIGHTS are recommended.  Stakes are NOT allowed in Carpenter Park.

BOOTH LOCATION:  Please check in with 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 
AJ Benefield

303-667-5685
aj@3WRaces.com

What kind of Unicorn is lurking inside you?

 

 

5k COURSE:

Lollipop course with a shared start and finish area at the west end of the Carpenter Park Fields Parking area.

Course Surface: Mostly concrete with small section of dirt/crushed gravel. We will run in any and all conditions - rain/snow/shine.  Trails will be in "as is" condition. Plan your footwear accordingly.

Aid Stations: There will be no aid stations on course.  There are two opportunities for restrooms on the course at the park fixed location bathrooms.

Course Cut Off: There is no cut off time for this event

CLICK HERE for an interactive map.

1/2 Mile SAUNTER:

This short run starts near the main finish line and finishes just like the 5k event through the main archway!  CLICK HERE for an interactive map.

COVID INFORMATION: We are following the current Adams County and State of Colorado guidelines.
When signing up for this event, you agreeing to a set of COVID guidelines and social contract. Those guidelines will include:
1. You agree to wear a mask/face covering when in the expo area, start corral and after you cross the finish line. Face covering will not be required while you are running.
2. You agree to social distance of at least 6 ft while at the event including in the start area, finish area, and expo.
3. You must be "healthy" to attend. Please stay home if you are exhibiting any covid-like or other illness type symptoms including, but not limited to: fever, cough, sneezing, sore/scratchy throat, etc.
4. You will not arrive at the expo/start area more than 30 minutes before your scheduled start time/wave. When you arrive, you are instructed to go to the starting area and your starting corral section (marked by signs and volunteers). After you finished, you are instructed to leave as soon after as possible and not cross through the starting area.
5. You will agree to bring any race hydration/nutrition needed before or during your race. There will NOT be a water station on the 5k course. There will be water and some light snacks at the finish line. 

In addition, all runners will be sent out in small waves (depending on current COVID Dial status) to allow for social distancing (waves assigned at registration). While in the expo area, talking to vendors, and getting finisher food, face coverings will be mandatory. You will  see all of our staff wearing masks at all times and volunteers wearing gloves while handing out finisher food/water. As the regulations change due to this ever-changing pandemic, we will keep registered racers informed with the most recent guidelines.

What else have we done due to COVID-19? Events are capped so that no more than 175 people will be participating in either distance. (Adjusted based on the current COVID dial status.)

All staff has been working 100% remotely and is reporting their health status leading up to the event.
Any staff or volunteers who are experiencing symptoms or who simply do not feel comfortable working this event will stay home.
Any paid participant who cannot run on race day due to symptoms should email the race director so we can make your participation 'virtual.'

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 NO water stations on the course for this 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.

The race is located at the Carpenter Park Fields.  This is DIFFERENT than Carpenter Park Rec Center.  Do NOT put Carpenter Park into your navigation system, or you'll end up at the north side of the campus, removed from the expo/start/finish area.  Google Map to Carpenter Park FIELDS.

Although parking is plentiful at this venue, we recommend always carpooling or using your bicycle as much as possible!

Please enter on the south side of the venue, south of the Carpenter Park Fields.  The closest intersection is on the southeast side of the park at 108th Ave and Colorado Boulevard.

July $25

August - October $28

November - February $33

March - April $35

May $40

June 1 to 4 PM night before race $45

Race Day $55

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 Food for Hope 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!

Food For Hope's Current Need:

Ramen

5 lb Bags of Flour

Juice Boxes

Kid Friendly Microwave Meals (i.e.Cup of Noodles, easy Mac)

High Protein Snacks/Bars

7:00: Packet Pick Up and Walk Up Registration - EXPO OPENS!

8:00: 5k Run Start

8-9:30am:  Balloon Art, Face Painting, Cotton Candy Available

8:40 1/2 Mile Saunter Start

8:45: 5k Awards ( Right after the Saunter kicks off)

 

 

9:45 Finish Line Closes

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Sneakers4Funds to provide you with a socially responsible way to donate your gently worn, used or new sneakers and running shoes to a good cause we support! The sneakers will help benefit Growing Home as well as give a hand up, not a handout, to micro-enterprises in 25 developing countries. The athletic shoes will be kept out of landfills where they can take decades to fully decompose. Visit Sneakers4Funds to learn more!

It's super simple! All you need to do is bring your lightly worn athletic shoes and sneakers to the race (either race day or at packet pick up). We collect them and mail them and a donation is made to Growing Home! 

Please donate only gently worn, used, and new athletic shoes.  These sneakers, trainers, and other athletic shoes will be worn again by people in developing nations, so please make sure there are no holes or soles falling off and that they are in wearable condition.  Dress shoes, sandals, brown shoes, flip flops, cleats, etc. and other shoes that are NOT athletic shoes will NOT be accepted. 

Please tie your shoes together or put a rubber band around the pair! 

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.

Women's Race Back Tank Tops are 60% cotton, 40% polyester

Youth Tees are 100% cotton

Adult Tees are 100% cotton

A finisher medal for every 5k runner!

 

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

Age groups 5k: M/F 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

The top 3 Men and Women 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  RESULTS will be posted LIVE during the event on the RESULTS PAGE.

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

*Saunter does NOT receive a medal.

We are very exited to partner with Food For Hope for the Unicorn 5k.  Food for Hope delivers food to local children in Adams County.  Bring your in-kind food donations on race day for a chance to win a raffle prize! Your generous donations go directly to LOCAL Adams County children.  Food for Hope programs include:

During the 2023-24 School year, Food for Hope supported over 3,700 on a monthly basis in all food programming in Adams County Schools. Our weekend bag program distributed over 21,000 bags, over 113,000 snacks with the School Fuel Program while also running In-School Food Pantry Programs. 

As of the 2025-2026 School Year, Food for Hope is now operating nine in-school/district site food banks at:
Adams 14 - Hope Center
27J - Brighton Learning and Resource Center
Pinnacle Charter School
Shadow Ridge Middle School
McElwain Elementary School
STEM Launch
Northglenn High School

Mapleton Schools

Coronado Elementary 

These locations provide fresh and shelf-stable groceries for students and their families who attend school in these communities and need nutritional support.

Learn more about what items to bring for donation and how to be entered into the race day raffle HERE!

We are proud to partner with Sneakers4Funds! When you donate your gently used or new athletic shoes, a donation is made to our ongoing charity partner, Growing Home! 

Bring your shoes to Advanced Packet Pick Up or on Race day! Click here for more info! 

1/2 (ish) Mile Saunter - untimed: Unicorn Shirt

5k Run/Walk: Unicorn Shirt