Santa Fe, New Mexico · 7,000 ft

Run the
High Desert

High desert air, drums on the route, and a finish at Railyard Park. Four ways to run the City Different over race weekend, September 19–20, 2026.

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Register now See the races
A runner greeting our traditional drummers along the high-desert course
Welcome, runners. I've stood at a lot of start lines in this town, but hearing the echo of our sacred African Kudu Horn at the Eldorado start line still gives me absolute goosebumps every single September. This horn has lived in my family for over 100 years, passed down from generation to generation by our senior chief. In our tradition, the Kudu Horn chooses its owner, it chooses its protector—not just the family. Firing that horn to send you off is a piece of my homeland, a piece of our running soul, that we bring right to the high desert. Whether you're chasing a 13.1 PR, splitting the relay with your crew, or bringing the kids out on Saturday, you're about to feel why we love it up here at 7,000 feet. Drink your water, respect the hills, and soak in that finish at the Railyard. We saved you a spot — see you out there.

Coach Kosgei

Race Director & Founder · Santa Fe International Half Marathon

Pick your distance

Four races, one weekend

From a goal half marathon to a free dash for the kids — there's a start line here for everyone, all at 7,000 feet.

A half marathon runner paced down the high-desert roadPast finishers on the high-desert course

Half Marathon

13.1 miles · point-to-point

The main event. Through the oldest streets in the country and downhill to the drums at Railyard Park.

$95 / runner
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Runners pouring through the start archRelay teams out on course

3-Amigos Relay

3 × 4.4 miles · team of three

Split the 13.1 with two friends. Three legs, one finish line, all the bragging rights.

$255 / team
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Runners out on the high-desert course4K runners at the Railyard

4K Fitness

4 kilometers · walk / jog / run

A friendly loop through town for a first race, a PR, or a low-key morning with friends.

$45 / runner
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Finishers celebrating at the awards podiumMedals & smiles at the finish

Kids 1K Dash

1 kilometer · Saturday · ages 12 & under

A 1K just for our youngest runners. Every kid gets a medal. Zero entry fee, all heart.

Free medal included
Sign up →
Official USATF-certified Santa Fe International Half Marathon course map
Official course map Save your certified map as images/web/course-map.jpg and it appears here.
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Start · Eldorado Peak · Mile 4 Finish · Railyard
7,330'
6,956'
13.109

The Course Profile

Measured with absolute precision by Tim Newell, this point-to-point, net-downhill course follows the shortest possible path. You'll start out at La Tienda at Eldorado, wind through historic scenic highway corridors, and finish right behind SITE Santa Fe.

🏁

The Starting Line

La Tienda at Eldorado (Elev. 6,992'). Gather early for the 7:30 AM drop-down corral launch sequence.

01

Avenida Vista Grande

68 feet south of the Ave Amistad Next Signal sign. Find your rhythm on flat asphalt stretching out toward US-285.

04

Woods Loop — High Point

Elev. 7,330' near Woods Loop. This is the highest point on the course — from here it's a net-downhill run all the way to the Railyard finish.

11

Old Santa Fe Trail

17 feet north of the white stop line on the south side of the Monte Sol intersection.

★

The Finish Hub

Alley corridor directly behind SITE Santa Fe (Elev. 6,956'). Exactly 18'6" from the finish line to the fiber optic vault.

The short course

A flat, fast Railyard loop

Acequia & Rail Trail loop

The 4K Acequia & Rail Trail Circuit

2.5 Miles • Starts & finishes at the Railyard

Skip the morning shuttle buses entirely. The 4K Fitness loop stays right in the urban heart of Santa Fe. Runners and walkers cross the starting mat at the Railyard, flow down the paved paths of the historic Acequia Trail, loop across the Rail Trail corridor, and sprint back into the festival finish-line plaza.

Terrain note

100% flat, paved, and incredibly fast. Zero high-altitude hill climbs make this the ultimate family-friendly track of race weekend.

View 4K details

Before you run

Race weekend expo

Pick up your packet, browse local high-altitude gear, and settle in before race morning.

Warehouse 21 · Railyard District

Health & Wellness Expo

Fri, Sept 18 · 12:00–6:00 PM
Sat, Sept 19 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Located at historic Warehouse 21 in the Railyard District. Drop by early to beat the crowd, pick up your runner packet, and browse local high-altitude gear exhibits.

Expo details
Runners at the Santa Fe International Half Marathon
Ages 12 & Under

The Kids 1K Dash

A high-energy, fun-filled loop around the festival grounds designed entirely for our next generation of runners. Every single participant receives an official race bib and crosses the main finish line to secure a custom finisher medal.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
100% Free
Railyard Park Plaza
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Claim free Kids bib

Saturday Festival FAQ

What is the Indigo Dyeing Workshop?
It is a hands-on cultural workshop hosted by local artist Kasali from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Railyard Plaza. Families can learn traditional natural vat dye techniques. Bring a plain white cotton shirt or bandana to dye for free!
How do I register my child for the 1K Dash?
Registration is completely free. You can sign up online right now to skip the lines, or drop by the registration tables at Warehouse 21 on Saturday starting at 10:00 AM until 2:45 PM.
Can parents run along with their children?
Absolutely. Parents and guardians are fully encouraged to jog alongside younger runners. Strollers, wagons, and family cheering crews are 100% welcome along the entirely closed Railyard Park loop.
Can I pick up my adult half marathon packet at the same time?
Yes! The Health & Wellness Expo and Packet Pick-Up hub inside Warehouse 21 runs all day Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We highly recommend grabbing your adult bib before the Kids Dash crowd begins at 3:00 PM.

Plan your weekend

Everything before race morning

A few honest pointers from our team so you arrive ready and leave wanting to come back.

Beat the altitude

Coming from sea level? Get here two to three days early, skip the hard efforts, and keep a water bottle glued to your hand.

Getting here

Fly into Albuquerque (ABQ) and drive an hour north, or land right at Santa Fe Regional (SAF).

Packet pickup

Grab your bib at the Warehouse 21 expo, Saturday 10–5. There's no pickup at the start line, so plan ahead.

Where to stay

Book near the Railyard — that's the finish, the festival, and where shuttles leave for the Eldorado start.

Finishers celebrating on the podium at the Capitol Ford backdrop
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Capitol Ford
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Our story

Built by local runners, for everyone who shows up

We started this race because we wanted the run we'd actually travel for. No corporate gloss — just the oldest city in the country, a course that earns its views, and a town that treats every runner like a neighbor.

You'll hear drums on the corners. Strangers will scream your name. And when you turn toward the Railyard, the whole place gets loud — for you.

14years welcoming runners to the high desert
12,000+finishers welcomed, and counting
1 townthat turns out for every single mile