Thin Air. Big Sky. True Grit.
Come for 13.1 miles on the Santa Fe River. Stay for the green chile, the galleries and the mountains.
The climb comes between miles 4 and 9, then you run downhill to Reunity Resources Farm. Elevation in feet, simplified from our 2026 GPS data. The course stays on the same River Trail corridor for 2027.
Half Marathon and 3-Amigos Relay, 7:30 AM start at Romero’s Park
5K, 10K and Kids Fun Dash, all starting at Reunity Resources Farm
Santa Fe’s elevation. Plan to arrive early.
Online registration closes for every event. No walk-ups.
Pick your weekend
One trip. Three ways to do it.
Sunday, Sept 19
The full send
The Half Marathon. 13.1 miles, a kudu horn send-off and drumming at the start, a custom finisher medal at the end, and a week’s worth of excuses to eat well afterward.
$75 early bird. Rises to $85, then $95.
Saturday, Sept 18
The easy Saturday
Run the 5K or the new 10K and have your Sunday back. It also works well if half your group runs and the other half would rather browse galleries. The Kids Fun Dash is the same morning.
$30 5K · $50 10K early bird
Sunday, Sept 19
The 3-Amigos
Bring two friends and split the half into three legs. You pass a ceremonial sash instead of a baton. Nobody has to run the whole thing, and everybody gets the trip.
$195 per team of 3, early bird
Registration opens October 10, 2026. Prices shown are early-bird.
The plan
Five days, start to finish
- ArriveLand in Albuquerque, pick up the rental car, drive north. Check in, drink water, skip the big dinner and the second margarita. Both hit harder up here.
- WalkTake it slow around the Plaza and the Palace of the Governors. Keep a water bottle in your hand the whole day.
- Jog20 easy minutes, flat and conversational. Your lungs will tell you it feels harder than it should. That’s the altitude, not your fitness.
- EatRed or green chile? Say “Christmas” and get both.
- RacePacket pickup at Reunity Resources Farm, 10 AM to 6 PM. Every participant picks up here.
- DoCanyon Road galleries in the afternoon, or Museum Hill if you want shade and something to look at.
- EatEarly dinner, something simple. Set the alarm for Sunday and lay your gear out tonight.
- Race5K, 10K and Kids Fun Dash start at Reunity Resources Farm. Packet pickup continues 10 AM to 5 PM.
- CheerRunning Sunday? Come out and clap for the 5K and 10K crowd. Then put your feet up. Seriously.
- DoEasy afternoon. A museum, a long lunch, a short walk along the River Trail so you know what you’re getting into.
- RaceHalf Marathon and 3-Amigos Relay, 7:30 AM at Romero’s Park in Agua Fría. Kudu horn, drums, then go. Start slower than feels right.
- RaceFinish at Reunity Resources Farm. Race-morning packet pickup is for emergencies only, 6 to 7 AM.
- DoLong lunch, nap, then a hot soak. Santa Fe has good places for it.
- RecoverWalk off the stairs problem. Then a day trip: Bandelier, the High Road toward Taos, or the Georgia O’Keeffe country near Abiquiú.
Altitude, plain talk
Seven thousand feet is no joke
If you’re coming from sea level, the air feels thin on the first walk up a flight of stairs. Plenty of our runners say the first two days are the worst. Plan around it.
Arrive early
Two full days before the race gives your body a head start. Three is better. Arriving the night before is the riskiest plan.
Drink more than you think
The air is dry and you’ll lose water without noticing. Start the habit the day you land, not the day before the race.
Go easy on alcohol
It lands harder at elevation and dehydrates you faster. Save the celebration for Sunday afternoon.
Pace the hill
The climb is miles 4 to 9. Hold back there and you’ll have legs for the downhill finish. Add sunscreen and a hat, because the sun is strong up here.
Where to stay
Book early. September fills up.
Our lodging partners
- Concept Hotel Group: The Sage Hotel, Guadalupe Inn, Coyote South and Inn at Santa Fe.
- Pecos Trail Inn
Race rates and booking codes aren’t set yet. We’ll post them on our Lodging & Travel page and email the race updates list the moment they are.
Getting here
- Fly into Albuquerque. The Sunport is about an hour’s drive from Santa Fe, and a rental car makes the weekend easier.
- Take the train. The Rail Runner connects Albuquerque to the Railyard in Santa Fe. Check the current schedule before you plan around it.
- Race morning. Parking near the start is limited. See our Parking & Shuttles page before you pick a hotel.
Beyond the finish line
Things to do with your legs when they’re done
- The Plaza. Start here. It’s the middle of town, and almost everything else is a short walk or drive away.
- Canyon Road. A half-mile of galleries and courtyards. Go in the late afternoon.
- The Railyard. Shops, restaurants and the old train depot. It’s also where the Saturday farmers market runs.
- Museum Hill. Several museums in one place, with views.
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Worth an hour if you want to see the landscape through her eyes first.
- Meow Wolf. Weird, loud, great for anyone in your group who isn’t running.
- A hot soak. Several spots in and around town have mineral baths and spas. Book ahead for race weekend.
- Eat local. Green chile cheeseburger, posole, sopaipillas and biscochitos. Ask what’s good and listen to the answer.
Hours and booking rules change, so check each place before you go.
See you at
7,000 feet.
The Kitany Water Project is our race’s charitable mission, rooted in Coach Kosgei’s home village of Matunget, Kenya. Run the River, then read about the work.
Dates, prices and event times reflect what we’ve confirmed so far for the 2027 race weekend. Lodging rates, shuttle service and parking are still being finalized. Check the race website for the latest.