Events
Christmas Mountain 5 Mile Run
Christmas Mountain 1 Mile Run
Description
Registration for this year's Christmas Mountain Run will open on June 1! There will be a new 5 mile race course this year, taking place on city and county roads and concrete pedestrian paths. The 1 mile course with remain the same.
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and the lighting of Christmas Mountain in Salida with a 5 mile and 1 mile race! The 5 mile course begins and ends by Riverside Park in downtown Salida. Race course is very scenic and mostly flat (around 215 feet of elevation gain) and takes place on city and county roads and concrete pedestrian paths. This event is designed for all runners, and we encourage all ages and abilities to come out! Packet pickup, post race drinks and snacks, and awards will also take place at the Salida Scout Hut in Riverside Park in downtown Salida.
Race begins at 10am, giving participants time to sleep in after Thanksgiving, and then relax with friends and family before heading back to downtown Salida for the lighting of Christmas Mountain. Festivities in town associated with this event include the annual Christmas Mountain parade, which begins at 6pm. This is one of Salida's biggest and most celebratory nights each year.
The goals of this event are to encourage health, fitness, fun, and community connection around the Thanksgiving holiday; to offer another competitive racing opportunity in Chaffee County; and to raise money during the holiday season for the Chaffee County Community Foundation. Prize money will be offered to the top finishers: top 3 M/F overall ($150/$100/$75), along with the first place M/F masters runner ($100).
There will also be a one mile run, which will begin at approximately 10:05am. Participants will run down Sackett Avenue, turn around after 1/2 mile, and head back to the finish line. This race will be timed, all competitors will receive a participant ribbon, and post race snacks are included.
For more information or if you're interested in sponsoring or volunteering at this event, please contact Kristy Falcon at christmasmountainrun@gmail.com.
Race Contact Info
Place
Salida, CO US 81201
Course Map
New Race Course for 2026! Due to permitting changes, the 5 mile race course has been routed off of CPW land. Race description and map is below. Race course remains a scenic 5 mile loop that begins and ends in front of the Scout Hut and utilizes city and county roads and pedestrian paths.
Race course is a 5 mile loop (closer to 4.9 miles) that begins and ends on Sackett Avenue in downtown Salida by the front of the Scout Hut. This is a mostly flat and scenic course with about 215 feet of elevation gain/loss. There may be a few snowy or icy spots on the course. Runners will head west on Sacket Ave for a half mile, and then follow city streets up to Crestone Avenue and the mesa. Runners will follow Crestone Avenue and the bike path until they reach CR 144. Turn left onto CR 144, and then turn left onto CR 140. Runners then follow CR 140 until they reach the 4 way intersection with Holman Ave. Cross the intersection, head down the pedestrian path on Holman, and turn left on the Monarch Spur Trail. Follow this pedestrian/bike path until you reach Sackett Avenue, and then turn right and head back to the finish at the Salida Scout Hut. Race course is a mix of paved roads and paved bike paths with one very short section on Holman Ave that includes a gravel path. All roads and other paths will be open to other users, including vehicle traffic, throughout the event.
Directions
Race Participant Survey
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