DreamCatcher Half Marathon & 10k

Both races are sold out. Walk up registration is available on 2 Mar 2019 from 6:30 am to 7:30 am at the race start - medal and shirt are not guaranteed.

Participant T-Shirt: Registrations received after 1 February 2019 are not guaranteed a t-shirt (but we'll do our best!).

Participant Limit: 150 runners is our limit. Once we reach that, we'll start a wait list. 

Where is the DreamCatcher Half being held?

• Grand Junction, Colorado. Race start and finish will be at the Botanical Gardens in Grand Junction. The course follows the Riverfront trail – through beautiful local parks, by the Botanical Gardens and with scenery that just can’t be beaten.  

What is the course like?

• The course is relatively flat, save for a hill just after mile 1.  The course follows a multi-use path with very minor traversing over gravel/dirt path.  Please note: the majority of the course is on a concrete path. The certified half marathon course map can be found here.
• The 10k course is flat and can be found here.

What is the easiest way to get there?

• Grand Junction is about 4 hours west of Denver on I-70 and 4 hours east of Salt Lake City, UT (using I-80, I-15 and I-70).  We are also served by a small regional airport with the following airlines flying into Grand Junction Regional (GJT): United, Delta, American, US Air, Allegiant.  The following rental car companies are located within the terminal: Enterprise, Avis/Budget, Hertz, Alamo and National.

What is the elevation of Grand Junction?

• Grand Junction sits comfortably at 4,593 feet above sea level. With mountains all around, the Grand Valley (as it’s known) is sheltered from severe winter weather and averages 242 days of sunshine!

What is the weather like in Grand Junction?

• Average Temperature in Grand Junction in March is 43 degrees with an average max temperature of 66 degrees and an average low temperature of 32 degrees.  At DreamCatcher 2017, the starting temperature at the 7:00 am start was 42 degrees and it warmed up to around 67 degrees by the finish.

Is there a time limit for the DreamCatcher Half or the 10k?

• 5 hours for the half
• 3.5 hours for the 10k

Are both races chip-timed?

• Yes! 

What do I get for my registration fee?

All participants receive full race support. Every aid station will have water, Skratch hydration and snacks. All runners get to partake in the finish area re-fueling station which will have protein, carbohydrates, and fruit in addition to water, chocolate milk, chocolate almond milk and soda. Each finisher will receive a participant shirt (male or female cut) and a unique finisher medal.

All race results are officially timed and posted online and therefore are eligible to be used to qualify for races that require official times.                                       

When is packet pick-up?

• Packet Pick will be Friday, March 1 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Summit Canyon Mountaineering, 461 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO.
• Race day packet pick up will be available from 6:30 am to 7:45 am. Because race morning is hectic, we are asking that if you are able, please use the Friday evening pick up.

I have a friend who would like to register on race day, is that possible?

• At this time, race day registration is not available. We have met our participant cap.

I have a friend or family member that is traveling with me but will not be running, can they volunteer?

• Yes!  We love volunteers and could not do the event without them!  

Are dogs and/or strollers allowed on the course?

• Dogs are not allowed on the course (with the exception of service animals).  Strollers are allowed.  If you will be using a stroller, please position yourself toward the back of the pack at the start and be conscientious of other participants who might want to get around you.

Do you use a wave start?

• DreamCatcher Half Marathon utilizes a reverse wave system with the longer expected finishes starting first and the faster expected finishes starting last.  You will be asked which start time you would like to participate in and we ask that you stick with that time.  
• All 10k runners will start at the same time, 8:30 am.

What is the course like?

• The course utilizes the Riverfront trail system along the Colorado River and are mainly cement/asphalt bike paths with an occassional forray into a packed dirt path.
• The half has a hill at the beginning (164 foot incline)
• The 10k is flat.

I’ve never done a Half Marathon or 10k before, will I be allowed to finish?

• Yes!  The Half Marathon has a 5 hour time limit (22.90 minutes/mile pace) and the 10k has a 3.5 hour time limit (33.87 minutes/mile pace) - perfect for those just getting started with long distance running or recovering from an injury.

What kind of support will there be?

• Aid stations will have a variety of snacks, fruit, water and Skratch Labs Hydration
• Portable Toilets and Indoor Toilets are located at the start/finish as well as along both courses
• An EMT medic will be available at the finish area and can be dispatched along the course if needed

Do you need volunteers?

• Always!  We have need of volunteers in every position from course marshal to start line attendant to everything in between.  We have a great need for cyclists as well – to ensure course safety and to guide runners along the course.  If you’re interested, please contact us!

Can I use my iPod or other personal music device on the course?

• Yes.  We ask that you use just one ear bud so you can be aware of your surroundings.

Is the course certified?

• The Half Marathon Course is certified - USATF Certificate #CO15018DCR.
• The 10k Course is not a certified course.

Is there a maximum participant level?

• 150 total participants between both distances

What if my plans change/I get injured/a family emergency arises?  Can I get a refund? Can I transfer my registration to a friend or family member?

• To produce a world class marathon, the DreamCatcher Half Marathon & 10k must coordinate our efforts and plan well in advance, making it difficult and costly to make changes after registration. Medals, bibs, shirts and other items are ordered months before the race and purchased according to the original information provided during registration. Many items are personalized to the individual and the race. As a result, and similar to other races in the industry, the DreamCatcher Half Marathon & 10k does not refund entry fees. In addition, certain release forms and emergency content are specific to the individual participant. Transferring such information would be a liability to the participant and the marathon. Due to annual changes, an entry fee into this year’s race does not transfer to next year’s event. This policy applies to individuals with injuries, unexpected business, family emergencies, etc. Additionally, the fee is nonrefundable if the event is canceled due to the threat of or acts of God, war, terrorism, disaster, earthquake, government regulation and/or for economic/financial reasons.  The DreamCatcher Half Marathon & 10k does not offer refunds, exchanges, rollovers or deferrals.

What is the weather policy?

• The event may be canceled due to extreme weather that would cause safety concerns for participants and volunteers but generally will go on rain or shine.  Decisions about weather closure will be made and announced through the website, social media, email and phone contact.