Christmas Mountain 5 Mile Run

Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and the lighting of Christmas Mountain in Salida with a 5 mile race!  Course begins and ends by Riverside Park in downtown Salida. Race course is very scenic and flat (around 160 feet of elevation gain) and takes place on city and county roads and gravel or 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 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, beginning at 6pm, followed by fireworks.  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 (TBD for 2023) will be offered to the top 3 M/F overall, along with the first place M/F masters runner (TBD for 2023).

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, post race snacks are included, and the cost is only $10!  

For more information or if you're interested in sponsoring or volunteering at this event, please contact Kristy Falcon at [email protected].

Price breakdown for 2023 is listed below.  

Race prices for 2023 do not include a race t-shirt.  Participants in both the 5 mile and 1 mile race will have the option of purchasing a t-shirt for an additional $15 when registering for the event (must be purchased before 11/10).  T-shirts will be gender specific, and will be a nice cotton blend - bella and canvas or something else similar.

1 Mile Run - $10 for anyone if you register online before race day.  Race day registration will cost $15 for adults, and will stay at $10 for kids.

5 Mile Run - $20 for anyone 16 and under, no matter when you register.  

5 Mile Run (ages 17 and up) - $25 from 5/1 - 9/30, $30 from 10/1 - 11/9, and $35 from 11/10 - 11/23.  Race day registration will cost $40.