
From the Organizer
The 30th Annual Cancer League of Colorado Race 4 Research 5K Run/Walk is excited to be back to the full event you love Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Washington Park, Denver!
Run In-Person
The race will kick off at 9am (end approximately 11am) on Sunday, August 16th. There will only be day-of-race in-person registration at Washington Park, but we prefer you register online in advance. Come early to pick up race bibs and t-shirts the morning of the race at the Registration desk.
Pricing
Adults
12 & Under
Help Us Fundraise
The Race 4 Research raises money for Cancer League of Colorado, a non-profit charitable organization that is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or offices. The money raised goes directly to support cancer research and clinical trials performed at the University of Colorado Cancer Center or to cancer patient support organizations in Colorado. When registering, a fundraising page will automatically be created for you. You also may join a fundraising team and send out emails or social media posts to request donations. There is no fundraising minimum to participate in the Race 4 Research, but we rely on our participants' voluntary fundraising efforts to help us meet our donation goal of $100,000 for the race.
Miracle Mile
Honor someone’s battle with cancer with a Miracle Mile Walk Poster. As an individual or team, raise a minimum of $1,000 and you will receive 1 complimentary Miracle Mile Poster to honor someone's battle with cancer. The Miracle Mile is a line of inspirational posters placed along the race route that honor loved ones touched by cancer. The Miracle Mile shows exactly who Cancer League of Colorado has been fighting for more than 50 years. Once a participant has reached the minimum amount required, a Race 4 Research volunteer will reach out and gather information from you to create or renew your poster. The Miracle Mile will also be featured at other Cancer League fundraising events this year, including Over the Edge, the rappelling event which will be held in downtown Denver. Race posters will need to be ordered and finalized no later than August 8th.
In Memory of Michele Plachy-Rubin
The Race 4 Research was first organized and run in 1997 by the friends and family of Michele Plachy-Rubin, a young mother and kindergarten teacher who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1996. Michele walked the first race with her 1-year-old son but tragically lost her battle with cancer in 1998. Cancer League of Colorado has continued the race in her memory. This all-volunteer charity has raised and awarded over $26 million for cancer research and cancer-related services in Colorado since 1969.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
90°
Typical Low
60°
Chance of Rain
26%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Denver Water Dept, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
713,734
as of 2023
City Elevation
5,286 ft
Nearest Airport
DEN
Denver International Airport · 18 mi
Time Zone
Mountain Time
From Endurance Grid
A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Cancer League of Colorado Race 4 Research, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
60
Days to train
Coming Up
Denver Pride 5K
2 miles away
RMRR December 4.5mi
2 miles away
2026 Jingle Bell Run - Colorado
2 miles away
Santa's Dash for Ca$h
2 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cancer League of Colorado Race 4 Research
Aug 16, 2026