
From the Organizer
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.
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
48°
Typical Low
16°
Chance of Rain
10%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Salida, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
5,786
as of 2023
Elevation
7,090 ft
Nearest Airport
GUC
Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport · 51 mi
Major Hub
COS
City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport · 73 mi
Time Zone
Mountain Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Christmas Mountain 5 Mile Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
172
Days to train
Coming Up
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Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
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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)
Christmas Mountain 5 Mile Run
Nov 27, 2026