Cherry Creek Race for the Watershed 5K
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Cherry Creek Race for the Watershed 2026
The Cherry Creek Race for the Watershed is a community 5K walk and fun run held on May 9, 2026 at the Smoky Hill parking area in Cherry Creek State Park, Aurora, Colorado. The event distance is 5K (3.1 miles) and the course is a loop that participants complete twice.
The course was updated on March 15, 2026 to form a loop using a combination of sidewalk trail, single-track trail, and asphalt road. The loop begins on the west side of the Smoky Hill parking lot, connects with the Smoky Hill trail, continues south along the east shades for about 0.4 miles, turns right onto Cherry Creek Park Road around 0.45 miles, then turns left at about 0.75 miles to rejoin the Smoky Hill trail. The route returns to the parking lot near 1.35 miles, circles the east and north sides of the lot, and reaches the start at about 1.55 miles to complete the first loop. The loop is repeated to reach the full 5K. Volunteers will direct participants at Cherry Creek Park Road and the East Boat Ramp Access trail crossing.
Daily state park entry fees are included in registration. Packet pick-up is available in the sponsor booth area of the Smoky Hill shelter and parking lot. Registrations received after April 15 may not guarantee requested t-shirt sizes. All proceeds from the event are donated to the Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers Scholarship Fund. Free food and drinks are provided after the race, including fresh fruit, granola bars, snacks, water, coffee, and sports drinks. Volunteers receive park entry and a t-shirt. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
