Cycling & running events in Boulder, 2026

Boulder Base Miles

Running: Boulder gives runners more than 150 miles of trails, so locals rarely run the same week twice. Mesa Trail rolls from Chautauqua Park with Flatirons views, and the full out-and-back runs half-marathon distance with over 2,000 feet of vert. Mt. Sanitas climbs 1,300 feet in under a mile and a half, so the fitness has nowhere to hide. South Boulder Creek Trail and Bobolink Trail suit chill Z2 days. Boulder Track Club, Elevate Run Club, Fleet Feet Boulder, Avanti Run Club, and RISE Running keep the group calendar busy. Bolder BOULDER 10K, the 2026 Dash & Dine 5k Run Series, and Boulder Marathon give the city its anchor races.

Cycling: Boulder riders get road, gravel, singletrack, and base miles right out the door. Boulder Cycling Club runs Tuesday Night Rides from Twisted Pine Brewery at 5:30 PM and Thursday Night Rides from Upslope Brewery at 5:30 PM. The long version is 2 km with 500 m of elevation. The short version is 7 km with 275 m. The climb is 5 km with 3,112 m of gain. Wednesday Morning Velo and Valmont Short Track Series keep the race legs sharp.

Season: June through September is the cleanest block for longer runs, steady rides, and cool summer nights. Elevate Run Club has long runs every Saturday at 7 am in the summer months, and locals stack Z2, intervals, and trail days before the afternoon heat matters. Boulder Cycling Club weekly rides resume in March, so road and gravel season ramps before summer really lands. Winter stays pretty damn mild when you put it in perspective. Bike paths are regularly plowed clear, and people ride all winter on fat tire bikes with snow tires. Shady areas hold snow after sunny days, so locals watch the ice and keep moving.