12th Annual · Sunday, October 18, 2026

The Palmer Lake
.5K

YES — THAT’S POINT FIVE K.

546 yards of scenic glory around Palmer Lake in peak fall color. A donut at the halfway mark, a cold beer or root beer at the finish, and bragging rights for life.

0.5K
546 yards
10:30
AM start
100%
to the lake
Register Now

Early-bird pricing from $15 · 100% of proceeds fund Palmer Lake

Own a local business? See sponsorship opportunities ↓

Early-bird pricing ends August 31 at 11:59 PM MDT. Prices increase monthly after that — and day-of costs even more.

The “run” for absolutely everyone

Walkers. Strollers. Dogs. People who own running shoes but have never used them. This is your race. Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 18th, 2026 — the 12th Annual Palmer Lake .5K, brought to you by Awake the Lake.

Come run (or walk, or skip, or crawl) your way through the most fun half-kilometer of the year. Because every great town deserves a ridiculous race.

10:30 AM
🎉 Race starts

All 546 glorious yards of it.

After the race
🎉 Afterparty

Continues until we run out of beer, root beer, and donuts.

Last year's highlights

Costumes, donuts, dogs, and the whole town on the course.

Collage of highlights from a past Palmer Lake .5K
Runners in matching donut-themed costumes at the .5K start line
Runners in inflatable sumo costumes at the .5K
Runners dressed as a fishbowl at the .5K
A group of runners dressed in matching suits at the .5K
A runner dangling a donut on a fishing pole at the .5K
Donuts staged at the halfway mark of the .5K
A dog in a bandana at the .5K
A dog in a Broncos jersey at the .5K
The crowd at the .5K starting line
Runners lined up along the lakeshore during the .5K
Volunteers at the .5K merchandise table

Your registration includes

Yes, all of this. For a half-kilometer.

🏁Entry into the most epic 0.5K ever attempted
👕A one-of-a-kind Palmer Lake .5K race T-shirt
🔖The coveted .5K Euro-style bumper sticker (you know you want it)
🍩One delicious donut (yes, we’re serious)
🍺One beer or root beer
🐕One dog treat — depending on your age and species

Early-bird pricing

Lock in the lowest price of the year.

$25
Adults
$20
Kids 12 & under
$15
Dogs

👕 T-shirt deadline: October 8 at 4 PM

Register by then to lock in your size. Day-of registration is available, but prices go up!

Register Now

Win fabulous (and probably weird) prizes for:

Best outfitBest costumeBest attitude

So dress up, show up, and be awesome.

Important details

When: Sunday, October 18, 2026 — race starts 10:30 AM
Where: 104 CO-105, Palmer Lake, CO 80133
T-shirt deadline: Register by October 8 at 4 PM to lock in your size
Early-bird ends: August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM MDT

FAQ

Can kids run?

Absolutely — as long as they’re good kids! $20 gets them in, with root beer instead of the real stuff.

Can dogs come?

Yep! Only good pups on leashes. $15 includes a custom bandanna and a gourmet dog treat (no beer for them, sorry).

Where does the money go?

100% of proceeds go to Awake Palmer Lake, helping improve our parks, trails, and the lake itself.

For Local Businesses

Sponsorship Opportunities

Put your business in front of hundreds of neighbors on race day — and help fund the parks, trails, and the lake itself. 100% of proceeds go to Awake Palmer Lake.

Top Tier

Presenting Sponsor

$5,000
  • Custom sponsorship package
  • Name included in radio / TV / press release
  • Large logo on all promotional materials & race shirt
  • Large logo on the Awake Palmer Lake website, registration site, email blasts & social media
  • Booth space at packet pickup & finish line
  • Banner displayed on the race course
  • Business included in race day announcements
  • Promotional materials emailed digitally and/or handed out at packet pickup
  • 6 free entries

Platinum Sponsor

$2,000
  • Large logo on all promo materials & race shirt
  • Large logo on the Awake Palmer Lake website, registration site & social media
  • Booth space at packet pickup & finish line
  • Banner displayed on the race course
  • Business included in race day announcements
  • Sponsor promotional materials emailed digitally
  • 4 free entries

Gold Sponsor

$1,000
  • Medium logo on all promo materials & race shirt
  • Medium logo on the Awake Palmer Lake website, registration site & social media
  • Finish line sponsor booth
  • Banner displayed on the race course
  • Business included in race day announcements
  • 2 free entries

Silver Sponsor

$500
  • Small logo on all promo materials & race shirt
  • Small logo on the Awake Palmer Lake website, registration site & social media
  • Finish line sponsor booth
  • Banner displayed on the race course
Become a Sponsor Download the Sponsorship Flyer (PDF)

Questions? Email info@awakepalmerlake.org

See you at the starting line.

546 yards. One donut. One cold one. Bragging rights for life.

Register Now

Early-bird pricing ends August 31 · 100% of proceeds go to Awake Palmer Lake

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