Candy Cane Course - Denver 2026
- Date
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (Denver)
- Location
- Westminster, Colorado
- Entry fee
- From $22 · goes up to $40 on Oct 12, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a hoodie or sweatshirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10K | 10K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $36$40 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| 15K | 15K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $36$40 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| 1 Mile | 1 Mile | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $27 | – |
| 5K | 5K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $36$40 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| Candy Cane 10K 2027 | 10K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $36$40 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| Candy Cane 15K 2027 | 15K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $36$40 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| Candy Cane 5K 2027 | 5K | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $36$40 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| Kids Dash | Kids | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $22 | – |
| Volunteer then Run | – | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $22 | 5 |
| Virtual RaceVirtual | – | Dec 6, 20269:00 AM | $44 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 10K fee goes up to $40 on Oct 12, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 10K and 15K and 5K and Candy Cane 10K 2027 and Candy Cane 15K 2027 and Candy Cane 5K 2027: $36 until Oct 12, then $40 until Nov 16, then $44 until Dec 5, then $48 until Dec 6.
- 1 Mile: $27 until Dec 6.
- Kids Dash and Volunteer then Run: $22 until Dec 6.
Online registration closes Dec 6, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $36, entry is about the same as a typical 15K in Colorado ($34).
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:06 AM, and the 10K starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 5,450 feet above sea level, high enough that most runners from lower ground run noticeably slower.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Westfield Village Park, Westminster, CO 80031
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (3 years)5k
12k
Aggregated from official results for Candy Cane Course - Denver. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Candy Cane Course - Denver?
At the 2025 5k, the fastest tenth finished in 26:09 or better, the top quarter in 30:26, and half the field in 37:34; the last tenth came in after 55:14.
At the 2025 12k, the fastest tenth finished in 59:32 or better, the top quarter in 1:06:10, and half the field in 1:16:13; the last tenth came in after 1:38:29.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 30:37 | 24:24 |
| 20-29 | 31:24 | 24:12 |
| 30-39 | 23:54 | 25:50 |
| 40-49 | 26:57 | 25:58 |
| 50-59 | 34:35 | 34:11 |
| 60-69 | 31:16 | 48:22 |
| 70+ | 41:19 | 27:48 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Up 138 percent since 2023.
All events combined, from official results.
Candy Cane Course - Denver 5K year by year
From 2023 to 2025, the field went from 77 to 193 finishers, and the median time dropped from 38:01 to 37:34.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 193 (-9%) | 37:34 | under 26:09 | 18:50 |
| 2024 | 213 (+177%) | 36:54 | under 26:59 | 17:53 |
| 2023 | 77 | 38:01 | under 28:00 | 23:30 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
About average for Colorado 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 30:26, against 29:37 in a typical Colorado 5K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 6 the day usually runs from 25°F at dawn to 48°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 5% of days. Cold snaps dip to 16°F and hot years reach 62°F.
Based on 65 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- Westfield Village Park, Westminster, CO 80031Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 5,450 feet
- Included with entry
- Sweatshirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 15K, Kids
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 6, 2026), 2025 (Dec 27, 2025), 2024 (Dec 22, 2024), 2023 (Dec 3, 2023)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Candy Cane Course - Denver?
- Sunday, December 6, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $22 before processing fees, and rises to $40 on Oct 12, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 6, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Colorado?
- At $36, entry is about the same as a typical 15K in Colorado ($34).
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a hoodie or sweatshirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 15K, Kids.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 193 runners finished the 5k; the median finish was 37:34 and the winner ran 18:50.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 30:26, against 29:37 in a typical Colorado 5K, so times here are about average.
- Where does it start?
- Westfield Village Park, Westminster, CO 80031.
From the organizers
Join us for the annual Candy Cane Course 5k/10k/15k! A fun, Christmas-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.
The fun includes -
Great Swag - designer shirt & custom medal
Chip-timing with live results and awards
Free photos
Delicious Treats waiting at the finish line
Plenty of fun!
Grab your friends and family, you are not going to want to miss this one!
Can't make the race? No problem! We offer a virtual race option where you can run anywhere, at any time, and still earn the fun swag!
*Youth-based pricing for the 5k/10k, 12 & Under are only $22!
5k/10k/15k registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and an awesome finisher medal!