Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon 2026
- Date
- Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Start time
- 7:00 AM start (Denver)
- Location
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Entry fee
- From $85 · goes up to $145 on Sep 29, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon | Half Marathon | Oct 4, 20267:00 AM | $135$145 after Sep 29, 2026 | 600 |
| Great Balloon Chase 10K Run | 10K | Oct 4, 20267:30 AM | $95$105 after Sep 29, 2026 | 250 |
| Great Balloon Chase 5K Run/Walk | 5K | Oct 4, 20268:00 AM | $85$95 after Sep 29, 2026 | 350 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Half Marathon fee goes up to $145 on Sep 29, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon: $135 until Sep 29, then $145 until Oct 4.
- Great Balloon Chase 10K Run: $95 until Sep 29, then $105 until Oct 4.
- Great Balloon Chase 5K Run/Walk: $85 until Sep 29, then $95 until Oct 4.
Online registration closes Oct 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $135, entry is about 125 percent above a typical half marathon in New Mexico, which costs $60 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a half marathon in Albuquerque runs 2:20:15, about 10:42 a mile, based on 6 races with published results. Women typically finish in 2:30:16 and men in 2:04:14.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:02 AM, and the Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon starts at 7:00 AM. The start sits about 4,980 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
6000 Los Poblanos Feild Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87107
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 (5 years)Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon
Great Balloon Chase 5K Run/Walk
Great Balloon Chase 10K Run
Aggregated from official results (Laurel (Formerly Brooksee)) for Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon?
At the 2025 Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 1:52:39 or better, the top quarter in 2:05:30, and half the field in 2:23:37; the last tenth came in after 3:18:56.
At the 2025 Great Balloon Chase 5K Run/Walk, the fastest tenth finished in 28:21 or better, the top quarter in 32:10, and half the field in 41:31; the last tenth came in after 58:21.
At the 2025 Great Balloon Chase 10K Run, the fastest tenth finished in 52:25 or better, the top quarter in 58:28, and half the field in 1:09:30; the last tenth came in after 1:39:03.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 1:52:55 | 1:39:17 |
| 30-39 | 1:45:57 | 1:38:35 |
| 40-49 | 1:42:51 | 1:33:24 |
| 50-59 | 1:50:16 | 1:47:42 |
| 60-69 | 1:58:03 | 2:07:23 |
| 70+ | 3:19:00 | n/a |
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 72 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon Half Marathon year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 320 to 467 finishers, and the median time rose from 2:22:55 to 2:23:37.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 467 (+9%) | 2:23:37 | under 1:52:39 | 1:22:25 |
| 2024 | 428 (+43%) | 2:24:59 | under 1:53:09 | 1:24:22 |
| 2023 | 299 (+32%) | 2:24:07 | under 1:47:39 | 1:10:45 |
| 2022 | 227 (-29%) | 2:25:44 | under 1:50:37 | 52:32 |
| 2021 | 320 | 2:22:55 | under 1:52:10 | 1:32:45 |
From each year's official results for the Half Marathon; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Slower than most New Mexico half marathons
The fastest quarter of the 2025 half marathon field finished under 2:05:30, against 1:57:01 in a typical New Mexico half marathon, so times here run 7 percent slower.
- 5K: Slower than most New Mexico 5Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 32:10, against 30:31 in a typical New Mexico 5K, so times here run 5 percent slower.
- 10K: About average for New Mexico 10Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2025 10K field finished under 58:28, against 57:02 in a typical New Mexico 10K, 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 October 4 the day usually runs from 54°F at dawn to 76°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 11% of days. Cold snaps dip to 48°F and hot years reach 84°F.
Based on 75 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
- 6000 Los Poblanos Feild Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87107Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 4,980 feet
- Included with entry
- Medial, T-Shirt & More
- Distances
- 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 4, 2026), 2025 (Oct 5, 2025), 2024 (Oct 6, 2024), 2023 (Oct 8, 2023), 2022 (Oct 2, 2022), 2021 (Oct 3, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon?
- Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $85 before processing fees, and rises to $145 on Sep 29, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for New Mexico?
- At $135, entry is about 125 percent above a typical half marathon in New Mexico, which costs $60 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, 10K, Half Marathon.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 467 runners finished the Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon; the median finish was 2:23:37 and the winner ran 1:22:25.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 half marathon field finished under 2:05:30, against 1:57:01 in a typical New Mexico half marathon, so times here run 7 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- 6000 Los Poblanos Feild Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87107.
From the organizers
🎈 The Great Balloon Chase
Rise to the Run!
A destination race celebrating the magic of hot air balloons and the thrill of running
🎉 10th Anniversary Celebration! 🎉
The first 1,000 registrants will receive an exclusive commemorative jacket!
RaceNM proudly presents the Great Balloon Chase—available in a Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. Get ready for the most breathtaking run of your life! Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of hot air balloons from the world's largest ballooning event soaring above you as you run.
Why This Race Is a Must-Do
🌄 Unparalleled Scenery
Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of hot air balloons from the world's largest ballooning event soaring above you as you run!
⛰️ Stunning Backdrop