Nielson Challenge 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Denver)
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Entry fee
- From Free
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM Start | Other | Oct 3, 20268:00 AM | Free | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Free until Oct 2.
Online registration closes Oct 2, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:55 AM, and the 8:00 AM Start starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 6,000 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
North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 3 the day usually runs from 48°F at dawn to 77°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 1% of days. Cold snaps dip to 42°F and hot years reach 85°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
- North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 6,000 feet
- Distances
- Other
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 3, 2026), 2025 (Jan 4, 2025), 2024 (Jan 6, 2024), 2023 (Jan 7, 2023), 2022 (Jan 1, 2022), 2021 (Mar 6, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Nielson Challenge?
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at Free before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 2, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- What distances can I run?
- Other.
- Where does it start?
- North Monument Valley Park, W Fontanero Street & Culebra Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
From the organizers
IF YOU HAVE A FOREVER BIB THERE IS NO NEED TO REGISTER. YOU ARE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED EACH MONTH.
RACE STARTS AT 8:00 A.M. THE START LINE CLOSES AT 8:05 A.M.
This is a 2 mile race held the first Saturday of each month. You are running against your handicap, which is computed from your previous results for the last two years.
The first time you run this event, you'll establish a base time for yourself. This base time is used to generate a handicap time. The handicap time is calculated using an algorithm developed by Bob Royse, and it's geared to favor a beginning runner and the slower runners. Click here for an explanation of the handicap algorithm.