Colorado running and cycling events once again earned high praise from the readers and experts who decide the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
The state has seven honorees on the top 10 lists for 5K runs, half marathons, sprint triathlons and road cycling events. That is up from five in 2025. No Colorado event took first in its category, and none made the lists for marathons or fun runs.
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards aim to highlight the “best of the best in various travel and lifestyle categories, including destinations, food and drink and attractions.”
Here’s a look at some of Colorado’s best runs and rides:
Colorado’s Ride
This five-day, 300-mile ride was ranked the No. 5 road cycling event in the U.S. It “showcases the best of the Rocky Mountain state, featuring scenic towns and epic climbs to iconic passes,” USA TODAY 10BEST said. This year’s ride starts and ends in Crested Butte and travels through Cottonwood Pass, Chalk Creek, Salida, Monarch Pass and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Boulderthon Heart to Heart 5K
The No. 6 5K run and only Colorado entry in the top 10 for the category features a roads-only course through downtown Boulder. Previous editions of the event drew more than 15,000 participants from every state and 18 countries.
Tour of the Moon
This ride through the red rock canyons of Colorado National Monument was ranked the No. 7 cycling road race in the nation. It offers 41- and 64-mile courses, and registration fees help support Bicycle Colorado and One Riverfront.
Desert’s Edge Triathlon
The No. 7 sprint triathlon, this event at Highline State Park in Fruita gives participants a choice of events. They include a sprint road race, an off-road sprint and a version for NCAA triathlon athletes, all with comparable distances.
Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon
This race, which started in 2001, ranked No. 9 among sprint triathlons. Racers complete a 750-meter swim across Lake Loveland, a 15-mile bike ride and a 5K run. The event draws many repeat competitors, according to USA TODAY 10BEST.
Slacker Half Marathon
The world’s highest half marathon, the Slacker ranked No. 9 in its category. Runners start at the base of Loveland Ski Area and descend more than 2,000 feet in the run. The course takes runners through wetlands, historic mining sites and waterfalls along dirt and paved roads.
Rim Rock Half Marathon
This run in Grand Junction is new to the awards this year and ranks No. 10 among half marathons. Its course takes runners through Colorado National Monument, giving runners views of its plateaus, canyons and red sandstone monoliths, according to USA TODAY 10BEST.
How are 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards winners selected?
USA TODAY 10BEST says a panel of experts nominates events in each award category, with the final nominees selected via editorial review by its editors. Once the nominees in an award category are announced, the public has four weeks to vote online for their favorites. People can vote for one nominee in each category each calendar day.
Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: These 7 Colorado running, cycling events rank among nation’s best