No.  Refer to the section on this page titled "WEATHER" for notes about this specific course alterations due to wet trails.  In the case of extreme weather events such as white out blizzards and lightning storms, you will be notified of race day changes via text messaging, emails and notices on this website.  There are no refunds due to weather related issues at the race location or your home location.  

Although dogs are allowed in the park and at the S/F line and Expo area, due to the nature of the single track trails, your pup needs to stay with your spectators for this one!

Due to the nature of single track trails and water crossing options, wheeled devices of any kind are not suitable for this course.  They are not allowed.

We encourage everyone to pick up their race materials during the published packet pickup times, either at Advanced Packet Pickup (APPU) or on race day.

Any unclaimed shirts, packets, and other race swag are donated to a charitable organization, such as ARC or Goodwill, the day after the event. We do not hold items for later pickup or mail unclaimed race materials.

We're sorry we'll miss you! Our events are in-person experiences, and we do not offer a virtual race option.

You're still welcome to pick up your shirt and other race swag during Advanced Packet Pickup or race-day packet pickup, even if you aren't able to participate in the race itself.

We do not mail race materials or hold them for pickup after the event.

Awards are presented at the published race-day awards ceremony. If you earn an award, please plan to attend the ceremony to receive it!

We do not mail awards or hold unclaimed awards for later pickup. Please check the event schedule before race day so you know when awards will be presented.

Unfortunately, no. Our race shirts, medals, and other giveaways are ordered specifically for each event, and we do not maintain an inventory of merchandise from previous years.

We're unable to sell or replace lost, damaged, or broken race swag after an event.

Please keep track of your personal belongings on race day! 3W Races does not maintain a lost and found or store items after an event.

Items left behind will be donated to a local charitable organization the following day.

Exception: If we find a wallet, credit card, identification, or similar personal item, we'll make a reasonable attempt to contact its owner. These items will be held for up to seven days after the event and securely destroyed if unclaimed.

We'd love your help! Volunteers make race day possible, and there are opportunities to assist with packet pickup, registration, the expo, and the course.

Visit the Volunteer page to see available shifts and sign up. 

10-mile racers: by 10:20 AM, the 5 Mile 1st Lap must be completed by this time. 10 Milers will not be allowed to continue into 2nd lap after this time and will be moved to the 5 Mile distance.  The course (for all distances) closes at 11:45 AM.

Did you know you can easily manage your own RunSignUp profile and race registration? You can change your shirt size, switch distances and even transfer your registration to another runner! 

​Tutorial: Modify Profile   E.g. To update your personal info (fix a typo in your name, change your email address, etc)

Tutorial: Change "Giveaway"  E.g. Update your shirt size (your "giveaway")

Tutorial: Transfer to Another Event  E.g. Change distances for the same race date (Run Sign Up, our registration platform, refers to the distance you run as the "event"). If you want to transfer to an entirely different race day, see Transfer to Another Race

Tutorial: Transfer to Another Race  E.g Change events/races entirely! (Run Sign Up, our registration platform, refers to each event as the "race." I.e. The Heart Throb 5k vs. the Prairie Dog Half. Yes, we do allow racers to transfers to different races with 72 hours notice. Please note that a in most cases, a $15 transfer fee is applicable.  It will take what you paid for the event you're currently registered for and apply that amount, less $15, toward the new event. NOTE: If you are transferring a race for a second time, you will need us email us or it will charge you the full amount of the new race fee.

Tutorial: Transfer to Another Runner  E.g. Bib-exchange between someone you know; requires their email address.

Results Notification  Did you know we'll send your race result via email or test message for FREE? It's pretty sweet! When we are chip timing, this will be in real-time! Awesome, huh? Find out how to enable Text Message and Email Results Notifications by opening the attached PDF below. (You wont get spammed, this is for results only)

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

Tutorial: Resend Confirmation Email/Receipt  Did you accidentally delete your confirmation email with all the race details or need a receipt? No worries! You can send yourself a new one.

Thanks for your patience, this is likely an easy fix. First, DO NOT complete your registration. Please email us the voucher/coupon code, a little info on where you got it, and if applicable, a picture of the voucher/gift certificate. We'll get back to you shortly and look into why the code may not be working! If you're on a time crunch because of a price increase, don't worry, we'll honor it when we fix your code. Additionally, you may want to double check what TYPE of code you're using?  Are you putting a VOUCHER code into a COUPON field or vice versa?  Make sure the type of code matches the field into which you are entering it.

No, at this time, we do not offer elite comped entries to events.

All 3W Races events maintain a cup free finish area.  This means that water will be available for refilling your personal water bottles. Biodegradable, cups will be used on the course, but no disposable cups will be available at the finish line. Thank you!

In any given year, 3W Races produces 30-50 of its own events.  Those events are listed here: 3W Races | 3W Owned Events  3W has an extensive support team and partners with another 50-70 events throughout the year providing consultation, timing, course management, emcee services or other event-related support.

Log into Run Sign Up by going to RunSignUp.com -> Click on "profile" in the upper right hand corner -> Scroll down and you'll see all the races you're registered for using the Run Sign Up platform. 

After registering, you have a 15 minute window in which you can clear the transaction.  After that all sales are final and there are no refunds. 

If you need to transfer to a different race date on the 3W Races calendar, you may transfer your registration at least 72 hours BEFORE your scheduled start date (minus a $15 transfer fee) to any other 3W Races event.  

If you purchased the optional insurance in the case of work, relocation or illness, please follow the steps in your confirmation email regarding how to submit your claim.

Tutorial: Transfer to Another Race  E.g. Change events/races entirely! (Run Sign Up, our registration platform, refers to each event as the "race." I.e. The Heart Throb 5k vs. the Prairie Dog Half.) Yes, we do allow racers to transfer to different races with 72 hours notice. Please note that a in most cases, a $15 transfer fee is applicable.  It will apply what you paid for the event you're currently registered for and apply that amount, less $15, toward the new event. NOTE: If you are transferring a race for a second time, you will need us email us or it will charge you the full amount of the new race fee.

Can't make it to advanced packet pick up?  Send a friend, family member or teammate!  We will allow others to pick up for you. 
Yes, there is same day pick up available, usually starting 60-90 minutes before the first race starts.  (See the race schedule for times.)
Avoid the lines; pick up early!  It's not a secret...it makes race day run smoother for everyone when you pick up your gear in advance. 
If you can't make it to advanced packet pick up and have to miss out on the race, you will forfeit your packet.  It will not be held for you to pick up, nor will it be mailed to you under any circumstances. 
If you can't run for any reason, please feel free to still pick up your packet at advanced packet pick up or on race day.

When you register, you get a UNIQUE link that you can share with your friends, family and social media circles. You can also find this link in your CONFIRMATION email. You can always resend your confirmation email to yourself.

Once FIVE people register via clicking that link, you get a refund, automatically. The most you can get back is $20 ($50 for SERIES or PACKAGES), but you will only be refunded the full $20 amount IF you paid more than $25 for a race. I.e. if you registered with a voucher/coupon and didn't pay anything, you WON'T get a referral payment.

Referrals only count when the new registrant pays for a 5k, 10k, 10 miler or half marathon within the SAME event/year, at full price. Races that include a kid's race or free race DO NOT count toward your FIVE referrals. See each race's website for more info.
Referral Tutorial: CLICK HERE
Tutorial: Apply a referral code retroactively (i.e you friend signed up but DIDN'T use your link)

Right now there is not a way to purchase a race-specific gift certificate through the registration site, however you may email us at Info@3WRaces.com and let us know what you'd like to and we'll get you taken care of! Make sure to include the amount,  the race (or if you just want it toward any 3W race), the recipient, and their email.

3W Races is a for-profit company with several employees. 100% of employees live, work, play and raise their families right here in Colorado. 
Racer registration fees pay for the expenses of the event which include permits, insurance, music licensing, SWAG, port a johns, timing chips, bibs, tents, tables, trucks, generators, arches, signage, sound system, cameras, websites, storage, computers, graphic design tools, food, ice, water, trash and recycling removal.  It also pays for the staffers, police and paramedics who work with all of that equipment on the course and at the expo area on race day. 
Unlike 'charity races' that are run by volunteers (which we think is pretty cool for the races that pull it off well!) 3W pays its professional staff to give racers a professional experience.
("Professional Experience means many things including: we start on time, we tell you what you need to know in advance of the race, we know the answers to your questions, our race directors are certified, we know USATF rules, we use technology to be accurate in our operations and communications, we offer premium, gender specific swag/t shirts featuring the event name and not a host of business logos, we have permission to operate when and where we do, we measure courses to the correct measurements, we offer lively music and announcements appropriate in a family atmosphere, we post finisher times online in real time, we use back up timing systems to catch errors or misreads, and we say please and thank you.) 
And, unlike 'charity races' that receive many of their swag and food items as donations or get reduced fees on city services, 3W pays for the elements of the race.  3W pays for its swag.  (And pays taxes on it.)  3W pays for items you see, eat, hear and keep on race day.  Your race registration fee is how we do it! And for the Great Trailhead Footrace; a large portion of your registration fee goes to Bear Creek Lake Park as an admission fee!

Yes!  We offer a discount for active US Military servicemembers.  Send us your rank and branch to info@3WRaces.com and request a military discount code.  We'll send you a 10% off code that you use on all 3W events throughout the calendar year in which it is requested. (Does not apply to 'packaged or bundled' races or virtual events.)  You'll also receive special use instructions in the email at that time! Note: may be required to show proof at time of packet pick up! 

No, this 5k event does not feature a gear check.  Parking for the event is directly adjacent to the S/F line and expo area.

Can my child participate in the race?

Of course! We love seeing young runners out on the trails!

If your child will be participating, please be sure to register them. This helps us keep everyone safe, maintain accurate participant counts for park permits, and plan for the supplies and materials needed on race day.

A few things to consider before signing up your kiddo: This is a trail race, and our shortest distance is 5 miles. The terrain can be challenging, so strollers are not permitted. All participants, including children, will need to finish within the posted course cutoff times.

There's also a water crossing along the course without a lifeguard on duty. We encourage parents and guardians to consider their child's comfort, experience and abilities when deciding whether this adventure is a good fit. Children should have appropriate adult supervision throughout the race.

We'd love to have your family join us for a fun day on the trails!

We measure each of our courses using both a Jones Counter (USATF standard) and a bicycle computer.  When doing so, we cut each tangent as much as possible.  When a GPS device pings back and forth to the satellite, it struggles with significant elevation shifts and multiple turns.  So, it is likely that in a course with a lot of hills and or turns, your GPS may read SHORT of the actual distance.  In a relatively flat course, oftentimes a GPS device will read LONG as you may have weaved around other runners or made wider turns than the shortest tangents.

We've found some apps/wearable devices that tend to be more accurate than others when it comes to tracking your distance! Garmin brand GPS watches have received the most accurate reviews from our staff and ambassadors. Phone-based apps such as Charity Miles and Strava also receive high marks from our group.

Yes, you are welcome to use the aid of hiking poles on this course.  Many racers enjoy their use specifically through the water crossing.  Please make sure to use them safely and keep control of them at all times as to not trip other participants.