Race Discovery
Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon
Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon logo

Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States View on map
Oct 04, 2026 (America/Denver local time)
Running

About this race

🎈 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

Race against the majestic Sandia Mountains and the picturesque Rio Grande River Valley. It's like running through a postcard!

🏃 Choose Your Challenge

Whether you're aiming for a half marathon, a swift 10K, or a fun 5K, we've got the perfect distance for you.

✨ Unique Experience

There's no other race that combines the thrill of running with the magic of hot air balloons. It's a bucket-list-worthy event!

📸 Unforgettable Memories

From the starting gun to the finish line, every moment will be Instagram-worthy and etched in your memory forever.

Don't Wait to Register!

Early birds get the worm... and the perks!

Register Now

✓ Secure your preferred shirt size (late registrants may have limited options) ✓ Guarantee your spot in this popular event ✓ Ensure you receive the standard finisher's medal (late registrants may receive a slightly different but equally awesome design)

Join Us for an Extraordinary Morning Run

Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a first-time 5K-er, the Great Balloon Chase offers an experience you won't find anywhere else. It's more than a race—it's an adventure, a challenge, and a celebration all rolled into one unforgettable event.

Don't miss out on this chance to be part of something truly special. Lace up your shoes, set your sights high, and chase those balloons!

Important Notes

  • • Registration closes when capacity is reached. Early registration is highly recommended to secure your spot and all race perks.
  • • This event is not affiliated with any other hot air balloon event.
  • • While we strive to provide an amazing balloon-viewing experience, please note that the presence of hot air balloons during the race cannot be guaranteed due to weather conditions and other factors beyond our control.
  • • Regardless of balloon activity, we promise an incredible race experience with stunning views and a festive atmosphere!

Join us for this unique destination event that captures the magical spirit of New Mexico's hot air ballooning tradition, combines it with the thrill of running, and showcases the breathtaking beauty of the Land of Enchantment's diverse landscapes!

Pick your distance

Running

Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon

Oct 04, 2026 Half-Marathon 7:00 AM
$145.00
Open

Great Balloon Chase 10K Run

Oct 04, 2026 10K 7:30 AM
$105.00
Open

Great Balloon Chase 5K Run/Walk

Oct 04, 2026 5K 8:00 AM
$95.00
Open

Typical race-day weather

Based on 8 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Albuquerque, plus the 3 days either side.

Temp (°C)
Minimum temperature (race-week average) 11.5° / Maximum temperature (race-week average) 23.8°
Feels Like (°C)
Minimum feels like — heat index / wind chill (race-week average) 10.6° / Maximum feels like — heat index / wind chill (race-week average) 23.8°
Peak wind (km/h)
Strongest wind of the day (race-week average)
18.6
Precip (mm)
Precipitation over the day (race-week average)
1.4mm
Humidity
Mean relative humidity (race-week average)
43.2%
Sunrise
Sunrise at the start line on October 4, 2026 (MDT)
Sunset
Sunset at the start line on October 4, 2026 (MDT)
Daylight
Hours between sunrise and sunset on race day
11h 42m

The sun rises at 7:03 AM and sets at 6:46 PM local time (MDT) in Albuquerque on October 4, 2026 — 11h 42m of daylight.

Course

No course map published yet.

The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.

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Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.

  • Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
  • Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
  • Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
  • Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 74 Albuquerque events

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