Manitou Events

Oct 10, 2026

Manitou 5K

Presented by Manitou Springs School District 14 at Fields Park Manitou Springs, CO

Run, Walk, and Party in the Park: 2nd Annual Manitou 5K! Celebrate the natural and artistic beauty of Manitou Springs! Manitou Springs, CO - Get ready for a morning of fun, fitness, and community celebration at the 2nd annual Manitou 5K Run and Walk. This 5K isn’t just a race—it’s a community celebration! Organized by Manitou Springs High School Cross Country team, it brings running to the community! Why It Matters: The Manitou 5K offers a chance to get active, support local schools, and enjoy the best of Manitou Springs. All proceeds will benefit Manitou Springs School District, directly impacting our students. This event also showcases the power of community collaboration, involving local businesses, advisory boards and the city! “We’re excited to bring the community together for a day of fun and fitness,” said Cassandra Bresnahan, Manitou 5K organizer. “This race is about celebrating everything that makes Manitou Springs special—our people, our environment, and our vibrant local culture.” After the Race: Party in the Park! The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line! Join us at Fields Park for a post-race party featuring: Live announcers and music. Delicious snacks provided by Manitou Springs Elementary School. High school club booth. Games and more! Whether you're a runner, walker, or just here for the festivities, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our schools and connect with the community in a meaningful way. Let’s come together to celebrate Manitou Springs—one step at a time, followed by a party in…

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Oct 24, 2026

32nd Annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races

Presented by Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitor's Bureau & Office of Economic Development at Downtown Manitou Springs Manitou Springs, CO

Celebrate 32 years of racing at the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs! In 1995, the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce launched the nation’s first ever coffin races to honor a beloved local resident, Emma Crawford. What began as a tribute has grown into a signature Manitou Springs tradition—which has inspired other coffin races across the country! The story dates back to 1889, when Emma Crawford arrived in Manitou Springs seeking relief from tuberculosis in the town’s famed mineral springs, fresh mountain air, and sunshine. Defying those who said she was too ill, she summited Red Mountain and tied her red scarf at the peak—later asking to be laid to rest there, forever overlooking the charming mountain community she had come to love. After her passing in 1891, her fiancé, Wilhelm Hildenbrand—a civil engineer with the Pikes Peak Cog Railway—fulfilled her final wish. Joined by 11 townspeople, he carried her coffin up the 7,200-foot slope to a gravesite near the summit. Decades later, in 1929, years of severe winters and heavy spring rains sent Emma’s coffin sliding down the mountainside. When local children discovered the remains, only the casket handles, a nameplate, and a few bones remained—cementing a legend that continues to inspire the annual races today. This calendar listing is brought to you by Peak Radar, the Pikes Peak region's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.

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