About the Balloon Run
The course runs along the Rio Grande with hot air balloons drifting overhead, which makes for a genuinely unusual backdrop. The race starts and finishes at a school near the river, and the surroundings are open and scenic rather than urban. Several distance options let you choose how hard you want to work that morning, from a short loop to something that will take a real effort.
Post-race there are snacks and drinks at the finish. A costume contest runs alongside the timed event, and overall and age group awards round out the morning. The start also features a warmup led by an Olympian, which is a detail you do not see at most local races.
Free race emails
Get the Weekly RunSesh
In for this one or still deciding, keep race season near Albuquerque on your radar: a Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of the weekend's races.
Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Distances & Start Times
13.1 Miles10/3/2026 07:00$95
10 Miles10/3/2026 07:15$90
5K10/3/2026 07:30$55
Going for a Time?
Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.
Where to Stay
Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Albuquerque — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.
The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.
