Sat, Jan 30, 2027

Rio Frio 5k

Alamosa, CO

Registration openAnnual since at least 2019

Entry is $20 now and rises to $25 after Dec 1, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

About the Rio Frio 5k

The course runs on the frozen Rio Grande, with a thin layer of snow underfoot for grip. Mountain ranges rise to both the east and west, visible the whole way from the flat river ice. If the river ice is not safe, the backup route uses a large park pond and a nearby levee trail, so either way you are running on ice and snow in open country.

Packet pickup happens the evening before at a local bar and grill, and again on race morning at a senior center near the start. Footwear matters here: microspikes over running shoes are recommended, though hikers and boots with extra tread work too. The race is chip-timed, and awards have an ice theme to match the course.

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Rio Frio 5k 2026 Results

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K Results · 2026

175finishers

19:10winner

33:57median

1:05:36cutoff

Top 3: MADS KREUTZER (19:10) · JOAQUIN HERRERA (19:19) · JAYCE JOHNSON (19:53)

The Rio Frio 5k has been held every year since at least 2019. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 18, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K1/30/2027 10:00$20

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.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Rio Frio 5k

Will I finish last at the Rio Frio 5k?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 33:57, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:05:36, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Rio Frio 5k a good first 5K?

It is a small race (175 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Rio Frio 5k?

The 5K winner ran 19:10 while the median finisher took 33:57. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.

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