RunRace USA › New Mexico › Albuquerque › Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon
Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon
Sunday, October 4, 2026 · Albuquerque, NM
The race in 60 seconds
It is one of 34 races on the New Mexico calendar that October. At $70, entry sits above the $30 median for a New Mexico half marathon.
What race day usually feels like
Based on the last three years, race week in October typically sees lows near 57°F and highs around 81°F: mild at the start, warm by the finish. Weather normals computed from Albuquerque-area conditions for race week, not the nearest big city.
How the field ran it in 2025
Real chip times from the 2025 official results, not estimates. Use the median as your reality check: half the field finished slower than it.
| 2025 Great Balloon Chase 1/2 Marathon · 440 finishers | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1:45:57 | 4:03 /mi |
| Top 25% | 2:08:46 | 4:55 /mi |
| Median finisher | 2:25:46 | 5:34 /mi |
| 75th percentile | 2:54:08 | 6:39 /mi |
| Final finisher | 4:07:10 | 9:26 /mi |
| 2025 Great Balloon Chase 10K Run · 199 finishers | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 43:02 | 6:56 /mi |
| Top 25% | 58:31 | 9:26 /mi |
| Median finisher | 1:09:30 | 11:13 /mi |
| 75th percentile | 1:21:25 | 13:08 /mi |
| Final finisher | 2:00:02 | 19:22 /mi |
| 2025 Great Balloon Chase 5K Run/Walk · 261 finishers | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 21:31 | 6:56 /mi |
| Top 25% | 32:10 | 10:23 /mi |
| Median finisher | 41:31 | 13:24 /mi |
| 75th percentile | 50:29 | 16:17 /mi |
| Final finisher | 1:14:41 | 24:05 /mi |
Official 2025 results via RunSignUp, 900 finishers across 3 events.
Common questions
When is Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon?
Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Where is Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon held?
Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon is held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is about 7 miles from Rio Rancho.
What distances does Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon offer?
The listed distances are Half Marathon, 10K, 5K.
How much does Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon cost?
Entry is listed from $70. Check the official race page for the current price, which usually rises closer to race day.
How do I register for Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon?
Registration is handled on the official race page, linked at the top of this listing. Entry can close early if the race sells out.
More races nearby
- Oct 2, 2026Dash and Drink for Pink 5k and 1 Mile Run/WalkAlbuquerque · 5K, 1 Mile
- Oct 3, 2026Wiener Dog DashAlbuquerque
- Oct 24, 2026Bales Brews and Brats 5kAlbuquerque · 5K
- Jan 1, 2027New Year's Prediction 5k and 1 mile Run/WalkAlbuquerque · 5K, 1 Mile
See every race on the New Mexico calendar, all Albuquerque races, New Mexico Half Marathons, New Mexico 5Ks, or use the Race Finder for maps and filters.
Register for Great Balloon Chase 5K, 10K & 1/2 Marathon →on RunSignUp · entry from $70
Listing data refreshed nightly from the registration platform. Photos via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0). Last template review July 2026. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it fast.