2021 Up in Hot Air

Thankyou to all the participants, volunteers and finishers!

Event Photos (2021) 
Release on Wednesday

Event Countdown

0 Days
9 Hours
59 Minutes
59 Seconds

RaceNM presents the Great Balloon Chase ½ Marathon and 5k. Experience the excitement and beauty of a morning run as you witness hot air balloons from the world’s largest hot air ballooning event take to the sky backdropped against the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande River Valley. There is no other destination race like this!

Included with race registration:
Balloon Fiesta General Admission Ticket
Great Balloon Chase Event Tech Shirt
Great Balloon Chase Balloon Medal 

2021 Packet Pickup Info 

Day 1 Packet Pickup

October 1, 2021
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM


Sport Systems

6915 Montgomery Blvd
Albuquerque, NM 87109


Day 2 Packet Pick

October 2, 2021
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Los Poblanos Fields Open Space
6000-6018 Los Poblanos Field Trails
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Race Day Packet Pick

October 3, 2021
5:00 AM - 7:00 AM

Los Poblanos Fields Open Space
6000-6018 Los Poblanos Field Trails Albuquerque, NM 87107

2021 Race Day Schedule

Half Marathon

06:00 - Registration Closes
06:45 - Safety Brief
06:55 - Runner Ready
07:00 - Race Starts

10K Walk/Run

06:00 - Registration Closes
07:15 - Safety Brief
07:25 - Runner Ready
07:30- Race Star

5K Walk/Run

06:00 - Registration Closes
07:45 - Safety Brief
07:55 - Runner Ready
08:00- Race Starts

Half Marathon
Aid Stations at Mile 3.5, 7, 11

10K Walk/Run
Aid Station at Mile 3.5 & 4.5