Colorado Springs, CO — The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is excited to announce the dates for the 2026 annual 5K Race Series held in Colorado Springs, Palmer Lake, and Fountain.

Running for over a decade, the YMCA 5k Race Series consists of three races: The Creepy Crawl, The Turkey Trot, and The Jingle Jog. The Halloween-themed Creepy Crawl 5K will be held on the Santa Fe Trail in Palmer Lake on Saturday, October 24; The Turkey Trot 5K, in its 29th year, will be held at the Briargate YMCA on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26; and The Jingle Jog 5K will be held at the Fountain-Fort Carson High School on Saturday, December 12.

Fun for the whole family, the YMCA 5K Race Series draws over 6,000 participants annually and raises funds to ensure that all individuals and families in the Pikes Peak Region can access programs such as child care, swim lessons, and youth sports.

The tradition of the YMCA 5K Race Series continues to grow every year, as does the need for funds required to support families in the Pikes Peak Region. From helping children with swim lessons and learning to be safe around water, attending summer camp, helping parents with much-needed childcare, or assisting aging adults with programs and services, the 5K races are cornerstone fundraising events in our region. We hope you'll join this year in three great races for one great cause.

The YMCA would like to thank this year's Race Series Presenting Sponsor, Corwin Honda of Colorado Springs. Along with 5k Race Series sponsors including Great Clips, Raising Cane’s, T-Fiber, and Fox 21. 

Sponsorships are still available; contact information is below.

Registration is now open for all three races. Don’t miss your chance to save! Sign up for the Race Series Bundle (all three races)  by August 15 to receive our best pricing, earn an exclusive commemorative medal, and join the fun at all three holiday-themed races. Each course is stroller and dog-friendly, and each race has a free kids' fun run. Groups are encouraged, and as usual, so are costumes! To learn more about this year's race series and early bird prices, visit ppymca.org/raceseries.

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PRESS RELEASE

July 13, 2026

Colorado Springs, Colo.  –  Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista) will host its second Breast Cancer Community Resources Fair on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Health Center at Fountain (350 Lyckman Dr., Fountain, CO 80817). The event is free and open to the public.

Event Information

Several partners will join Peak Vista at this event – providing information on free/low-cost breast cancer screenings, preventive care and support services for those living with breast cancer. Guests will have a chance to speak with local providers to learn more about the care in their community and sign up for service onsite. Peak Vista will also offer snacks and games.

Why It Matters

Breast cancer touches nearly every family and community. Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, but early detection can make a profound difference. When breast cancer is found early and remains localized, the five-year relative survival rate is about 99%.

Regular screenings and preventive care are among the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early, yet many people face barriers that prevent them from accessing these lifesaving services or understanding the resources available to them.

The Need in El Paso County

The need is especially important in El Paso County, where only about 74% of age-eligible women are up to date on breast cancer screening according to the Colorado Cancer Coalition – meaning nearly one in four eligible women may be missing recommended screenings. For many, barriers such as cost, transportation, lack of information or uncertainty about insurance coverage can delay preventive care. Nearly 7,000 age-eligible women in the county are uninsured, and many others may not realize that mammograms are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicaid, or that financial assistance and support programs are available.

"Accessing preventive care and breast cancer resources can feel overwhelming, especially when people aren't sure where to turn or face barriers like cost, transportation or limited information,” said Venita Pine, director of grants at Peak Vista. “By bringing together trusted community partners in one place, we're making those resources easier to find and easier to access. We hope this event empowers people with the knowledge, connections and support they need to prioritize their health."

A Community-Based Movement

This event is funded entirely through Legacy Race Battling Breast Cancer (Legacy Race BBC), a local organization supporting individuals in the Pikes Peak region facing breast cancer. Through its annual race, Legacy Race BBC received more than $100,000 in donations. 100% of the donations went back into Southern Colorado organizations – like Peak Vista – to provide breast cancer programs, resources and support to the community.

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PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Service members, Department of War civilians, families, and community members will come together July 16 at 8:30 a.m. for the second annual Forge the Force Fest. The Fest is a community-wide celebration designed to help participants step away from the daily grind, recharge, and reconnect with themselves, their teammates, and their families, building stronger connections and enhancing well-being and readiness.

This choose-your-own-adventure style event offers a unique blend of keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and family-friendly activities, creating a fun, learning, and meaningful environment.

This event will highlight keynote speakers such as retired NASA astronaut Brig. Gen. Andrew Morgan, the first Army Medical Corps officer to travel to space; Robert Irvine, world-class chef, author and philanthropic supporter of the military; and former Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger Towberman.

Throughout the day, participants will be able to engage in diverse programming designed to build practical life skills such as a live cooking demonstration, parenting tips workshop, yoga class, and financial workshops.

The event will also feature a helping agency fair, featuring both on-base and local community partners. From career support and veteran services to family programs and financial assistance, this fair will connect service members with the tools to thrive in and out of uniform.

Media representatives are invited to this innovative approach to military family wellness and support. Interview and b-roll opportunities will be available with SBD 1 leadership, providing authentic insights into military life, resilience strategies, and community support networks available in the Pikes Peak Region.

In order to register for access to the installation, media representatives interested in attending must RSVP to Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs at SBD1.PA@spaceforce.mil Please identify specific names, contact numbers, and emails for media professionals who plan to attend no later than 2 p.m. MST on July 14. Media who have RSVP’d should meet at the Peterson SFB West Gate Visitor Center located at 1334 Stewart Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80914, no later than 8:15 a.m. on the date of the event. From there media will be escorted via government vehicles on base. Due to current base security measures, media who have not RSVP’d will not be granted access.

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