at Garden of the Gods
SAT. AUGUST 13, 2022
The Starlight Spectacular is back!! Join us for a unique nighttime experience in Garden of the Gods. This event is open to cyclists, including e-bikes, runners and walkers and will include both a bike loop and 5K run/walk loop courses (multiple laps optional). This is a truly spectacular event under the stars, where participants put on their favorite glow in the dark gear, light up their bikes and ride or run into the beautiful Colorado night in the Garden of the Gods. Along the way you’ll find “rest stops”, and other random entertainment. A truly one-of-a-kind experience! The park will be closed to vehicular traffic and open (at night!) solely for the Starlight Spectacular.
Schedule of Events:
Registration / Packet Pick up: 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Run/Walk
Pre-event Festivities: 7:30 PM
Best Glow Contest for Runners/Walkers: 8:00 PM
Runners/Walkers start: 8:30 PM
Course closed to Runners/Walkers: 10:00 PM
Bike Ride
Pre-event Festivities: 9:30 PM
Best Glow Contest for Bike Riders: 10:00 PM
Bikes start: 10:30 PM
Course closed to Bikes: 12:15 AM
Event Ends: 12:30 AM
PANCAKES 9:30PM – 12:30AM
Best light display Contest
Live music + Festival Zone
Pancakes!
If you don’t have a bike for the event, you can rent a PikeRide e-bike for just $5!! You will need a helmet.
Online Registration ends Saturday, August 13
If you want to by tickets at the event please plan to arrive by 7:30 PM for run/walk or arrive by 9:15 PM for bike ride.
Please note event t-shirts are no longer available.
Frequently Asked Questions
YES!! All runners/walkers MUST have a flashlight or headlamp and all cyclists MUST have either a bike light or headlamp! We encourage everyone to add lights and get creative! Limited light sales will be available at the event. If you do not have proper light equipment, you will NOT be allowed to participate.
All participants are encouraged to light up the night with glow sticks, lights, glow in the dark apparel, body paint… Decorate yourself, your friends, your family and your bike with anything that glows! We will have a contest before participants enter the Garden to select the people with the Best Glow. We will be giving away 2 Bikes from Ted’s Bike Shop as grand prizes – Giant ATX and Liv Bliss!
Yes, all cyclists are REQUIRED to wear a helmet while riding in the Garden.
YES! PikeRide is partnering with the Trails and Open Space Coalition to make it even easier for you to participate in the Starlight Spectacular in Garden of the Gods! You can now reserve a PikeRide for Starlight for just $5 by clicking here. We’ll make sure a bike is ready and waiting for you at the park on the evening of the ride! Only 30 PikeRides will be on reserve, but you can get a PikeRide bike downtown and fresh batteries will be available at the Visitor Center before you head into the garden!
Yes! You are encouraged to bring your e-bike if you have one. We are also partnering with Pike Ride, you can reserve a PikeRide e-bike for just $5! Only 30 will be available at the Garden, but you can use the same link to get the discount downtown, ride to Visitor Center and get a fully charged battery to use for the event.
When you registered online, you should have chosen one of the following event packet locations:
All event packets will be available starting Saturday, August 6 – Friday, August 12.
*If you register after August 6th, please plan to pick up at the event.
We will have your packet at Night of Registration, upstairs in the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Please come early to get your stuff.
Yes! There are two rest stops along the course that will have snacks available. Also – we will have pancakes starting at 10:00pm until midnight. All free to participants to enjoy!
There are hills, for sure, but this is not considered a “challenging” course. The elevation gain for the loop is approximately 300 feet. After climbing the first hill, you will be rewarded with a fun downhill. Don’t forget to check out the rest stops!
Some of you may be wondering why Starlight is now confined to Garden of the Gods instead of all around downtown Colorado Springs.
The cost of closing the roads and having a large police presents to ensure the safety of riders made it impossible to continue using streets. We also wanted our event to be more mission focused; this event offers a unique opportunity to experience Garden of the Gods Park after hours, without motor vehicles. It also allowed us to invite runners/walkers to join in the fun!
This is Colorado, and weather happens. If the rain is sporadic and isn’t a constant downpour, the event will go on!
If there is a threat of lightning, hail, or other impending doom, we will delay or cancel the event. That decision will
be made as soon as possible that afternoon or evening.
To keep all participants and pets safe, we ask that you leave your animal friends at home.
We thought you’d never ask ☺. Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) works cooperatively with local and regional governments, community organizations, businesses, families and individuals who share the vision of an interconnected network of trails, greenways and open space. We advocate, educate, build connections with other groups, fund projects, and create and support volunteer projects.
For more information, contact aaron@trailsandopenspaces.org

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Event Sponsors & Partners:
Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
Colorado Springs Cycling Club
Colorado Trust
Creative Jake
Criterium Bicycles
Ent Credit Union
Garden of the Gods Visitor Center
Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Old Town Bike Shop
PikeRide
Pikes Peak Heritage Series
Pikes Peak Marathon
SRAM
Visit COS

Events like this do not happen without AMAZING Volunteers!
Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to make this spectacular event possible!! We love our trail community.