Space Race Presented by Spaceport America

The Space Race Presented by Spaceport America is a unique athletic event scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, offering participants the rare opportunity to run on the grounds of the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Located near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, this second annual event features 15K, 10K, and 5K distances set against a backdrop of cutting-edge aerospace infrastructure. As a Mother's Day weekend event, all participating mothers are recognized with flowers at the finish line. The race serves as a high-profile showcase of New Mexico’s role in the commercial space frontier, inviting runners to traverse the same desert basin where companies like Virgin Galactic and SpinLaunch operate.

Truth or Consequences (often abbreviated as T or C) is a historic spa town in Sierra County, New Mexico, with a population of approximately 6,000 residents. Originally named Hot Springs, the town famously changed its name in 1950 as part of a radio show publicity stunt. The demographic profile is approximately 73% White (Non-Hispanic) and 28% Hispanic or Latino, with a small percentage of Indigenous and Black residents. The median household income is roughly $32,000 USD. Spaceport America itself is situated on 18,000 acres of State Trust Land in the Jornada del Muerto basin, a region known for its vast, arid beauty and high-altitude clarity, which makes it ideal for aerospace testing and competitive distance running.

Participants receive a custom-designed Space Race shirt and a finisher's medal upon crossing the line. Awards are presented to the top three overall male and female winners, as well as leaders across ten age categories ranging from "14 and under" to "80 and over." Packet pickup is available on Friday, May 8, at T or C Brewing Co. locations in both Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences, or on-site starting at 7:00 AM on race day. Because the spaceport is a secure facility, online registration is strictly required. Under the coordination of event contact Shane, the Space Race merges the spirit of human exploration with the physical challenge of road racing, offering a perspective of the New Mexico desert rarely seen by the public.