The Race
Welcome to the 54th running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon, presented by Fort Collins Connexion. Your race will take you on a scenic point-to-point journey from Hughes Stadium, the former home of the CSU Rams, to the finish line party at New Belgium Brewery. On the way you'll tackle the challenging hills of Centennial Drive along the shorelines of the shimmering Horsetooth Reservoir, before you head for the famed finish line party on the downhill Poudre River recreation trail. Whether an elite runner or a first time half marathoner, the race offers a challenging yet surprisingly fast course, with a net loss in elevation.
- Date: Sunday April 18, 2027
- Start Time: 8:00 AM
- Distance: 13.1 miles with +917 ft / -1,154 ft of elevation change (net 237 ft loss)
- Point-to-Point Course: Dixon Canyon Dr to New Belgium Brewing
- Packet Pick-up: Saturday, April 17, 2027 from Noon-6pm at the Raintree Athletic Club & from 6:30-7:45am race morning south of Maxwell Natural Area on Dixon Canyon Dr
- Cash Purse: $12,000
- Parking: Holiday Twin Drive-In
Course Description
The Horestooth Half Marathon Presented by Fort Collins Connexion course offers stunning views of the Fort Collins skyline between the iconic peaks of Horsetooth Mountain and Arthur’s Rock. The opening five miles of the course will deliver these views across azure waters as you make your way along the eastern shoreline of Horsetooth Reservoir on the hills of Centennial Drive.
The start of the race begins at 5,195 feet above sea level and takes runners on a nearly 500-ft. climb to the top of “Monster Mountain” at mile 1.7. After the big opening climb, the course follows the eastern shoreline of Horsetooth Reservoir, rolling past the ‘A’ Hill and North Dam Hill (5,579′) on a net downhill trajectory. Runners begin their eastward journey to the finish at New Belgium Brewing with the final climb of the course over Bingham Hill (5,252′).
After climbing Bingham Hill it is all downhill along the Cache la Poudre recreational trail into The New Belgium Finish Line Party and post-race expo in Old Town Fort Collins. The party includes free New Belgium beer for those over 21, post-race food, raucous live music and giveaways at the sponsor expo and awards ceremony. Once you’ve had your fill, jump on a free shuttle bus back to the Holiday Twin Drive-In to pick up your car.
Aid Stations
Aid stations will be stocked with water and sports drink. Later aid stations will have a selection of gels. First-aid kits and a porta-potty will also be available at all aid stations. There will be a total 5 aid stations along the course, located at:
- Mile 2.8 (Mid-Reservoir)
- Mile 4.8 (Reservoir Ridge Trailhead)
- Mile 8.5 (Lyons Park on Overland Trail)
- Mile 10.3 (Taft Hill Road Crossing)
- Mile 12.1 (‘One To Go’ at Lee Martinez Park)
Time Cutoffs
Runners have a total of four hours to complete the course. This is an average pace of 18:20 per mile.
Pace Groups
The members of this year’s Pace Team are all Horsetooth Half veterans and members of the Fort Collins Running Club. If you are looking to achieve a particular goal time, you will be in good hands. Our pacers will be using mile-by-mile splits from the chart linked below.
Check out our Horsetooth Half Pacing Chart.
Weather
April weather on Colorado’s Front Range can be somewhat unpredictable. Typically, you can expect morning lows in the mid 30s and daytime highs in the 60s. Some years have seen snow, some years have seen temperatures in the 80s. Fort Collins averages 300 days of sunshine a year. Expect blue skies, but come prepared for anything.
