708 Lodgepole Dr, Bellvue CO
Saturday, September 12th, 2026
🏃♂️ Race Overview
The Black Squirrel Half Marathon will take place on the wonderful trails of Lory State Park to the northeast of Fort Collins, Colorado.
The half marathon course offers a tour of the outer boundaries of Lory State Park, providing breathtaking views to the south and east of Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, and the Great Plains: and to the West of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain swell.
The race covers a variety of terrain, all of which is runnable although technical in places. After a mile of dirt roads, the course ascends a little under four miles and 1,500 feet to the apex at 7,000 feet on Lory’s west ridge. The views are well worth the climb. A bomber descent follows, leaving three and a half miles of beautiful, gently rolling hardpacked singletrack into the finish.
Our aim is to offer a trail running experience that is challenging, yet accessible to all.
📍 Race Details
- Start: Lory State Park, Bellvue, Colorado
- Distance: 13.5 miles with ~2,000' of vertical gain/descent.
- Kids: 1 mile on gently rolling singletrack.
- Date: September 12, 2026
🌄 Course & Aid Stations
A map of the Lory trails is available here.
- Minimum Elevation: 5,400'
- Maximum Elevation: 7,000'
- Average Elevation: 6,100'
- Terrain: 12 miles dirt singletrack, 1 mile dirt road
🔗 Registration
Fees for the 2026 Black Squirrel Trail Half Marathon are as follows:
- Dec 15 – February 28: $90 + $6.40 fee
- March 1 – May 31: $100 + $7.00 fee
- June 1 – Sep 4: $110 + $7.40 fee
- Packet Pickup: $125
🥞 Post-Race Festivities
Join us for a post-race pancake breakfast featuring vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and non-alcoholic options as part of our standard race fare.
📝 Policies
Transfer Credit Policy
If you are not able to race, we will be able to offer a race transfer credit that can be applied to any future Gnar Runners race (valid for 12 months). Credit deadlines are as follows:
- Until March 31: 100% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).
- April 1 - June 30: 75% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).
- July 1 - September 3: 50% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).
🕒 Schedule
Friday 9/11:
- 4:00-7:00p: Optional packet pick-up at Altitude Running
Saturday 9/12:
- 5:30-6:45a: Race Day Packet Pickup
- 7:00a: Race Start
- 8:30a: First Finishers Expected
- 10:30a: Kids Race
- 12:30p: Race Cut-Off
🚗 Parking & Directions
Parking for runners will be available at the Soldier Canyon Picnic Area in Lory State Park beginning at 5:30 a.m.
Driving Directions:
708 Lodgepole Dr, Bellvue, Colorado 80512
🔒 Rules
- The race will be limited to 5.5 hours and will end at 12:30pm. If a runner reaches Arthur's West Aid (mile 8.5) past 4.5 hours elapsed, they may be offered a ride to the finish.
- Please make sure that your bib number is visible from the front.
- Purposeful littering is prohibited and will result in disqualification.
- Stay on the trail. No bushwhacking or short cutting.
For further details and updates, visit our race page at Black Squirrel Half Marathon.
