Black Squirrel Half

Black Squirrel Half Marathon

The Black Squirrel Half Marathon takes place on the trail system of Lory State Park, located northeast of Fort Collins, Colorado. The course provides a tour of the park's outer boundaries, offering views of Horsetooth Reservoir, the Great Plains, and the Rocky Mountains.

The event features a 13.5 mile course with approximately 2,000 feet of vertical gain and descent. The terrain consists of 12 miles of dirt singletrack and one mile of dirt road. Runners reach a maximum elevation of 7,000 feet at the apex of Lory’s west ridge. The course is technical in sections but remains runnable, beginning with a mile of dirt road before ascending nearly four miles to the ridge. This is followed by a descent and three and a half miles of gently rolling hardpacked singletrack.

Available distances:

• 13.5 miles (Half Marathon)
• 1 mile (Free kids race)

The race has a registration cap of 400 participants and a total time allowance of 5.5 hours. Three aid stations are located along the route at miles 4.5, 8.5, and 11.0, stocked with water and sports drinks. The station at mile 8.5 also provides fruit and chips. Participants receive a gender-specific T-shirt, a pint glass finisher award, and a post-race pancake breakfast with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Registration includes free entry to Lory State Park for the race day. Parking is available at the Soldier Canyon Picnic Area, with priority given to carpools. All participants are required to carry a minimum 16oz water bottle as the aid stations do not provide cups. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.