Black Squirrel Half
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Black Squirrel Half
The Black Squirrel Trail Half Marathon takes place on the trails of Lory State Park northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado. The course runs around the park perimeter and provides views to the east of Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins and the Great Plains, and to the west of the Rocky Mountain peaks.
The race distance is 13.5 miles with about 2,000 feet of total vertical gain and descent. The surface is primarily dirt singletrack with one mile of dirt road; listed terrain totals are 12 miles singletrack and 1 mile road. The start and finish are at the Soldier Canyon Picnic Area. Course high and low elevations are approximately 7,000 feet and 5,400 feet, with an average elevation near 6,100 feet. Between mile two and mile six runners climb about 1,500 feet to the course apex on the west ridge, followed by a rapid, at times technical, descent and then several miles of gently rolling singletrack into the finish.
Support and logistics include well marked trails, multiple aid stations stocked with water and sports drink (one aid station at mile 8.5 offers additional snacks), toilets at trailheads and start/finish, a finish-line pancake breakfast, awards and sponsor giveaways. The event is capped at 400 entrants and has a 5.5 hour time allowance. A free one-mile kids race is offered on gently rolling singletrack. Registration for the 2027 event opens December 15, 2026. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
