From Horsetooth to Turkey Trots: Fort Collins-area 2024 marathon and race calendar
The sun is rising higher and the weather is warming up.
That's right, racing season has arrived in Fort Collins and won't stop through the rest of 2024.
We know you're gearing up for those spring, summer and fall runs, ramping up the distances and aiming for new personal records.
And if you're looking for more training, the Fort Collins Running Club's yearly marathon training program begins in late June and runs the next 13 Saturdays through September.
Here is a list of 2024 races to run in the Fort Collins area:
Click the links below to explore the races happening each month:
Note: There are some fall/late 2024 races that don't have full details set yet. This calendar will be updated at coloradoan.com/sports. All costs approximate and may change according to registration date.
APRIL
Horsetooth Half Marathon (Fort Collins)
When: Sunday, April 14
Races: Half Marathon only
Course: Runners will start near the Dixon Canyon Dam (near former Hughes Stadium site), run north along Centennial Road/Horsetooth Reservoir until Bellvue and then take the Poudre Trail to the Linden Street finish near New Belgium Brewing. Total elevation change is -237 feet.
Cost: $99-$110
Registration/Info: horsetooth-half.com/registration
GRIT RUN 5K (Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, April 20
Races: 5K
Course: Begins outside Canvas Stadium and runs through CSU's campus before ending inside the stadium.
Cost: $28 for general public and $23 for CSU students
Registration/Info: https://csurams.com/sports/2023/1/26/green-gold-weekend
Earth Day 5K/10K (Loveland)
When: Saturday, April 20
Races: 5K, 10K, Broken 15K, kids 1-mile run
Course: Begins near the UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies along Rocky Mountain Ave and winds around Equalizer and Houts Lakes along the Centerra Trails.
Cost: $35-$60 (senior/youth pricing available, kids race is $5)
Registration/Info: greenevents.raceentry.com/races/loveland-classic/2024/register
Great Western Trail Race (Severance)
When: Saturday, April 20
Races: 5K, 10K, half marathon, kids 1-mile run
Course: An out and back on the crushed gravel path of the new Great Western Trail that connects Severance, Windsor and Eaton, with views of the Rocky Mountains and a start/finish at Severance Community Park.
Cost: $45-80 (kids race is $15)
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Windsor/GreatWesternTrailRace
NoCo Half Marathon (Loveland)
When: Saturday, April 27
Races: Half marathon, 10K
Course: The very flat course is also one of the most compact longer races in the area, with a course that mostly stays on the Boyd Lake State Park paved paths and includes some minor off-road/dirt trail near the south loop.
Cost: $35-$60
Registration/Info: breakawayathleticevents.com/noco-half-marathon
Flying Pig 5K (Fort Collins)
When: Sunday, April 28
Races: 5K only
Course: The course is run almost entirely in Spring Canyon Park, with a starting line on the southwest side of the park. It is a certified course and a qualifying race for the BOLDERBoulder.
Cost: $35-$40
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/FortCollins/2022FlyingPig5K
MAY
Run for the Trees (Loveland)
When: Saturday, May 4
Races: 2-mile run (virtual option available)
Course: The relatively flat race starts at Centennial Park in Loveland and then winds through the roads/trails in and around the lakes at River's Edge Natural Area.
Cost: $20-$25
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Loveland/RunForTheTreesCO
Quad Rock Trail Race (west of Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, May 4
Races: 25- and 50-mile races
Course: This is a trail-running event that runs entirely through Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space west of Horsetooth Reservoir. The start/finish line is near Soldier Canyon, while the routes are very challenging and features heavy elevation gain.
Cost: $145-$165
Registration/Info: gnarrunners.com/quad-rock-50/
New Vision 5K (Loveland)
When: Saturday, May 4
Races: 5K only
Course: This event utilizes a similarly flat route to the Earth Day race, starting across the street from UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies and circling Equalizer and Houts Lakes.
Cost: $25-$35
Registration/Info: raceroster.com/events/2024/85919/new-vision-5k
Colorado Marathon (Fort Collins)
When: Sunday, May 5
Races: Full/half marathons, 10K, 5K
Course: The full and half marathons start in the Poudre Canyon and roll downhill into downtown Fort Collins via the Poudre Trail. The 5K and 10K runs also utilize the Poudre Trail, with the 10K starting at the finish line and the 5K beginning just west of Taft Hill Road along the trail.
Cost: $140-$180 for full/half marathons, $50-$65 for 5K/10K
Registration/Info: comarathon.com
Healing Warriors 5K Fun Run (Fort Collins)
When: Sunday, May 19
Races: 5K only (walking is an option)
Course: The route features two laps through Spring Canyon Park, with the start/finish line near the pavilions on the west side of the park. There is little elevation change on this course.
Cost: $40-$45
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/FortCollins/HealingWarriors5KFunRun
JUNE
Fire Hydrant 5K (Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, June 1
Races: 5K competitive, 5K fun, 5K walk
Course: The races wind through Spring Canyon Park, briefly joining the Spring Creek Trail before looping back toward the park and the finish near the pavilions on the northwest side.
Cost: $20-$30
Registration/Info: register.nocohumane.org/event/2024-fire-hydrant-5k/e497081
Step Up for Women and Recovery 5K (Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, June 1
Races: 5K run/walk (virtual option available)
Course: The route primarily consists of the paths running through Fossil Creek Park in south Fort Collins.
Cost: $40-$50
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/Events/CO/FortCollins/StepUpForRecovery
Crazy Legs 10K (Loveland)
When: Sunday, June 2
Races: 10K only
Course: The race starts on Hidden Valley Drive near the Devil's Backbone Trailhead and is an out-and-back run that utilizes most of the available trails at Devil's Backbone Open Space.
Cost: $65
Registration/Info: raceroster.com/events/2024/77354/crazy-legs-10k-trail-run
Running for Hope (Loveland)
When: Saturday, June 15
Races: 5K run and half mile walk
Course: This event has a similarly flat route to the Earth Day and NewVision 5K races, starting across the street from UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies and circling Equalizer and Houts Lakes in Loveland.
Cost: TBD
Registration/Info: raceroster.com/events/2024/87757/running-for-hope-5k
Sierra's Race 5K (Loveland)
When: Saturday, June 15
Races: 5K, kids fun run
Course: The course begins at Foundations Church in Loveland and remains relatively flat through the Boyd Lake area.
Cost: $10-$35
Registration/Info: sierrasraceagainstmeningitis.com/
Red White and Brew Run (Windsor)
When: Saturday, June 22
Races: 5K, 10K, half marathon, 12-hour "last man standing" race, kids fun run, 5K/10K rucks
Course: The race starts and ends at the new Hoedown Hill in Windsor. The courses will run along the nearby golf course, the Poudre Trail, New Liberty Road, 7th Street and Eastman Park in south Windsor. See the link for more details on each route.
Cost: $45-$115 (kids run is $15)
Registration/Info: windsorbrewrace.com/
Timberview Trail Run (west of Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, June 29
Races: 5K, 5 miles, 10 miles
Course: This is a trail-running event that starts at the Soldier Canyon site and proceeds through much of the Lory State Park trails just west of Horsetooth Reservoir. This is a challenging run with frequent changes in elevation.
Cost: $30-$70
Registration/Info: breakawayathleticevents.com/timberview-trail-run/
JULY
Loveland Liberty 5K (Loveland)
When: Thursday, July 4
Races: 5K, virtual 5K
Course: The race starts at Fairgrounds Park and winds through and around the lakes at River's Edge Natural Area with a mix of road and trail for the course.
Cost: $35-$40
Registration/Info: sweetheartcityracing.com/events/loveland-liberty
FireKracker 5K (Fort Collins)
When: Thursday, July 4
Races: Citizens 5K run/walk, elite 5K, kids 1-mile
Course: The route for all three events runs entirely in and around City Park, with the courses winding around Sheldon Lake as the focal point.
Cost: $35-$55 (youth/senior pricing available, kids race is $10-$12)
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/FortCollins/FireKracker
AUGUST
Lory Summer Trail Series (west of Fort Collins)
When: Tuesdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27
Races: Two 5Ks, one 10K, one 12K
Course: This is a series of shorter, faster trail runs designed to welcome newer runners and sharpen training for experienced ones with four summer runs through Lory State Park. Elevation gains range from 250 feet to over 1,000 feet.
Cost: $25-$30 per race, or $80-$100 for the whole series
Registration/Info: gnarrunners.com/summer-trail-series/
Choice City Running Festival (Fort Collins)
When: Friday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 10
Races: Human Race half marathon, Human Race 10K and 5K, Jane Welzel Mountain Avenue Mile
Course: The three longer races will all start at Civic Center Park in downtown Fort Collins. The 5K will head west down Mountain Ave before U-turning back. The 10K follows a similar westward path along Mountain but continues north at its end, hitting the Poudre Trail and returning to the start. The half marathon follows the 10K route but continues south along the Poudre Trail until Timberline before retracing back to downtown. The Mountain Avenue Mile is a straight shot east from north of City Park to the Mountain/Howes intersection.
Cost: $25-$80
Registration/Info: choicecityrunning.com/
Valley 5000 (Loveland)
When: Saturday, Aug. 17
Races: 5K, 1-mile (virtual options available)
Course: This 5K course also starts and finishes in Loveland's Mehaffey Park. After the start, runners head west and then south along the Meadowbrook Natural Area and then east along the Louden Ditch before heading north and returning to the park. The 1-mile race starts at the Rio Blanco Avenue/29th Street intersection and travels south and then east around the park before reaching the finish line.
Cost: $20-$50
Registration/Info: sweetheartcityracing.com/events/valley-5000
Severance Days 5K
When: Saturday, Aug. 24
Races: 5K, Kids Fun Run
Course: The new 2024 5k course will begin at the west baseball field at the Severance Community park, It will follow the new Great Western Trail and down Ponderosa Drive to Rangeview Elementary School and back to the Community Park.
Cost: $35-45 (kids run is $15)
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Severance/SeveranceDays5k
SEPTEMBER
Black Squirrel Half (west of Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, Sept. 7
Races: Half marathon (trail running)
Course: This intense trail-running race starts and ends at Soldier Canyon picnic area and spans much of the perimeter of Lory State Park, with steep uphills early, a sharp descent in the middle near the Arthur's Rock area and rolling terrain for the final several miles.
Cost: $95-$115
Registration/Info: gnarrunners.com/black-squirrel-half/
Fall Equinox Marathon (west of Fort Collins)
When: Marathon, half marathon, 5-mile (virtual options available)
Races: Sunday, Sept. 22
Course: All three events run through the Poudre Canyon. The marathon starts west of Pingree Park at Ohana Mountain Ranch, the half marathon begins at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre and the 5-mile run takes off from Gateway Natural Area, with each ending at the bottom of the canyon (a half mile west of Ted's Place on U.S. Highway 287).
Cost: $65-$140 (virtual races are $60)
Registration/Info: equinoxraces.com/race-info/
OCTOBER
Red Feather Trail Jamboree (Red Feather Lakes)
When: Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 22
Races: Half marathon, 50K, 50 miles
Course: The trail-running courses overlap along the trails south and west of Red Feather Lakes, spanning parts of the Lady Moon, Elkhorn Creek, Granite Ridge and Deadman trailheads. Much of the race route cuts through private land of the Ben Delatour Scout Camp and surrounding national forest.
Cost: $90-$160
Registration/Info: gnarrunners.com/red-feather/
Long View Marathon (Fort Collins/Loveland)
When: Saturday, Oct. 12
Races: 5K, half marathon, full marathon
Course: The marathon course begins at EPIC in Fort Collins. It follows the Spring Creek Trail west to Spring Canyon Park before moving south along the Fossil Creek and Long View trails, eventually joining Loveland's Recreation Trail and finishing at Fairgrounds Park in south Loveland. The half marathon starts at Fossil Creek Park in south Fort Collins and follows the same route as the marathon from there, also ending at Fairgrounds.
Cost: $35-$110
Registration/Info: longviewmarathon.com/
Windsor Marathon (Windsor)
When: Sunday, Oct. 6
Races: Full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, kids fun run
Course: All four events begin and end at the Island at Pelican Lakes. The marathon winds through the Pelican Lakes area before traversing much of south and west Windsor, including a lengthy portion along the Poudre River Trail. The half marathon has a similar route but does not go west of Colorado Boulevard/Weld County Road 13. Visit the link below for more course info.
Cost: $50-$140 (kids race is $15)
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Windsor/WindsorColoradoRace
Blue Sky Trail Marathon (Fort Collins/Loveland foothills)
When: Saturday, Oct. 19
Races: Half marathon, full marathon
Course: This is another intense trail-running course that traverses the Fort Collins/Loveland areas in the foothills. The 26.7-mile marathon+ run starts and ends at Blue Sky Trailhead west of Fort Collins. Runners head north into Lory State Park before looping back down toward the starting line. The run then continues south to Devil's Backbone before U-turning back toward the finish line.
Cost: $100-$120
Registration/Info: gnarrunners.com/blue-sky-marathon/
Narrowleaf Lake Run (Loveland)
When: Sunday, Oct. 13
Races: 4-, 7- or 10-mile options, plus 1-mile Pumpkin Run and kids fun run (1/2 or full mile)
Course: This race involves a simple route that follows the trails west of Boyd Lake in Loveland through the state park area. It's an out-and-back course that goes north from the starting line, as runners turn around at various aid stations depending on their distance preference.
Cost: $25-$45
Registration/Info: https://breakawayathleticevents.com/narrowleaf-lake-run/
NOVEMBER
Colorado 24 Hour Run (Fort Collins)
When: Saturday, Nov. 2
Races: 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours
Course: This is for the hardcore runners, with starting times every six hours over the course of 24 hours. The course is at the Swift Ponds Campus of Colorado Youth Outdoors, directly east of Interstate 25 and south of Kechter Road. It is a continuous 1-mile loop with "zero" elevation change.
Cost: $90-$200
Registration/Info: gnarrunners.com/colorado-24-hour-run/
Bell Ringer 4 Miler (Loveland)
When: Saturday, Nov. 2
Races: 4-mile run (virtual option available), 4-mile ruck
Course: The annual event rings the bells to honor veterans and begins at North Lake Park just west of Loveland High School before running along the roads around the entirety of Lake Loveland.
Cost: $40-$55
Registration/Info: sweetheartcityracing.com/events/bell-ringer-4-miler
Thanksgiving Day Run (Fort Collins)
More information coming when event details are finalized.
Pelican Lakes Turkey Trot (Windsor)
When: Thursday, Nov. 28
Races: 5K walk, 5K run, youth 5K
Course: The runs begin at Pelican Lakes Golf Course and is a relatively flat course that moves through the surrounding neighborhood, along the course, near the lakes and briefly with the Poudre Trail.
Cost: $35-$45 (kids run is $25)
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Windsor/PelicanLakesTurkeyTrot
Huffin for Stuffin 2-mile Fun Run (Loveland)
When: Thursday, Nov. 28
Races: 2-mile fun run (virtual option available)
Course: The race is a relatively flat one (perfect for a Thanksgiving race), starting in Mehaffey Park in west Loveland and running through the park's various trails.
Cost: $20
Registration/Info: runsignup.com/Race/CO/Loveland/HuffinforStuffin2MileFunRun
DECEMBER
Toy Drop (Loveland)
When: Saturday, Dec. 7
Races: 5K, 10K, 15K
Course: The races will start near Berthoud Brewing and encompass several different routes through west Loveland, including near the Big Thompson River, Mariana Butte Golf Course and Mehaffey Park.
Cost: $30-$75
Registration/Info: sweetheartcityracing.com/events/toy-drop-5k-and-10k
Santa Catch 5K & 10K (Windsor)
When: Saturday, Dec. 14
Races: 5K, 10K, 1-mile kids run
Course: The races start at the Power 2 Play sports facility in west Windsor before running through the neighborhoods surrounding Highland Meadows Golf Course. While not in the mountains or foothills, there is some modest elevation gain on this route.
Cost: $35-$65 (kids run is $15)
Registration/Info: santacatchrace.com/Race/CO/Windsor/SantaCatch5K
Resolution Run (Fort Collins)
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Races: 5K
Course: A rare night race that runs after sunset on New Year's Eve. The course starts and ends at Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC) and runs on both dedicated Edora Park paths and nearby Parkwood/Stonehenge neighborhood streets.
Cost: $25-30 (Registration doesn't open until after Halloween)
Registration/Info: resolutionrunfc.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins running: 2024 marathons, race calendar