Trailrace logo
Find your race Upcoming Find a Qualifier
Search Dashboard Saved Races Calendar
Trailrace logo

Helping the trail running community discover, plan for, and thrive at the world's best trail races.

Find Races

  • Search all trail races
  • Explore collections
  • Race series
  • Race qualifiers

Races by Location

  • Colorado trail races
  • California trail races
  • Utah trail races
  • Arizona trail races
  • Washington trail races
  • All US trail races

Lottery Odds

  • Western States 100
  • Hardrock 100
  • High Lonesome 100
  • UTMB
  • All calculators

Company

  • About
  • Roadmap
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy

Feedback

  • Send Feedback
  • Feature Requests
  • Report a Bug

© 2026 Trailrace.co. All rights reserved.

Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon

  1. Gnar Runners
  2. 2026 Edition

Run epic Front Range singletrack from Horsetooth to Devil’s Backbone, then celebrate with post-race BBQ and giveaways.

Directions
DeadlineOctober 17, 2026
Register

Frequently asked questions

When is Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon?

Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon takes place on October 17, 2026 in Fort Collins, CO.

How long is Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon?

Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon is 13.5 miles with 1,650 ft of elevation gain.

Does Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon have a lottery?

No — Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon uses open registration; no lottery is required.

Is crew allowed at Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon?

Yes, crew is allowed at Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon. Sign in to Trailrace to see crew access for each aid station.

Are pacers allowed at Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon?

No, pacers are not allowed at Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon.

Are drop bags allowed at Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon?

Yes, Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon allows drop bags.

How many aid stations does Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon have?

Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon has 4 aid stations along the course.

What is the cutoff time for Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon?

The overall cutoff for Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon is 6h. Per-aid-station cutoffs are available to signed-in Trailrace members.

Nearby races

Other trail races within 46 miles

Blue Sky Trail Marathon

Blue Sky Trail Marathon

Marathon
Fort Collins, CO, US
Oct 17, 2026
26.7 miles
8,890 ft gain
Lollipop
Crew
Dropbags
Quad Rock 50 Mile

Quad Rock 50 Mile

50 Mile
Bellvue, CO, US
May 9, 2026
50 miles
11,000 ft gain
Multiple Loops
Crew
Dropbags
5 mi away
Black Squirrel Half Marathon

Black Squirrel Half Marathon

Half Marathon
Bellvue, CO, US
Sep 12, 2026
12.66 miles
1,950 ft gain
Loop
Crew
Dropbags
7 mi away
Estes Epic Heavy Half

Estes Epic Heavy Half

25K
Estes Park, CO, US
Sep 27, 2026
14.98 miles
1,880 ft gain
Out and Back
21 mi away
Red Feather Trail Jamboree 50 Mile

Red Feather Trail Jamboree 50 Mile

50 Mile
Red Feather Lakes, CO, US
Sep 25, 2026
49.9 miles
8,120 ft gain
Loop
Crew
Dropbags
24 mi away
Samson's Revenge 10K

Samson's Revenge 10K

10K
Estes Park, CO, US
May 23, 2026
6.21 miles
1,200 ft gain
Loop
26 mi away
Never Summer 100K

Never Summer 100K

100K
Gould, CO, US
Jul 25, 2026
65.7 miles
14,830 ft gain
Loop
Crew
Pacers
Dropbags
45 mi away
Barr Lake Trail Race 50K

Barr Lake Trail Race 50K

50K
Brighton, CO, US
Jun 13, 2026
31.6 miles
90 ft gain
Multiple Loops
Crew
Dropbags
46 mi away
All trail races in Colorado→
October 17, 2026
Saturday 7:00am MDT start
Fort Collins, CO
United States
13.5 miles
Lollipop Course
1,650 ft
Elevation Gain
Historical weather
40°F / 65°FLo/Hi Temp
34°F / 58°FFeels Like
29%Cloud Cover
0% (0.00 in)Precipitation
10 mphWind Speed
51%Humidity
7:13 AMSunrise
6:18 PMSunset
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Links
Website

What Makes It Great

Welcome to the Blue Sky Trail Marathon & Half, Fort Collins's original and only trail marathon. Taking place on the trails between Horsetooth Mountain Park and the Devil's Backbone Open Space, the course takes you on a north-south tour of the easternmost hogbacks of Northern Colorado's mighty Front Range. The marathon boasts 3,500 feet of elevation gain/loss, while the half marathon checks in at 1,800 feet, and the route offers a little bit of something for everyone. It is designed to appeal to both veteran trail runners and those looking to experience their first trail racing adventure. The generous nine hour cut-off should ensure a successful day for everyone. The course is 100% dirt and 90% sweet Colorado singletrack. The terrain ranges in difficulty from smooth dirt trail to technical rock gardens. A small portion of the route is on smooth dirt road (no motor vehicle access) and gravel bike path, with the meat of the running done on the beautiful and distinctive redstone hardpack of the Blue Sky Trail. After the race, kick back and enjoy the always-popular barbecue and generous sponsor giveaways.

Difficulty

Technical Terrain
Steep Climbing
Variable Weather
Sun Exposure

Race Highlights

90% singletrack on redstone hardpack
The iconic Blue Sky Trail features distinctive red hardpack singletrack that gives the course its character
Finish line meal + generous sponsor giveaway
Post-race hot meal with vegetarian/vegan/GF options and a notable community celebration atmosphere

Finish Awards

Finisher Award
All runners finishing within the official cutoff receive a unique finisher's award

Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon

Fort Collins, CO, United StatesOctober 17, 2026

October 17, 2026
Course map for Blue Sky Trail Half Marathon
DistDistance13.5 mi
GainElevation Gain1,650 ft
LimitCutoff6 h
Steep ClimbingVariable WeatherSun Exposure

Entry Timeline

Race DayRegistration DeadlineOctober 17, 2026

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.
13.5 mi
Distance
Lollipop
Route
6h
Cutoff Time
5,564 ft
Average Elevation
1,650 ft
Total Ascent
1,650 ft
Total Descent
5,814 ft
High Point
5,427 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
South Bay
Start
0.05,436 ft
Underpass Aid
Aid Station
1.95,476 ft
Indian Summer North
Aid Station
5.45,492 ft
Indian Summer North
Aid Station
8.15,502 ft
Underpass Aid
Aid Station
11.65,476 ft
South Bay
Finish
13.55,436 ft

Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

No crew rules specified

Daylight
11h 5m
7:13 AM6:18 PM
65°F / 40°F
Feels like 58°F / 34°F
Temperature Hi/Lo
0% (0.00 in)
Precipitation
10 mph
Wind
51%
Humidity
29%
Cloud Cover
Based on historical averages for October 17

Gear Rules

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Videos from other Blue Sky events

Blue Sky Trail Marathon, Race Nutrition, and Magic | Training for Black Canyon 100K Ultra Marathon
Blue Sky Trail Marathon, Race Nutrition, and Magic | Training for Black Canyon 100K Ultra Marathon
Blue Sky Trail Marathon
Serious Runner•2020

Reviews

to write a review.

No reviews for this event yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Register•October 17, 2026