Half Marathon Course Description
The Blue Sky Half Marathon will start and end at the Blue Sky Trailhead at Horsetooth Mountain Park in Fort Collins, CO. The route will run out and back along the Blue Sky Trail and around the Indian Summer loop on rolling dirt single track with approximately 1,000ft of vertical gain.
| Station |
Total Distance
|
Leg Distance
|
Info |
| Blue Sky Start/Finish |
0
|
0.0
|
Full Aid |
| Soderberg |
1.2
|
1.2
|
Bib # Check Water Pump available |
| Blue Sky Start/Finish |
2.4
|
1.2
|
Full Aid |
| Indian Summer North |
6.2
|
3.8
|
Full Aid |
| Indian Summer North |
9.3
|
3.1
|
Full Aid |
| Blue Sky Finish |
13.1
|
3.8
|
Full Aid |
0 – 2.4: The starting line is located in the new Blue Sky Trailhead off of CR 38E across from the Canyon Grill. From the start, you will run north on the Blue Sky trail through the campground 1.2 miles to the Soderberg Trailhead. A course marshal will be stationed here to check your bib number at the turn around. No aid will be available at the Soderberg trailhead but there is a water pump if you need it. After confirming your number with the course marshal, turn around and head back through the campground to the start. This section of the course will be on a wide gravel path to give everyone room to pass easily. There will be two way traffic and there may be additional marathon runners merging with the half marathon. Please be courteous and step aside to let faster runners pass and please try to stay to the right of the path to give space to oncoming runners.
2.4 – 6.2: After you pass back through the Blue Sky start/finish area, you will continue south on the Blue Sky trail. This section of the trail will be winding, rolling single track with many blind corners. Please watch for oncoming runners and be aware that the trail is open for public use. Runners must yield to hikers and horses. Mountain bikers should yield to pedestrians but please use common sense and courtesty to share the trail, step aside to let faster bikers pass, and watch for oncoming traffic at corners. You will pass only one trail junction with the Rim Rock trail. Continue straight past this intersection down the hill into the valley. Do not turn left and climb over the ridge. The trail will be marked and you should see the Indian Summer north aid station in the valley from this point on the course.
6.2 – 9.3: The Indian Summer North aid station will be in the valley at the junction of the Indian Summer loop. Make sure that your number is recorded at the aid station and volunteers will direct you to turn right up the hill onto the Indian Summer trail. This is the biggest climb on the half marathon course but you’ll be at the top in just a little over a mile. Take a look around and enjoy the wide open view from the top of the hill – you’re over half way and the hardest part is behind you! This section of the course is still on single track trail but you should be able to easily see any oncoming runners. When you reach the bottom of the loop, take a left at the trail junction to turn back north onto the Blue Sky trail. A volunteer should be stationed here to help direct runners in the right direction. If you turn south, you will end up running unofficial bonus miles on the marathon course. The single track trail will connect through a short section of dirt road to take you back to the Indian Summer North aid station.
9.3 – 13.1: After leaving the Indian Summer North aid station, you’ll have a short climb up past the Rim Rock junction. From there you’ll have just a few more miles of rolling single track to the finish. Again, watch for oncoming runners and other trail users through this section.
Half Marathon Course Map
Click the image to open the full size map image
