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The Horsetooth Half Marathon runs again in Fort Collins for the 53rd year.
This popular annual race is owned and operated by the Fort Collins Running Club, bringing together great runners from Northern Colorado and well beyond.
The race is a Colorado staple, providing scenic views of Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins before a finish-line party at New Belgium Brewing.
Here's a quick guide to the 2026 Horsetooth Half Marathon:
The race begins at 8 a.m. on April 19.
The top runner is typically done in about 70 minutes. Live music begins at 9:30 a.m., awards will be presented at 11 a.m. and most participants should finish by 11:30 a.m.
Yes, online registration is open through 11:59 p.m. on April 17, at horsetooth-half.com/registration. The cost is $122.90 (after fees).
In-person registration is still available through race morning. You can sign up during packet pickup from noon to 6 p.m. April 18 at Raintree Athletic Club, 2555 S. Shields St., or at the race-day starting line from 6:30-7:45 a.m.
Registration is capped at 2,600 participants. As of 1 p.m. April 15, there were still 480 spots left.
Lawrence Kipkoech reclaimed his 2023 title, winning the 2025 Horsetooth Half Marathon in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, Betty Sigei went back-to-back, winning the women's race for a second straight year. She finished in 1:15:10.
Lawrence Kipkoech set the course record in that 2023 win, finishing in 1:05:45.
According to the National Weather Service, the Fort Collins-area forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and no chance of precipitation on April 19.
Temperatures should start around 40 degrees at 8 a.m. before steadily rising to about 65 degrees by noon with a high near 72.
The Horsetooth Half Marathon is keeping the same route for 2026 that it's used for the last 19 years.
As usual, runners begin along Dixon Canyon Road (Larimer County Road 42C) near the old Hughes Stadium site and quickly climb along Horsetooth Reservoir and Monster Mountain.
They'll run along Centennial Drive until Bellvue, where they'll meet the Poudre River Trail that takes them to Linden Street in Fort Collins and the finish line near New Belgium.
The 13.1-mile course features uphill running early but is entirely downhill along the Poudre River Trail after runners crest Bingham Hill. Total elevation change is minus 237 feet.
Vehicle parking is at the Holiday Twin Drive-In off Overland Trail. Entry into the Holiday Twin will be from the south only.
Runner drop-off is on Dixon Canyon Road, by the race start, and available until just before 8 a.m. There will also be a shuttle bus available for runners to return to their vehicles after the race.
For cyclists: Ride your bike to the start and Recycled Cycles will transport it to the finish line.
The drop-off location is at the Aggie Greens Disc Golf Course parking lot on Dixon Canyon Drive, a quarter mile east of the starting line. Bike retrieval will be on the southeast corner of Linden and Buckingham, just north of the finish line.
County Road 42C to Centennial Drive will be closed to traffic for the opening 0.75 miles of the race. Runners will have a full lane closure on County Road 23E (Centennial Drive) to the Bingham Hill Road turn (mile 6.5).
Bingham Hill Road will be closed to westbound traffic, giving runners full use of the eastbound lane, from County Road 23E to Overland Trail.
Linden Street will be closed from Willow Street to Linden Center Drive during the race and several hours afterward for post-race activities.
The race is popular with runners, but it's also a fan favorite. The course will feature live music at several of the traditional viewing stations.
Here are recommended viewing areas to watch and cheer on your favorite runners:
The post-race party is a Fort Collins institution at this point.
Race registration includes entry into the finish-line party at New Belgium, 500 Linden St., where participants who have a wristband showing they are 21 or older can receive a free beer.
All participants can enjoy post-race food courtesy of local staple Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, plus live music from Graham Good & The Painters.
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What to know for 2026 Horsetooth Half Marathon in Fort Collins
Continue reading...
This popular annual race is owned and operated by the Fort Collins Running Club, bringing together great runners from Northern Colorado and well beyond.
The race is a Colorado staple, providing scenic views of Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins before a finish-line party at New Belgium Brewing.
Here's a quick guide to the 2026 Horsetooth Half Marathon:
When is 2026 Horsetooth Half Marathon?
The race begins at 8 a.m. on April 19.
The top runner is typically done in about 70 minutes. Live music begins at 9:30 a.m., awards will be presented at 11 a.m. and most participants should finish by 11:30 a.m.
You must be registered for see images attach
Can I still sign up for Horsetooth Half Marathon?
Yes, online registration is open through 11:59 p.m. on April 17, at horsetooth-half.com/registration. The cost is $122.90 (after fees).
In-person registration is still available through race morning. You can sign up during packet pickup from noon to 6 p.m. April 18 at Raintree Athletic Club, 2555 S. Shields St., or at the race-day starting line from 6:30-7:45 a.m.
Registration is capped at 2,600 participants. As of 1 p.m. April 15, there were still 480 spots left.
2025 Horsetooth Half Marathon winners
Lawrence Kipkoech reclaimed his 2023 title, winning the 2025 Horsetooth Half Marathon in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, Betty Sigei went back-to-back, winning the women's race for a second straight year. She finished in 1:15:10.
What is Horsetooth Half Marathon course record?
Lawrence Kipkoech set the course record in that 2023 win, finishing in 1:05:45.
What's the weather look like for race day?
According to the National Weather Service, the Fort Collins-area forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and no chance of precipitation on April 19.
Temperatures should start around 40 degrees at 8 a.m. before steadily rising to about 65 degrees by noon with a high near 72.
What's the Horsetooth Half course?
The Horsetooth Half Marathon is keeping the same route for 2026 that it's used for the last 19 years.
As usual, runners begin along Dixon Canyon Road (Larimer County Road 42C) near the old Hughes Stadium site and quickly climb along Horsetooth Reservoir and Monster Mountain.
They'll run along Centennial Drive until Bellvue, where they'll meet the Poudre River Trail that takes them to Linden Street in Fort Collins and the finish line near New Belgium.
The 13.1-mile course features uphill running early but is entirely downhill along the Poudre River Trail after runners crest Bingham Hill. Total elevation change is minus 237 feet.
You must be registered for see images attach
Where can runners park, get dropped off?
Vehicle parking is at the Holiday Twin Drive-In off Overland Trail. Entry into the Holiday Twin will be from the south only.
Runner drop-off is on Dixon Canyon Road, by the race start, and available until just before 8 a.m. There will also be a shuttle bus available for runners to return to their vehicles after the race.
For cyclists: Ride your bike to the start and Recycled Cycles will transport it to the finish line.
The drop-off location is at the Aggie Greens Disc Golf Course parking lot on Dixon Canyon Drive, a quarter mile east of the starting line. Bike retrieval will be on the southeast corner of Linden and Buckingham, just north of the finish line.
You must be registered for see images attach
Horsetooth Half Marathon traffic impacts
County Road 42C to Centennial Drive will be closed to traffic for the opening 0.75 miles of the race. Runners will have a full lane closure on County Road 23E (Centennial Drive) to the Bingham Hill Road turn (mile 6.5).
Bingham Hill Road will be closed to westbound traffic, giving runners full use of the eastbound lane, from County Road 23E to Overland Trail.
Linden Street will be closed from Willow Street to Linden Center Drive during the race and several hours afterward for post-race activities.
Top spots for Horsetooth Half fans, spectators
The race is popular with runners, but it's also a fan favorite. The course will feature live music at several of the traditional viewing stations.
Here are recommended viewing areas to watch and cheer on your favorite runners:
- Top of Monster Mountain (mile 1.8). You can drive, bike or run into the course's high point before the race starts. Parking is at the Rotary Park day use area.
- Turn onto Bingham Hill Road (mile 6.4). This is the course's final climb. You can drive or bike in from Bellvue on North County Road 23.
- Turnoff Bingham Hill Road onto Overland Trail (mile 8.3). It's all downhill from here, so it's a great spot to see the leaders.
- Lyons Park (mile 8.5). Spectators can park off Overland Trail Road (21C) at the Lyons Park Open Space trailhead, where the bike path portion starts for the Poudre Trail finish.
- Taft Hill Road crossing (mile 10.2). This is a popular viewing spot right where the Poudre Trail crosses Taft Hill Road. There's available parking here, along the street or in the dedicated lot.
- Finish line (mile 13.1). The New Belgium finish line along Linden Street is where the race ends and the party begins.
You must be registered for see images attach
Finish-line party continues at New Belgium
The post-race party is a Fort Collins institution at this point.
Race registration includes entry into the finish-line party at New Belgium, 500 Linden St., where participants who have a wristband showing they are 21 or older can receive a free beer.
All participants can enjoy post-race food courtesy of local staple Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, plus live music from Graham Good & The Painters.
You must be registered for see images attach
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What to know for 2026 Horsetooth Half Marathon in Fort Collins
Continue reading...
