Registration Open for Blue Sky Marathon & Black Squirrel Half

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Nick

Gnar Runners Events is pleased to announce that registration has opened for both the Blue Sky Marathon (click to register) and a new trail race, the Black Squirrel Half Marathon.

Management of the Blue Sky Marathon, now in its sixth year, has been transferred from Blue Sky Events to Gnar Runners, but the original mission remains: to raise funds for running- and outdoor-related beneficiaries, and to put on a race that showcases local Fort Collins trails and appeals to a broad section of the running community. For 2013, the race has received approval from Larimer County to expand the field to 275 runners. We have added an extra hour to the race cut-off, now eight hours, to give a broader range of runners adequate time to finish.

The new Black Squirrel Half Marathon will begin and end at Soldier Canyon in Lory State Park on August 31, and like the Blue Sky Marathon is designed to appeal to new and experienced trail runners alike. The course is a fun, single loop around the park, and like all Gnar Runner events will conclude with a post-race BBQ. Registration will be capped at 350 runners.

A discount is available for the Blue Sky and Black Squirrel races for those who register for both at the same time. The early-bird registration fee for the Black and Blue Double is just $99.

We are especially pleased to announce that Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists is backing the Black and Blue Double as the top sponsor, and will be onsite after both races.

2013 Race Support

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Nick

In addition to the support of our main sponsors for 2013, Pearl Izumi and Cornerstone Mortgage, we feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of some amazing local businesses and gear companies.

Local trail and ultrarunners Cat Speights, Justin Liddle and Terry Gebhardt have once again stepped up to show their support for the Fort Collins running community with sponsorship of the Quad Rock 25 & 50 mile races through their fantastic businesses.

Dr Catherine Speights is not only a highly accomplished distance runner, but the go-to small animal vet in the running community (and beyond). Her practice, Countryside Animal Hospital, specializes in personalized care of dogs and cats in a home-like setting. Funds from the Countryside sponsorship help support race beneficiary Animal House, which in turn provides volunteer support for the post-race BBQ. It’s a win-win, folks.

Justin Liddle (DMD) and his family moved to Fort Collins a few years ago from New Orleans in search of mountains, trails and a dental market. And they found them all. As an accredited prosthodontist, Justin will put your smile back together next time you take a major mouth-first digger into a solid piece of granite. Or, if you want some bridge work done, he can do that too.

Terry Gebhardt is the owner of Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists, a primary care provider for all your orthopedic needs. COLPTS specializes in sports injuries, neck and back pain, chronic pain, and women’s health. Ask any runner in town who puts them back together, and chances are Terry’s team will be first on the referral list.

Product support for the Quad Rock races come from a range of great companies.

First Endurance will be providing race fuel with EFS Liquid Shot gel flasks for every runner (refillable at all aid stations on course) and post-race recovery with Ultragen.

Overall and age group prizes will come in the form of packs, sunglasses, altimeter watches and running gift vouchers from four great companies: Ultraspire, Smith Optics, Highgear & Runners Roost Fort Collins.

And it wouldn’t be a celebration of trail and ultrarunning in Fort Collins without a craft brewer helping out with the post-race festivities, so we’re super stoked that Pateros Creek will be back at the BBQ offering up their special batch of “51st Mile English Mild.”

Please support our sponsors – they are all local to Fort Collins or the Mountain West. We couldn’t do this without their kind support.

Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Nick

We are excited to announce that Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists have stepped up as the first official supporter of the Quad Rock 50.

Owner Terry Gebhardt, an avid trailrunner himself, will be speeding post-race recoveries by providing massage and physical therapy for finishers at the post-race event.

Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists is a locally owned and operated business with two clinics located in Fort Collins offering a wide range of treatments including those related to running injuries and ailments.