Dear Black Squirrel Half Marathoner,
We are looking forward to hosting you at the 14th running of the Black Squirrel Half Marathon this Saturday, September 12 at 7:00am.
Before we send you on your way, we’d like to draw your attention to some important details for race weekend.
Packet Pickup
There will be two opportunities to get your packets:
- Friday, September 11 – 4:00-7:00p at Altitude Running (2531 S Shields St #2N, Fort Collins, CO 80526)
- Saturday, September 12 – 5:30-6:45a at the race start/finish at Lory State Park’s Soldier Canyon Picnic Area.
Picking up your bib either day tells us that you are starting the race. If you pick up your bib, but miss the start, please notify us so we know that you are not lost on course.
If you want to check out your bib number before packet pickup, you can do so here.
We currently have about 40 spots left in the race. Online registration will close on Thursday at 11:59p MDT. If spots are still available, we will be offering registration in-person at packet pickup on Friday/Saturday.
If you have friends and/or family that would like to run, we suggest letting them know to pre-register this week so as not to miss out.
Cup Free Racing
We were asked last year to remind all runners that you should carry a 16oz minimum water bottle or bladder that can be refilled at aid stations. We do not stock single-use cups at aid stations.
Aid Stations
All aid stations will be serving and Naak Gels and Gatorade Sports Drink. The Arthurs aid stations will also have fruit, a selection of salty snacks, and perhaps a surprise or two!
Parking
Parking will be available beginning at 5:30am.
We are asking any runners who are able to arrive in a vehicle that already has a state park pass to please do so. If you have a pass as part of your vehicle registration (small CO Parks & Wildlife badge on the registration), the park has asked that you display it on your dash.
We WILL provide passes for any vehicles that do not have a state pass. Due to recent permitting changes, we now have to cover fees for any vehicles without passes and appreciate your help keeping costs down.
Any other vehicles (crews/spectators) will be required to have a Colorado State Parks Annual Pass or purchase a park entry pass on-site for $10-15.
As always, we strongly encourage you to carpool. Premium parking spaces in the Soldier Canyon lot nearest the start/finish will be given to carpools of 2 or more registered runners on a first-come-first-serve basis. All other vehicles will be directed to park on the Lodgepole Drive spur road and the Timber trailhead lot with overflow parking at the Eltuck Picnic area.
**Please give yourself an extra 20-30 minutes to park and get to race check-in on time. Late arrivals may have up to 1 mile or longer to walk to the start.**
Gear Bags
Runners may leave a gear bag at the start/finish on race morning. There will be a marked tarp for your bags. If you leave one, please label it with your name and bib number.
Park Visitors
The park is open to the public. Please be courteous to other users. Yield when appropriate.
Post-Race Breakfast
We will be hosting a finish line breakfast at the Solider Canyon Group Picnic Area, featuring:
- Pancakes*
- Sausage*
- Eggs
- Hash Browns*
- OJ
- Fruit
- Mary’s Mountain Cookies
- Coffee from Bean Cycle Roasters
- New Belgium Beer, Sparkling Water & More
*Vegan options available
Reusable dishware – all finish line meals will be served on reusable dishware. When you’re done with a piece, simply hand it back to any breakfast volunteer for washing.
All runners are welcome to the breakfast by showing their race bib. The serving line will have a list of all extra meals purchased in advance, so you can simply line up and have them check you off. Additional meals can also be purchased on site for $10 (cash preferred).
Finish Expo
After your run, we welcome you to kick back and enjoy the beautiful morning at the Soldier Canyon Event Center. We will have a number of vendors in attendance that we encourage you to check in with:
- KEEN Footwear Recovery Lounge
- Colorado in Motion Physical Therapy Recovery Tent (massage & stretching)
- Altitude Running Gear
Awards will be offered on a rolling basis, beginning with overall awards at 9:30a.
Kids’ Race
As always we will be offering a Little Squirrels Race beginning at 11:00a. The race is free and no pre-registration is required. This is a long-standing tradition of the Black Squirrel Trail Half Marathon, and many a young squirrel has gone on to develop a love for the sport, citing the race as a formative trail running experience.
Parents are encouraged (but not required) to accompany their kiddos on the one-mile route. We will have additional race volunteers in front, back and middle making sure everyone gets to the finish safely.
Weather & Trails
The current forecast for race day is showing a partly cloudy morning with start temperatures in the 50s, rising to a high in the low 70s for our later finishers. Pretty good!
Trail conditions are currently excellent and we do not anticipate any trail closures or changes to the route.
Runner Tracking
Runner finisher times will be uploaded live to the web as they occur. We will not have other runner tracking points.