Dear Blue Sky Runners –
The 18th running of the Blue Sky Trail Marathon & Half Marathon is just a few days away, and we can’t wait to see you on the starting line. New this year, we are offering the two races over two separate days, with the Marathon beginning as always from the Blue Sky Trailhead on Saturday and the Half Marathon from Horsetooth Reservoir’s South Bay Trailhead on Sunday.
All information relevant to the event is available from the race website. In addition, we’d like to bring your attention to a few key details.
Packet Pickup
You will have two opportunities to pick up your race packets. If you are able to, we encourage you to pick up your race gear for either race on Friday from 4pm to 7pm at Altitude Running, (2531 S. Shields St) at the intersection of Drake & Shields.
Packets will also be available on race morning:
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Marathon: from 5:30am to 6:45am at the Blue Sky Trailhead
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Half Marathon: from 5:30a to 6:45a at the South Bay Picnic Shelter
Registration
While the half marathon is sold out, we do still have space left in the marathon. If you have friends of family that are interested in running, online registration will be open through the end of day on Thursday. We will also be taking in-person registrations at packet pickup on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Parking
Marathon
Limited parking is available at the Blue Sky Trailhead by the race start for carpools of two or more *runners* (50 spaces, first come, first serve). Additional parking will be at the Inlet Bay Marina off Shoreline Drive, 3/4 of a mile from the start.
If you are driving solo and parking in the Marina, please give yourself adequate time to get from your car to the start. Race day parking passes will be handed out when you arrive at the Marina.
Runner Drop Off will be available at the pullout on Shoreline Drive by the fire station around the corner from the Blue Sky Trailhead. From the drop-off pullout it is a quarter mile walk to packet pickup and the start. Parking for friends and family is available at the Marina.
**Parking is not allowed anywhere on 38E, along Shoreline Drive, at the Horsetooth Tavern across the street or on any connecting residential street. Please respect the posted speed limit (30 mph) around the trailhead and parking areas.**
We will have a start/finish gear drop area if you want to avoid heading back to your car before the race starts. Bags dropped here will be available as drop bags for those running the marathon when coming back through at mile 9.2, and also as finish gear bags for both races. Bags should be labeled with your name & bib number – we’ll have duct tape and sharpies available. There are no other drop bag locations on course.
Half Marathon
All race parking for the Half Marathon will be at the South Bay Parking area. There is currently some construction ongoing, so please follow signage and parking marshals.
Schedule & Aid Station Details
The full race schedule is available here. Both the Marathon and Half Marathon will start at 7:00am on their respective mornings.
For the Marathon, there is a 10am cut off at the mile 9.2 Blue Sky aid station. Indian Summer South cut off times are 12:30pm outbound (15.6 miles) and 1:45pm inbound (20.3 miles).
Aid stations will be checking & recording bib numbers. Please make sure your bib is visible from the front. It would also be helpful if you could call out your number as you enter the aid station. Bib numbers are being checked for both aid station split data and runner safety.
There are no cut-offs in the Half Marathon.
This is a cup-less race. We ask that all runners carry a water bottle or hydration pack for refills at the aid stations. We also encourage you to carry a reusable cup for soda fills at aid stations. If you do not have one, we will have them for sale ($5) at packet pickup.
All aid stations will offer Gnarly Nutrition Fuel2O sports drink, Naak Gels, water and soda plus a variety salty and sweet bites, and a selection of fruit.
Results and Runner Tracking
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Find your bib number: https://runsignup.com/Race/FindARunner/?raceId=175360
- Marathon Runner Tracking & Results: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/blue-sky-trail-marathon-trail-marathon/spread
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Half Marathon Live Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/175360
Course Marking
The course will be well marked with pink ribbons and pink pin flags. In addition to pink flagging, key turns will be marked with directional arrows. All major intersections will also be staffed with course marshals and/or flour on the ground.
Post-Race
As always, we will be offering a hearty post-race meal for both races, featuring vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options alongside more meaty fare. Also look for Mary’s Mountain Cookies and New Belgium beer. If you fancy coffee pre- or post-race we will have it available courtesy of our good friends at the Bean Cycle Roasters.
The BBQ is free to all race participants. If you did not purchase extra tickets for friends and family with your registration, additional meals can be purchased at the BBQ for $10.
PT work will be available after the race courtesy of race sponsors Colorado in Motion.
Weather
The current weather forecast looks clear, sunny and cool all weekend:
- Marathon: overnight lows (Friday into Saturday) in the 40s warming up to mid 50s by the afternoon. Winds are forecast to be generally light with the potential for some gusts beginning around noon.
- Half Marathon: overnight lows (Saturday into Sunday) in the low 30s warming up into the 60s by midday. Winds are forecast to be generally light.
Please come prepared for colder and/or hotter than forecast temperatures. The Blue Sky course is very exposed to the elements.
Trails
The trails are open to the public. Please be courteous to other users. Yield when appropriate, especially to equestrians.
If you have questions that are not answered here or on the website, then please email (racedirector@gnarrunners.com). We will do our level best to respond in a timely manner.
We can’t wait to see you all on Saturday morning!
Nick & Brad
Gnar Runners