Quad Rock 2025 Pre-Race Briefing

Quad Rockers – we are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday morning at Lory State Park for the 14th running of the Quad Rock 25 & 50 Mile Trail Races. Before we send you on your way, we’d like to draw your attention to some important details for race week.

Weather & Trails

The current forecast for race day is partly cloudy with start temperatures in the 40s, rising to a high in the mid to upper 70s. There’s moisture early in the week, with a drying trend into the weekend.

Trail conditions are currently excellent and we do not anticipate any trail closures or changes to the route.

Packet Pickup

Two opportunities to get your packets:

Friday, May 9 – 4:00-7:00p at Altitude Running (2531 S Shields St #2N, Fort Collins, CO 80526)
Saturday, May 10 – 4:00-6:45a at Lory State Park’s Soldier Canyon TH (race start/finish)

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 (racedirector@gnarrunners.com) so we know that you are not lost on course.

Partner Packet Pickup Offers

Be among the first in the United States to try shoes from our presenting sponsor X-Bionic, including the flagship Terraskin X00. To celebrate the launch of X-Bionic in the US, our retail partner Altitude Running is offering 20% off in store purchases, while X-Bionic will be offering a gift with purchase during packet pickup.

In addition to 20% off X-Bionic products, Altitude Running are offering a storewide 15% off sale (excluding electronics) during Friday’s packet pickup.

Thursday Shakeout Run

Join us Thursday night at 6pm for a fun social run with the Fort Collins Trail Runners. If you’re coming in from out of town, this is a great opportunity to meet local runners and get your Quad Rock course questions answered.

The route is a largely non-technical 5 mile loop around Dixon Reservoir. The group splits into a couple of pace groups. Each group will stop and re-group at three points along the route. This is a no-drop run, and all paces are welcome. After the run we’ll have an informal get together with race veterans to answer any questions you may have.

The meetup is by the Spring Canyon Park Dog Park.

Race Start

The 50 mile race will start at 5:30am and the 25 mile race at 7:00am. Both starts will be single-wave starts.

The park will be open to 50 mile runner traffic beginning at 4:00am. For the 25 mile race, morning check-in will begin at 5:45am after the start of the 50 mile race.

Bib Numbers & Runner Tracking

Bib numbers will be assigned on Wednesday. You will be able to check yours on the RunSignup race tracking platform at that time.

Live Tracking will be available here.

At each aid station, volunteers will record your bib numbers, and that data will go out near-live to RunSignup. You are responsible for making sure that your number is recorded. Have your bib visible from the front. Call out your number when entering and leaving the aid station.

If you need to drop out of the race for any reason, you must check out with the timing staff at the nearest aid station. If you do not inform us that you have dropped, we will assume that you are lost on the course.

If you have friends or family who want to follow your progress, point them to RunSignup.

Parking

Parking for 50 mile runners will be available beginning at 4:00am, and for 25 mile runners beginning at 5:45am.

We are asking any runners who are able to arrive in a vehicle that already has a state park pass to please do so. We WILL provide passes for any that do not. 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.

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.**

Parking Map

Cut-Offs

The 50 mile race will be limited to 14 hours and will end at 7:30pm. Course cut-offs will be enforced at the following aid stations:

Soldier Canyon (Mile 25) at 12:15pm. 6:45 total time
Arthur’s Trailhead (Mile 32.3) at 2:30pm. 9:00 total time
Horsetooth Trailhead (Mile 39.5) at 4:35pm. 11:05 total time

The 25 mile race has one intermediate cut-off at:

Arthur’s Aid Station (mile 17.5) at 2:30pm. 7:30 total time.

This is a challenging course so some runners may find it difficult to meet these cut-off times. Any 50 mile runner who drops out or fails to meet the course cut-offs after completing the first 25 mile loop will be given a finisher award & time for the 25 mile race, but will not be eligible for 25 mile overall and age group awards.

Performance Nutrition

At this year’s Quad Rock, we’re thrilled to welcome back Gnarly Nutrition as our hydration sponsor. We will have Limeade Fuel20 at Towers, Arthur’s and Horsetooth. Tropical Gnarly will be available at Soldier Canyon and Arthur’s East.

We’re also thrilled to be welcoming Näak as a race partner. Näak aid station offerings will include Boost Energy Gels and Ultra Energy Waffles and Purees. During packet pickup we will also be giving away Ultra Energy Bars.

Drop Bags

Drop bags are allowed at the Horsetooth Trailhead (50 mile race) and the finish/25 mile turn (Soldier Canyon).

Horsetooth Drop Bags must be dropped off at the start by 5:25am on race morning. We will not have a second transport shuttle for the later 25M start.

Soldier Canyon (Finish/25 mile turn) drop bags may be dropped off any time before the start of each race.

Please keep your drop bag to a reasonable size (small duffel bag or stuff sack). They should be clearly labeled with your name and bib number. Please do not leave any valuable items in your drop bags – volunteers are not responsible for lost items.

Drop bags will not be returned to the start until the Horsetooth Aid Station shuts down and packs up at the end of the day (after 5p). If you finish early and need your drop bag before heading home, you are welcome to drive around to the Horsetooth trailhead (25-30 minutes) to pick up your drop bag. Unclaimed bags will be left in a lost and found box at Altitude Running for two weeks after the race, before being donated.

Crewing

Crew access is available at the Arthur’s Rock Aid Station, Horsetooth Aid Station, and the Soldier Canyon turnaround/finish area.

Please make sure to pass the parking instructions above to your crews! Also note that access to the Horsetooth Aid Station requires a Larimer County Parks Pass or day-use pass ($10). The Horsetooth trailhead is very popular on the weekend and will likely be full by 9:00am. Access later in the afternoon for returning 50 mile support teams should be better but not guaranteed.

Post-Race BBQ & Expo

We will be hosting a finish line BBQ at the Soldier Canyon Group Picnic Area, featuring:

Reusable dishware – cups at aid stations and all finish line meals will be served on reusable dishware. When you’re done with a piece, simply hand it back to any volunteer to get washed.

All runners are welcome to the BBQ by showing their race bib. Extra meal tickets purchased in advance can be redeemed at the BBQ and can also be purchased on site for $10 (cash preferred).

Park Visitors

The parks are open to the public. Please be courteous of other users. Yield when Appropriate.

Post Race Vendors & Awards

Presenting sponsor X-Bionic will be on site post race demo-ing their all new trail running line, including the flagship Terraskin trail shoe. Stop in and chat with X-Bionic rep Mike Aish who’ll be giving away free socks!

CJ Olson will also be on site offering the opportunity to commemorate your experience with a work of art! These wooden 3D maps are designed locally in Loveland, and highlight all of the details of the course using laser engraving in a relief carving.

Be sure to check in with all our vendors and stick around or awards that will go three deep in 4 categories: Overall (male, female, non-binary), Open (U-40), Masters (40-49) & Grandmasters (50+).

Thanks, and once again, we look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Nick Clark & Brad Bishop
Gnar Runners