The Horsetooth Half Marathon is one of the most respected and competitive half marathons in the Mountain West, drawing elite runners and serious age-groupers to the foothills west of Fort Collins each spring. The point-to-point course starts on Dixon Canyon Road in the hills above Horsetooth Reservoir at approximately 6,000 feet, descends through dramatic red rock canyon scenery with views of the reservoir, and finishes at the iconic New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins. The course features +917 feet of climbing and -1,154 feet of descent for a net 237-foot drop, rewarding well-trained runners with a fast, scenic experience.<\/p>\n
The 53rd running of the Horsetooth Half takes place Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM. Start parking is available at the Holiday Twin Drive-In. Packet pickup is available Saturday, April 18 from noon\u20136 PM at the Raintree Athletic Club, and from 6:30\u20137:45 AM race morning. The race offers a $12,000 cash purse, making it one of the few Colorado half marathons with meaningful elite prize money. The finish at New Belgium \u2014 home of Fat Tire Ale \u2014 provides a fitting post-race reward.<\/p>\n
The Horsetooth Half is special because it delivers both scenic beauty and competitive legitimacy. The canyon-to-brewery route is unique to Fort Collins’ geography, the field includes genuine fast runners competing for real prize money, and the New Belgium finish provides a festive community atmosphere. The race has thrived for over 50 years because it gets everything right: a beautiful course, community feel, competitive environment, and an iconic finish line location.<\/p>\n
April in Fort Collins can be unpredictable \u2014 temperatures at the 8:00 AM start typically range from the low 30s to mid-50s\u00b0F. The canyon sections can be windy, especially in the early miles. The point-to-point format means you’ll need a ride back from New Belgium to your car \u2014 plan your post-race transportation in advance. The course starts at moderate altitude (6,000 feet) and descends, so the physiological demands are manageable for runners from lower elevations.<\/p>\n