The Quad Rock 50 and 25 mile trail races take place entirely on the premium singletrack trails of Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Park, just west of Fort Collins in the northeastern Colorado Rockies. The 25-mile course features three major climbs and descents totaling over 5,500 feet of vertical gain on 85% singletrack and 15% dirt road, running clockwise from Soldier Canyon. The 50-mile course runs the 25-mile loop twice in opposite directions, accumulating over 11,000 feet of gain. Elevation ranges from 5,444 to 7,087 feet \u2014 modest by Colorado standards, but the relentless terrain makes every foot count.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Quad Rock takes place Saturday, May 9. The 50-mile starts at 5:30 AM and the 25-mile starts at 7:00 AM from Lory State Park. Time allowances are 14 hours (50 mile) and 12.5 hours (25 mile). The course is impeccably marked with pink flagging, flour ground markings, directional arrows, and confidence flagging every quarter mile on longer trail stretches. The 50-mile event sold out for 2026 \u2014 this race moves fast. The course offers panoramic views east to the Great Plains stretching into Nebraska and west to Longs Peak dominating the horizon 30 miles away.<\/p>\n
Quad Rock is put on by Gnar Runners \u2014 trail runners organizing events for trail runners \u2014 and that ethos shows in every detail. The course is challenging, scenic, and genuinely well-organized without the commercial sheen of larger events. The Fort Collins trail running community is passionate and welcoming, the singletrack is world-class, and the accessibility of the race from Denver (1.5 hours north) makes it a perennial favorite on the Colorado trail racing calendar.<\/p>\n
May in the Colorado foothills means variable weather \u2014 morning temperatures can be in the low 40s\u00b0F at the 5:30 AM start and potentially wet if spring storms linger. The course includes some exposed ridge sections where wind can be intense. The 50-mile event consistently sells out \u2014 register the moment registration opens in late winter. Carry navigation tools (GPS or a downloaded map) as backup even with excellent course marking, especially for the nighttime early miles of the 50-mile race.<\/p>\n