2024 Women’s Elite Field Announced

The prize purse for the 51st running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon has been increased to a total pool of $12,000, with generous support from the Fort Collins Running Club. Payouts go 8 deep and there will be fierce competition to match.

Sara Vaughn’s 2021 course record (1:15:16) is likely to feel some pressure, amid a women’s race that features an interesting mix of regional, international and collegiate talent.

The Women’s Elite Field

Last year’s winner Sarah Neibei will not be returning to defend her title in 2024, which leaves Joyline Chemutai as the top returning runner. From Pacific Palisades, CA, Chemutai ran 1:17:17 for second place last year. Most recently, Chemutai won the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November in a time of 1:10:23, defending her title from 2022 in the process (1:10:58).

Chemutai will be joined by a number of other previous winners and podium finishers on this year’s start line, including a number of the local Front Range Elite (FRE) training group. AnnMarie Kirkpatrick will once again be in the field, having posted numerous podium finishes over the year years including the overall win in 2018.

Sophie Seward, an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier this year, will also be representing the FRE group. Seward has finished on the podium in previous years and has a Horsetooth best of 1:19:35. She qualified for the 2020 & 2024 Trials, most recently with a qualifying time of 2:35:36 at the 2022 Grandmas Marathon.

Most recently dominating on the trails, including an impressive USATF Trail Half Marathon Championship win at the 2023 Black Squirrel Half Marathon, Rachel Rudel will be running her first Horsetooth Half Marathon alongside her FRE teammates. Others from the FRE team include 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier Courtney Bouchet and Elena Lancioni.

Stepping up from the collegiate ranks, Lily Tomasula Martin, will be looking to piggyback her successful XC and track career at CSU as she steps up in distance to take on her first half marathon.

Among the international contingent, Betty Sigei stands out as a race favorite. At the competitive Cooper River Bridge Run (10k) last weekend, she ran 32:07 for third place, beating the aforementioned Chemutai (32:32) in the process.

A couple of 2023 Chicago Marathon finishers look likely to compete for top spots. Kathryn Fluehr finished 14th American female with a time of 2:35:56, while Shari Ebhard dipped under the 2:40 mark with a time of 2:39:42.

Others likely to contend for top 10 positions include:

Jess Cunningham – representing the Fort Collins Running Club, Cunningham most recently ran 1:18:43 at the Halfsy Half.
Maria McDaniel Harrison – three time winner of the Slacker Half.
Carly Gill Larios – has a 2:42:09 marathon PR from the 2019 Berlin Marathon

The racing action starts at 8:30am on Sunday, April 16. Lead runners in the women’s race will hit the finish around 9:45am.

2024 Horsetooth Half Marathon Men’s Elite Field Announced

The 51st running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon will see a number of former champions toeing the line, including fine previous winners and also the current course record holder.

The course record (1:05:46) was broken in commanding fashion last year by Lawrence Kipkoech. Lawrence was the first male in race history to go under 1:06. He will be back this year to try and defend his title and perhaps nudge that course record down a little further. He has raced a couple of half marathons since last year’s Horsetooth Half, both under 1:03:00, suggesting good form coming into this year’s race.

Tyler McCandless finished second and a minute back of Kipkoech last year. His time of 1:06:45 is the second fastest in race history, and a minute quicker than his winning time from 2021. Tyler has run the race five times, posting a win and 3 second place finishes.

There will also be three other men’s winners toeing the line on Sunday. Former course record holder Paul Peterson (2013 & 2015 champion) is back for another crack at the course. He’ll be joined by Michael Chavez (2014 champion) and Stephen Pretak (2016 men’s winner).

Pushing our former champions will be a strong contingent of local and international elites. Kenyan David Bett is coming off a recent win and course record at the Macau 10k (29:02) in March. Bett is also a previous winner of the BAA 10k (28:08, 2019) and represented Kenya in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 5k.

James Ngandu will also be among the favorites on Sunday. The 2022 Houston Marathon champion (2:11:03) and Tiffin University graduate has a couple of recent wins against defending champion Kipkoech. He ran 1:02:05 in Besser City, LA in October, beating Kipkoech by 50 seconds. He also finished second in May 2023 at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon (1:02:14), beating Kipkoech (4th) by a similar margin.

Other runners of note to look out for this year include:

Jeffrey Eggleston – 3-time world championship team marathoner for USA with personal bests of 2:10:52 (marathon), 1:02:41 (half-marathon,) & 28:34 (10km). Eggleston placed 8th in the 2014 Boston Marathon.
Brad Taylor – qualified for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:17:34 at the 2023 Eugene Marathon. This will the Windsor local’s first attempt at the half marathon distance.
Carson Hume – fourth in the 2021 Horsetooth Half (1:10:35) in his first attempt at the distance, Hume will be representing the Fort Collins Running Club after an illustrious college career at CSU.
Clint Anders – seventh in 2021, less than 20 seconds behind Hume, Anders will also be pushing for a top finish this year.

The racing action starts at 8:30am on Sunday, April 14. Lead runners in the men’s race will hit the finish just after 9:30. Be there to see who takes home top honors!

Race Day Logistics – Parking, Beer, Pint Glasses & More!

With race day on the horizon, we’ve got a few FAQ we want to give special emphasis to so you know the who/ what / when / where / why for your day of celebration!

Beer Service

All runners receive a free post-race beer from our host, New Belgium Brewing, with their registration.

We require ID verification for all alcohol service. You can do this in one of two ways:

Have your ID with you at the finish line (carry it, stash it in your gear bag, or have a friend/family member bring it)
Bring your ID to packet pickup Saturday and visit the wristband station. We’ll verify your age, attach your wristband then & there, and you keep it on until your finish the next day

At the Finish Line Party, there will be THREE stations where you can get beer service:

The main bar in the Liquid Center will be full service for everyone. All drafts available, service to runners, spectators, friends & family, for purchase or for runners to claim their free beers.
The ‘Beerstream’ trailer on the SE corner of the main lawn will similarly be open to all, serving drafts of New Belgium’s most popular brews, and you are welcome to claim your free beer there.
FOR FASTEST SERVICE, there will be an express lane in the West Bar area of the New Belgium building. This station is ONLY open to runners claiming their free beers and will offer cans of New Belgium’s most popular brews.
- Runners – if you prefer a draft other than those listed in the express lane for your free beer, you are absolutely welcome to it, and should opt for service at the main bar
- Anyone looking to purchase a drink should visit either the main bar or Beerstream. The express lane is ONLY for runners claiming their free beer.

Runner Pint Glasses

Every runner receives a commemorative Horsetooth Half pint glass as part of their registration. Past experience has taught us there’s many better ways to distribute glass objects than in the finish chute. 🙂 You can pick up your pint glass either:

At Saturday’s Packet Pickup at Raintree Athletic Club
At the Finish Line Party/Expo on Sunday, located on the NE corner of the lawn (just to the right as you face the main New Belgium entrance – see map above)

Parking / Race Morning Drop-Off

Vehicle Parking

Race parking will be at the Holiday Twin Drive-In (2206 South Overland Trail) or on city streets north of the Drive-In..

Important! If you are planning to PARK at the Drive-In, you will need to be heading north on Overland Trail to access the Drive-In (right turn only). There will be no left turn into the Drive-In. Vehicles coming from the north will have to drive down to Cottonwood Glen Park to turn and approach from the south.

The Drive-In is located 3/4 of a mile east of the race start. Port-a-johns, packet pickup and bag drops will all be on the private lot directly to the south of the race start. Some toilets will also be available at the Drive-In concession area. Please plan accordingly in terms of the time you’ll need to get from your car to the start. We advise getting to the Drive-In no later than 7:30am.

Runner Drop-Off

If you are planning to get DROPPED OFF at the start line, you will need to approach Dixon Canyon Rd heading South on Overland Trail (right turn only).

All runner drop-off traffic will be westbound (from Overland Tr) on Dixon Canyon Rd (CR 42C) from 7:00am-8:00am with two lanes on Dixon Canyon for drop-off and one – the north shoulder – for thru traffic. The south shoulder will be coned for pedestrian/runner traffic. Drop-off will be ‘airport style’ so please be ready to ‘de-car’ quickly once you arrive. There will be no U-turns on CR 42C once runners are dropped off. Drop-off vehicles will exit to the west and can circle back into town south on 38e or north on Centennial (CR 23).

Dixon Canyon Rd & the northbound lane of CR23 will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 8:00am.

Bicycling

Ride your bike to the start and Recycled Cycles will transport it to the finish for you to ride home. We’ll have a drop-off location right by race morning packet pickup. Bike retrieval at the finish will be by the bus shuttle on Linden Centre Drive.

Shuttles

Free busing will be available from the finish area back to the Drive-In parking. Buses will be running from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The bus pickup location is on Linden Centre Drive, in the parking area west of New Belgium.

T-Shirt, Bib, Post-Race Party & More 2024 Updates!

2024 T-Shirt and Bib Preview:

Graham Good & The Painters to Headline Post-Race Party

The New Belgium Post-Race Party will this year be headlined by local favorites Graham Good & The Painters. In addition to the fun vibes brought by the band, you’ll be able to enjoy post-race food and a FREE beer from New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins’ original microbrewer and bringer of the party.

Food for the party will again be offered by Crisp & Green and the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant. Look out also for sponsors giveaways, photo booths and promotions at the post-race expo.

Free Race Tracking with RaceJoy

Once again, we’re elevating the race-day experience for you and your fans at the Horsetooth Half Marathon on April 14 with free race-day tracking.

Just download the free RaceJoy mobile app, then search and register for the Horsetooth Half (live by the end of the week). On race day, receive progress alerts at every mile and get motivational cheers from your friends and family while you make your way to finish line celebration at New Belgium Brewing.

Have your fans download the app too and they can keep tabs on your progress and send cheers all race long.

April 14th Horsetooth Half Marathon Offers $12,000 Prize Purse

The 2024 Horsetooth Half Marathon will be offering a total prize purse of $12,000 for the 51st running of the race to take place April 14. The purse is made available with generous support from the Fort Collins Running Club.

The iconic race takes in views of the local Front Range mountains while running alongside the shores of beautiful Horsetooth Reservoir. The challenging course ends at New Belgium Brewing in downtown Fort Collins.

“The Fort Collins Running Club (FCRC) is the largest running club in Northern Colorado, and we are proud to say the club started the race 50 years ago. It has been an iconic race from the beginning, with stunning views of Horsetooth Reservoir and beyond,” says FCRC Vice-President Kate Schulte.

“We want to make sure we attract the region’s most talented runners by offering the largest half marathon prize purse in Colorado. By offering this prize purse, we are creating a race that appeals to many talented runners, despite the challenging course. The number of elite runners has grown every year, and the club is excited to continue with our expanded payout from the 50th anniversary for our 51st year.”

In the overall category, money will be awarded to the top eight finishers. The men’s and women’s winners will take home $1,350 each. An additional $500 is on offer for new course records.

The top three master’s finishers will be awarded cash payouts totaling $1,000. There is also a $200 premium for the first man and first woman to the top of Monster Mountain, some 500 feet above the race start at mile 1.65. The top three finishers from the Fort Collins Running Club will also earn cash awards.

The FCRC has a mission of supporting fitness through running for athletes of all levels and all abilities. The Club offers a large cash purse in both the July 4th FireKrakcker 5k and the Horsetooh Half Marathon as a means of supporting the competitive, elite-level side of the sport.

For additional information on elite entries and elite athlete information, please visit the Elite section of the race website.

Men’s Elite Field Headlined by Former Champions

The 50th running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon will see a number of former champions toeing the line, including four of the last six winners and also the current course record holder.

The course record (1:06:51) was set last year by Dominic Korir. He will be back this year to try and defend his title and perhaps nudge that course record down a little further. He raced a number of half marathons last year, mostly in the 1:03-1:04 range, suggesting good form coming into this year’s Horsetooth Half.

Tyler McCandless was just 8 seconds behind Dominic last year, after winning the race in 2021. He will be back on the start line this year, and comes to the race in great form. Racing what he describes as “arguably one of the best races of my career,” Tyler placed 7th place in a personal best time of 1:02:52 at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in February.

The two other recent champions that will be toeing the line are two-time winner, and former course record holder, Paul Peterson and 2016 men’s champion Stephen Pretak. Also of note on the former champion front, we’re delighted to be welcoming back Andy Ames, the Horsetooth Half’s most winningest runner ever. Andy has won the race four times, most recently in 2001.

Pushing our former champions will be a strong contingent of local and international elites. Kenyan David Bett might offer the stiffest challenge, coming off an impressive win and course record at the November Monterey Bay Half Marathon (1:02:13). At the same race, defending Horsetooth champ Korir was a minute back in fourth. Another two runners in the Monterey Bay field, who will also be running Horsetooth, were fifth placed Josphat Kipchirchir (1:03:20) and Alejandro Martinez Ambrosio in 9th (1:04:20).

From Eldoret, Kenya and a recent graduate of Campbell University in North Carolina, Lawrence Kipkoech is a three-time NCAA D1 Cross Country All American. He comes into the Horsetooth Half with a half marathon PR of 1:02:41.

Also among the lead runners this year will be a trio of local runners with Horsetooth Half pedigree:

Kurt Roeser – 3rd in 2019 (1:08:28), 8th in 2021 and ran 2:17:25 at the 2022 Cal International Marathon
Ben Payne – masters winner in 2021 and two-time Olympic Trials Qualifier in the marathon
Nate Routhier – 6th in 2021 (1:10:50)

Other runners of note entered in the elite field include:

Jared Iacovelli – 1:06:09 at the 2022 San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon
Tom Derr – 2:23 at the 2023 Houston Marathon
Adrian Macdonald – two-time Leadville 100 mile champion (2021, 2022)

The racing action starts at 8:30am on Sunday, April 16. Lead runners in the men’s race will hit the finish just after 9:30. Be there to see who takes home top honors!

2023 Elite Women’s Field Announced, Course Record Under Threat

The prize purse for the 50th running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon has been increased to a total pool of $12,000, with generous support from the Fort Collins Running Club. Payouts go 8 deep and there will be fierce competition to match.

Sara Vaughn’s 2021 course record (1:15:16) is likely to feel some pressure, amid a women’s race that features an interesting mix of regional, international and collegiate talent.

The Women’s Elite Field

Last year’s winner Liz Lagoy will not be returning to defend her title in 2023, which leaves Sophie Seward as the top returning runner. A member of the local Front Range Elite (FRE) training group, Sophie placed third in 2022 and comes into the race this year with a marathon PR of 2:33:23. Sophie ran 2:35:36 at the 2022 Grandmas Marathon, securing her spot at the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials.

Sophie will be joined on the start line by a number of her FRE teammates, including 2018 Horsetooth Half Champion AnnMarie Kirkpatrick, who is coming off a 2:40:34 at the California International Marathon in December. Others from the FRE team include:

Sarah Anderson – fifth in the 2021 Horsetooth Half (1:19:58)
Mary Katherine Andrews – 2:46:13 at the 2022 Berlin Marathon
Grace Morgan – 2:54 at the 2023 Houston Marathon

Among the favorites for this year’s race will be those coming in from overseas. Top seeded among those runners is Kenya’s Joyline Chemutai. She comes into the Horsetooth Half on the back of a race-winning 1:10:58 effort at the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November of last year.

Joyline will be pushed by a fellow Kenyan and two Ethiopian runners, also with impressive recent performances:

Sarah Naibei – Broad Street 10 Miler Defending Champion (52:04).
Hirut Guangul – winner of two 2022 Rock n’ Roll Half Marathons: Washington DC (1:14:02) and New Jersey (1:14:46).
Weynshet Weldetsadik – placed an impressive ninth at the recent Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (53:47).

Another angle of interest from the women’s elite field is a contingent of recent CSU cross country and track standouts:

Janelle Lincks has been focussed recently on international mountain running competition, but comes in with a 1:13:06 half marathon PR from 2021 and still holds the CSU 3k steeple chase record (10:00:02), set in 2017.
Ashlyn Hilliard was part of last year’s CSU Cross Country team at the NCAA D1 National Championships. She will be making her competitive debut at the half marathon distance. She comes in with 5k/10k PRs of 16:06 & 34:01.
Claudia Burgess was also on the CSU XC team at the NCAAs. She too will be making her competitive debut at the half marathon distance and comes in with 5k/10k PRs of 16:25 & 34:55

Two other runners in the women’s field come in with sub-2:50 marathon PRs. Shayna Barbash ran a 2:49:34 in November at the Indianapolis Marathon, while Ellie Pell ran 2:41:52 at the 2019 Hartford Marathon to qualify for the last U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

The racing action starts at 8:30am on Sunday, April 16. Lead runners in the women’s race will hit the finish around 9:45am.

Prize Purse Increased to $12k

The Horsetooth Half Marathon is offering a total potential prize purse of $12,000 for the 50th running of the race. The purse is supported with generous support from the Fort Collins Running Club. In the overall category, money will be awarded to the top 8 finishers. The men’s and women’s winners will take home $1,350 each. An additional $500 is on offer for new course records.

The top three master’s finishers will be awarded cash payouts totaling $1,000. There is also a $200 premium for the first man and first woman to the top of Monster Mountain. The Monster Mountain timing point is the high point on the course, some 500 feet above the race start at mile 1.65.

The top three finishers from the Fort Collins Running Club will also earn cash awards. In order to be eligible for the FCRC-only pool, runners must be a member of the Club as of Dec 31, 2022.

The Fort Collins Running Club was founded in 1973. It has a mission of supporting fitness through running for athletes of all levels and all abilities. The Club offers a cash purse in both the FireKrakcker 5k and the Horsetooh Half Marathon as a means of supporting the competitive, elite-level side of the sport.

For additional information on elite entries and elite athlete information, please visit the Elite section of the race website.

Celebrate 50 Years of the Horsetooth Half Marathon: April 16, 2023

On April 16, 2023 we will be celebrating 50 years of the Horsetooth Half. What started out as a bet between friends in April 1974 has grown to become a beloved Fort Collins spring running tradition.

Whether a veteran race participant or a first-time runner, we’d love to see you on the start line to help us mark the 50th running of the race. We’d also love to see you at some of our anniversary events leading up to race day. These will include a speaker series, a pre-race meal and other events to be announced.

If you’re local, please also consider joining us at any of our free weekly training events, beginning in early January and leading all the way up to the race. The Horsetooth Half Marathon is more than a race. We believe in building community and nurturing a love for running through shared experiences.

Dominic Korir Sets New Course Record at 2022 Horsetooth Half Marathon

The 2022 Horsetooth Half Marathon marked a return to the race’s normal April time slot, with over 1,400 runners from 37 different states celebrating the spring return to racing. Now in its 49th year, race day offered up cool temperatures and some stiff winds out of the west propelling many runners to new personal bests.

None more so than at the front of the field in the men’s race, with first and second both going under the previous course record. The new men’s mark (1:06:51) was set by Colorado Spring’s Dominic Korir, while Salt Lake City’s Liz Lagoy took home the women’s title.

Race times were aided by a strong wind out of the northwest. Although challenging alongside the reservoir as a cross-wind, it turned into a huge tailwind advantage after the turn onto Bingham Hill at the race’s halfway point. Race morning temperatures ranged from the high 30s to low 50s.

In celebration of the beautiful hills that define our state and the course, we annually crown a King and Queen of the Mountain at the course high point just 1.7 miles and +500′ into the race. This year, the crowns went to Liz Lagoy (12:27) and Sean O’Connor (10:13).

Lagoy crested the top of Monster Mountain just 7 seconds ahead of Fort Collins’ Sophie Anders who pressed hard through the hills of Centennial. At the race’s halfway point, Anders had assumed control of the race and held a close to 30 second lead at the race’s halfway point. But while the hills played to Anders’ strengths, the final five miles on the bike path took their toll. With approximately three miles to go, Lagoy reassumed the lead and held it into the finish (1:20:02) where she would need to wait just 30 seconds to see Anders cross the line (1:20:32) and a further three minutes for third place Sophie Seward (1:23:37). Rounding out the top five money spots were Holly McKinney (1:24:58) and Jenna Bensko (1:25:37).

In the men’s race, Sean O’Connor’s early lead on the opening climb was quickly covered by the chase pack, and at the halfway point at the base of Bingham Hill it was Korir and 2012 NCAA Champion Lawi Lalang leading the race with Tyler McCandless just six seconds adrift in third. After giving up more time over Bingham Hill, McCandless would pick up Lalang on the bike path but just fall short of reeling in Korir who held on for the win in a new course record time of 1:06:51. McCandless time of 1:06:59 was also under the race’s previous course record, and Lalang in third posted the race’s fourth fastest time ever (1:07:40). Rounding out the top five were Will Cross (1:08:56) and Sean O’Connor (1:09:46).

It was another fast year and a nice compliment to women’s course record that was set in the fall by Sara Vaughn.

Taking home the wins and prize money in the master’s division were Anthony Bruns (1:11:13) and Janet Clements (1:39:06).

Age group award winners took home beautiful pottery awards from famed local potter Amy Hayman. In addition to our award winners, all finishers went home with a beautiful commemorative pint glass from New Belgium Brewing and a unique finisher’s medal that pairs with the fall 2021 medal to complete a single picture from the Fall/Spring Horsetooth Half Double.

In closing, we’d like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers that helped out in many different capacities to help make the 2022 running of the race a success. Thank You! We’d also like to thank our seven wonderful top-tier sponsors who have supported this year’s event with total enthusiasm.

Please visit our sponsor page to see the full list of business sponsors and non-profit volunteer organizations who helped make this year’s race a success.

Thank You!