The Fort Collins Running Club and Gnar Runners have announced that the 48th running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon, traditionally held on the third Sunday in April, will be rescheduled for Sunday, November 14th.
We are heartened to see progress being made on three separate Coronavirus vaccines, with FDA approval seemingly imminent. After a very tough year, we hope that these vaccines will prove effective in saving lives and allow a return to normality.
Our goal for the 2021 Horsetooth Half is to offer as close-to-normal a race experience as we can, and we believe pushing the race date back to late fall offers the best chance of making that happen.
While there still remain many unknowns as to how exactly the 2021 event will look, the Fort Collins Running Club has decided upon this initial plan of action:
- The race will take place on November 14 at the usual time (8:30a), on the usual course (Dixon Canyon to New Belgium Brewing) under what we hope will be close to normal circumstances.
- The initial race cap will be 1,000 runners. This is subject to change based on input from County Health and our other permitting partners. There is hope that we will approach our typical field size (2,000).
- Those with deferred entries from 2020 will have a priority window to register for the 2021 event. This window will open Tuesday, December 15 and an invite to register will be sent to all deferred entrants. Regular registration will open Friday, December 18. Deferrals can also register anytime through race day as long as there are spots once general registration has opened.
- Deferred entries from 2020 will be good for use in 2021, 2022 or 2023. If you choose not to use your deferral in 2021, it will remain valid for two more years. After our 50th anniversary in 2023, deferrals will expire.
- If you have a deferred 2020 registration, you can expect to receive an email with specific details on how to claim your free 2021 entry prior to Dec 15.
We will strive to offer as close to a normal race experience as we can, but will prioritize safety above all else. We will adhere to any and all protocols required by the Larimer County Department of Public Health in order to produce a safe event. We hope these will be minimal, but only time will tell.
We’re also extending our COVID registration guarantee. If the race is cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus in 2021, we will again offer a 100% deferral opportunity.
We also hope to be able to offer a version of the typical RunningU training program in the lead-up to the event, contingent on public health advice.
Thank you all for your understanding and patience during this time. And here’s to a safe, healthy and ever-closer-to-normal 2021.
The Fort Collins Running Club & Gnar Runners
