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!
