Blue Sky Marathon
Fort Collins, United States of America · Saturday 17 October 2026
The event covers a distance of approximately 26.7 miles for the full marathon and 13.4 miles for the half marathon, taking place primarily on dirt singletrack trails with a small portion on rocky paths and dirt roads. The course begins at the Blue Sky Trailhead at Horsetooth Mountain Park, situated west of Fort Collins, Colorado.
Difficulty Calculator
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:m
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Adjusted Time
4:44:09
Time difference: +44.1 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain1064m
Elevation High1982m
Elevation Low1626m
Weather Forecast
High21°C
Low-1°C
Chance of Rain0%
How hard is Blue Sky Marathon?
Very Difficultharder than 88% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Blue Sky Marathon plays about 37 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #138 hardest of 1151 marathons we analyse, and #75 of 576 in United States of America. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Blue Sky Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Blue Sky Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:21:17 | +21:17 |
| 3:30:00 | 4:02:05 | +32:05 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:44:09 | +44:09 |
| 4:30:00 | 5:27:22 | +57:22 |
| 5:00:00 | 6:11:40 | +1:11:40 |
| 5:30:00 | 6:57:00 | +1:27:00 |
| 6:00:00 | 7:43:17 | +1:43:17 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Blue Sky Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Blue Sky Marathon is a full marathon held in Fort Collins, United States of America. It is scheduled for Saturday 17 October 2026. The course is run on road surface with 1064m of total climbing, with its high point near 1982m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Blue Sky Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very challenging course with 1064m of total climbing - well above the average road marathon - topping out around 1982m above sea level. Hill training is essential, and you should expect a slower finish time than on a flat course.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for October, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from -1°C to 21°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Road
Blue Sky Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Blue Sky Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If Blue Sky Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
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