Welcome to the Staunton Rocks! Marathon & Half, an event put on by trail runners for trail runners.
Touring the renowned singletrack of Staunton State Park in Colorado’s Front Range Mountains southwest of Denver, the race will take you back in time as you glide by historic buildings and old milling operations. The flowing trails and gradual climbs & descents will allow you to open up your running stride, while technical features scattered throughout will give your feet occasion to dance. Take in 60+ mile views from the numerous overlooks on course, run by scenic lakes and streams, and catch a glimpse of the numerous raptors that inhabit the stunning rock formations throughout the park. With runnable trails and generous cut-offs, our aim is to offer a trail running experience that is challenging, yet accessible to all.
We aspire to not only offer a first class trail racing experience on a challenging, scenic and impeccably marked course, but also a top-notch post-race experience that will leave your bellies full and the stories flowing.
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Start: Staunton State Park, Pine, Colorado
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Distance: 26.3mi (4500') or 13.1mi (2200')
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Min/Max Elevation: 8,200' / 9,500'
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Average Elevation: 9,000'
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Terrain: 90% singletrack, 10% dirt road
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Fauna: Marmots, raptors, elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions
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Registration Caps: 150 Marathon / 150 Half Marathon
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Time Allowance: Marathon: 10 Hours; Half Marathon: 9 Hours
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Date: August 22, 2026
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Start Time: Marathon: 7:00a; Half Marathon: 8:00a
Registration
Trail Sisters Approved
Marathon Race Fees:
Dec 15 - Feb 28: $110 + $7.60 fee
March 1 - May 31: $120 + $8.20 fee
June 1 - Aug 21: $130 + $8.80 fee
Half Marathon Race Fees:
Dec 15 - Feb 28: $90 + $6.40 fee
March 1 - May 31: $100 + $7.00 fee
June 1 - Aug 21: $110 + $7.40 fee
What You Get in Return for Your Registration Fee:
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A beautiful, well-marked and challenging course
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Enthusiastic, knowledgeable race and aid station staff & volunteers
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Fully stocked aid stations
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Gender specific race T-shirt
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Finisher award
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Free race photos
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Finish line meal
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and non-alcoholic options are available as part of our standard race fare
- Professional medical coverage
Waiting List
If the race fills, a waitlist will be established. If you are selected from the waitlist, you are given the opportunity to accept/decline the invitation. Your credit card will not be charged until you accept. Your fellow runners in line appreciate your prompt response.
Transfer Credit & Distance Change Policy
If you are not able to race, we will be able to offer a race transfer credit that can be applied to any future Gnar Runners race (valid for 12 months). Credit deadlines are as follows:
Until March 31: 100% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).
April 1 - June 30: 75% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).
July 1 - August 19: 50% credit of registration (excluding RunSignup fees).
**In order to receive your credit, you must cancel your registration through the RunSignup registration platform.
Deferrals:
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Log in to your RunSignup account
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Go to Profile -> Upcoming Races -> Staunton Rocks -> Manage Registration
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At the bottom of the page, select “Defer Registration” and follow the automated process.
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While RunSignup will prompt you to, you DO NOT have to immediately choose which race to apply your credit to. Once you hit "Confirm Deferral" and see the "Your registration has been deferred" message, your credit is in the system and will be valid for one year past the event date.
Distance Switch:
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Log on to your RunSignup account
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Go to Profile -> Upcoming Races -> Staunton Rocks! -> Manage Registration
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At the top, click the link to "Transfer Event"
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Follow the steps to register for the race in the new distance
Runners in the half marathon race can pay the additional registration fee to upgrade to the marathon race. There is no charge for marathon runners dropping down to the half marathon race.
The online deadline to transfer is Thursday (8/21) at midnight. It can also be done in person at packet pickup on Friday.
Cancellation Policy
Entries are non-refundable. Entries are non-transferable, except for transfers via the wait list. In the event the race is cancelled due to extreme weather, fire, disease or for some other unforeseeable event, we cannot offer refunds or credits.
Course & Aid Stations
The Marathon course will have approximately 4,500ft of vertical gain.
The Half Marathon course will have approximately 2,200ft of vertical gain.
Course Maps
[Staunton-Rocks-Map-v3.jpg]
Course GPX File
Course Profile
[Staunton-Rocks-Marathon-Elevation-Profile-v2.jpg] [Staunton-Rocks-Half-Marathon-Elevation-Profile-v2.jpg]
Aid Stations - Marathon
Aid Station Mile Split Total Gain Descent Cut-Off
Old Mill - Limited 8.4 8.4 1650 800 -
Elk Pond 3.4 11.8 350 600 -
Elk Pond 5.0 16.8 1100 1100 -
Staunton Rocks 3.5 20.3 500 750 -
Finish 6.0 26.3 900 1250 5:00p
Aid Stations - Half Marathon
Aid Station Mile Split Total Gain Descent Cut-Off
Old Mill - Limited 6.2 6.2 1450 500 -
Staunton Rocks 4.3 10.5 550 1250 -
Finish 2.6 13.1 200 450 1:00p
All full service aid stations will stock the following items:
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Gnarly Fuel2O Nutrition sports drink.
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Water and ice
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Salty snacks: Pretzels, potato chips, corn chips, etc
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Fruit: Bananas and Watermelons plus additional variety depending on what might be available
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Sweets: Cookies, M&M's, Gummy bears, etc
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Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale
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Sandwiches: PB&J, Ham & Cheese
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Plus a special treat unique to each station. In 2026, Old Mill will have oranges, Elk Pond will have bacon and Staunton Rocks will have popsicles
***There will be GF/Vegan alternatives for nearly all non-GF/V standard offerings. These are typically held back to save them for those who need them, so please ASK! Also note that while we will do our best to keep utensils and trays separated for these as well as common allergens, this is the backcountry and cross-contamination can occur.
While we will provide plenty of electrolyte options in drink mix and salty real foods, we deem the risks associated with salt in concentrated pill form to be more than we're comfortable providing. We won't restrict runners from using their own salt caps, but will not have them available at aid stations.
Course Marking
The course will be well marked with pink flagging and pink pin flags. Important intersections will be supplemented with flour ground markings and directional arrows. On longer stretches of trail without intersections, confidence flagging will be placed approximately every quarter mile. Turns will be marked heavily.
Toilets
Park restrooms are available at the Ranch Hand Start/Finish, Mason Creek Trailhead, and on the Bugling Elk Loop approaching the Elk Pond Aid Station.
If you do need to relieve yourself outside of these spots, please practice appropriate Leave No Trace principles. Aid stations will have toilet paper available.
Crew Access
Family and friends can meet their runners at the Ranch Hand Start/Finish and Mason Creek Trailheads. Crew or family vehicles will need to pay the regular $10 park entrance fee. Carpooling is highly recommended to save on park fees and limit traffic and parking congestion at the trailheads. Use the Mountain View Park 'N Ride on Highway 285 just 5 miles east of the park for carpooling.
All trails are open to the public, so family and friends are allowed to run, hike, or bike on the course; however, pacing or crewing outside designated aid stations is not allowed and will result in the disqualification of your runner.
Detailed Course Directions - Marathon
Start to Old Mill Aid Station (1st Visit):
From the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area, start west on the Davis Ponds Trail to the Chase Meadow Trail. Turn right on the Chase Meadow Trail, cross the Lazy V Road, continue on Chase Meadow until it T's with the Historic Cabins Trail, and turn right. Follow the Historic Cabins Trail a short distance to the junction with the Staunton Rocks Trail. Turn right, and follow the Staunton Rocks Trail downhill to the first intersection with the Dines Meadow Trail. Turn right on Dines Meadow, passing back by the Start/Finish and looping around past the Visitor's Center to the Mason Creek Trailhead. Follow the Mason Creek Trail around and uphill till you reach a left onto the Bear Paw Loop. Follow Bear Paw around till it turns left to rejoin Mason Creek, and that will take you into the Old Mill Aid Station.
Old Mill Aid Station (1st Visit) to Elk Pond Aid Station (1st Visit):
From the Aid Station, continue west on the Border Line Trail until you reach a big 4-way junction. Turn right at this junction on to the Bugling Elk Trail / park service road, following it around to your first visit at the Elk Pond Aid Station.
Elk Pond Aid Station (1st Visit) to Elk Pond Aid Station (2nd Visit):
From the Elk Pond Aid Station, you're taking a very sharp right (north) turn onto the West Meadow Trail. Follow it around to the 4-way intersection with Lion's Back Trail and Chimney Rock Trail, and turn right on the Lions Head Trail. Complete the lollipop loop on the Lions Head, tag the summit, and return back to the same 4-way intersection. Turn right onto Chimney Rock and loop around until the trail rejoins with the wide Lion's Back Trail, turning right (downhill) back to the Elk Pond Aid Station.
Elk Pond Aid Station (2nd Visit) to Staunton Rocks Aid Station:
From the Elk Pond Aid Station, turn right (uphill) on the single track Marmot Passage Trail. Follow it till you can turn right where the Scout Line Trail branches off of it. Continue on Scout Line to the 4-way intersection with Old Mill & Staunton Rocks, where the final aid station is located.
Staunton Rocks Aid Station to Finish:
Continue straight (uphill) on the Old Mill Trail until you reach the historic old mill, where the first aid station of the day was located. Turn right off Old Mill onto the Mason Creek Trail to the first junction with the Bear Paw Loop, where you turn right and take the loop. When Bear Paw rejoins Mason Creek, turn right again and follow Mason Creek downhill for several miles until the junction with the Dines Meadow Trail. Turn right on Dines Meadow, cross above the main parking lots and turn left into the finish.
Detailed Course Directions - Half Marathon
Start to Old Mill Aid Station:
From the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area, start due south on the Dines Meadow Trail, curving east and north as it turns into the Mason Creek Trail. Follow Mason Creek uphill and around until you reach a left onto the Bear Paw Loop. Follow Bear Paw around until it turns left to rejoin Mason Creek towards the Old Mill Aid Station.
Old Mill Aid Station to Staunton Rocks Aid Station:
From the Old Mill Aid Station, continue west on the Border Line Trail until you reach a big 4-way junction. Head straight across / slightly left at this junction onto the Marmot Passage Trail. Follow Marmot Passage a short distance until you can turn left where the Scout Line Trail branches off. Continue on Scout Line to another big 4-way intersection where the Staunton Rocks Aid Station is located.
Staunton Rocks Aid Station to Finish:
From the Staunton Rocks Aid Station, continue north onto the Old Mill Trail for a very short distance, then take a hard left onto the Staunton Rocks Trail, heading uphill. Follow the course markings carefully, take the first right heading uphill/north on a spur Climbing Access Trail, then right again after about a hundred yards onto the main Climbing Access Trail, which will connect you back to the Old Mill Trail. Turn right again, downhill, on Old Mill back to same intersection your loop started. This time, take a hard left onto the Staunton Rocks Trail heading downhill. Follow Staunton Rocks for about 2 miles, then turn right onto the Dines Meadow Trail and follow the short downhill to the main park road, which you cross into the Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area and finish.
Race Rules
Race rules are designed to provide a safe and fair experience for everyone involved and to help ensure our ability to produce the race again next year. Major rule infractions by racers will result in immediate disqualification of the racer. Please do not argue with or harass our volunteers. Please direct any questions and feedback to us here.
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The Marathon will be limited to 10 hours and will end at 5:00pm. The Half Marathon will be limited to 9 hours and will end at 5:00p.
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At each aid station, volunteers will record runner bib numbers. Runners are responsible for making sure that aid station volunteers record their number. Please make sure that your bib number is visible from the front and call out and confirm your number when passing through an aid station. This is important so that we can keep track of runners and know that you are not lost or injured.
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If you need to drop out of the race for any reason, you must check out with the nearest aid station.
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Purposeful littering is prohibited and will result in an immediate disqualification.
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Stay on the trail. No bushwhacking or short cutting. In case of wet trail conditions, please run through any muddy sections to avoid widening the trail. Yield to pedestrian and horses. Mountain bikers should yield to runners, but please use common sense in all circumstances.
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Pacers are not allowed. Crewing is allowed at designated aid stations only.
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No mechanical aid (poles, traction devices, etc.) unless approved by race staff prior to the race for a specific reason.
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Dogs are not allowed on the course with runners.
Schedule
Friday 8/21:
4:00-7:00p: Optional Packet Pickup at Staunton State Park - Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area - Runners coming Friday will need their own parks pass
Saturday 8/22:
6:00a: Staunton State Park Open to Runners
6:00-6:45a: Marathon Check-In & Packet Pickup
6:55a: Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
7:00a: Marathon Race Start
7:00-7:45a: Half Marathon Check-In & Packet Pickup
7:55a: Half Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
8:00a: Half Marathon Race Start
9:45a: Lead Half Marathon Runners Finish
10:00a: Post-Race Meal Opens
10:45a: Lead Marathon Runners Finish
11:00a: Half Marathon Awards, offered on rolling basis
12:00p: Marathon Awards, offered on rolling basis
5:00p: Finish Cut-Off
Parking & Directions
Runner parking at the park itself will only be for carpools of 2 or more registered runners.
Parking at Staunton will be available beginning at 6:00am. Passes for carpooled runners are covered as part of your race entry fee, and you'll receive your pass from our parking crew when you arrive at the park race morning.
Race traffic will be directed first to the Meadow Overflow lot, followed by the Meadow lot. Both lots are roughly a half mile walk from the start/finish. Please follow directions from the parking marshals and plan sufficient time to arrive and park.
All vehicles with a single registered runner will be directed to park at the Mountain View Park N Ride, 5 miles from the park, and take one of our race-provided shuttles, which will start running by 6:00a. Please arrive at the park & ride at least an hour before your start time if you plan to take the shuttles.
Runner drop-off is allowed at the park entrance. Turn in to the main park road off of Elk Creek Road, and proceed to the first parking marshal. Tell them you are just dropping off a runner, and they will direct you to turn left, disembark your runner, and circle back out of the park. Runners getting dropped off will have approximately a half mile walk from the drop off to the start.
Runners are welcome & encouraged to make a new friend in the PnR lot on race morning to drive in together. You can also post rideshare offers/requests on our Facebook Event.
Runners are welcome to leave a bag at the start/finish for post-race access (especially those runners taking the shuttle). Please label your bag with your name and bib number (we'll have duct tape & sharpies at packet pickup if you forget).
Any crews or spectators will be required to have a Colorado State Parks Annual Pass or purchase a park entry pass on-site for $10.
Please be mindful of additional park traffic that will arrive throughout the day.
Driving Directions
12102 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, Colorado 80470