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Colorado’s varied landscapes, including lakes and mountain trails, provide an ideal setting for Swimrun, offering a mix of adventure, physical challenge, and mental stimulation that appeals to athletes seeking a new and exciting experience.

Why Colorado?

Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park are ideal locations for a Swimrun event due to their scenic and varied landscapes. The event offers a combination of open-water swimming in the reservoir and trail running through Lory State Park’s diverse trails, which cater to different skill levels and provide breathtaking views. The proximity of these two venues allows for a seamless transition between swimming and running, making it an exciting and challenging experience for participants and providing event organizers with access to amenities and support infrastructure.

Getting to Colorado

To get to Fort Collins, you can take I-25 from Denver or Cheyenne, Wyoming. Once in Fort Collins, head west on Harmony Road, which becomes County Road 38E, to reach Horsetooth Reservoir, located about 6 miles west of the city. From Denver International Airport, take I-25 North to exit 269B for CO-14 W/E Mulberry St to reach Fort Collins, and then follow the directions to Horsetooth Reservoir

Around Fort Collins

Fort Collins, located about an hour north of Denver, is a vibrant city known for its historic Old Town, numerous breweries like New Belgium and Odell, and outdoor attractions such as the Cache La Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir. The city offers a variety of activities, including family-friendly spots like the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Fort Fun, as well as scenic areas like City Park and the Environmental Learning Center, making it a great destination for both relaxation and adventure

RACE INFORMATION Colorado

WE RECOMMEND STAYING IN FORT COLLINS.

  • There is plenty of lodging of all types available in Fort Collins. From there, Horsetooth is about a 20min drive.

We do not have an officially scheduled awards ceremony, we give our awards out as the winners cross the finish line. 

 

top 3 awards – World Series & Sprint Teams:

  • All Male Teams
  • All Female Teams
  • Mixed Teams

top 3 awards – World Series & Sprint Solos:

  • Male Solos
  • Female Solos

All distances have the same cut-off:

  • 14:00 Finish Line Area – This is when the race officially ends.

START/FINISH LINE + RACE COURSE

Horsetooth Reservoir & Lory State Park
Exact Address TBD

Packet Pickup

Fort Collins
Exact Location TBD

In the event of severe weather like lightning, flooding, or hurricane force winds, we will delay the event in 20-minute increments. If the weather does not improve, we will assess the situation every 20 minutes to ensure the event can still take place in some form. Our priority is the safety of our athletes, and any decisions made during severe weather will be in their best interest.

Mandatory YouTube Race Briefing (2025 Coming Soon).

MANDATORY – RACE PROVIDED

  • Swim Cap – Color coded to the event distance.
  • Number Bib (OSFA) – Each team has matching bib numbers color coded to the event distance.
  • Restube (Solo Racers Only) – Auto inflating personal flotation device (emergencies only)
         Please return at the finish line. Athletes may also use their own auto inflating or tow-behind buoy (instead), if they would like.
  • Timing Chip & Ankle Strap (1 Per Team, 1 Per Solo Racer)
         It does not matter which teammate wears the timing chip. Please return at the finish line.

MANDATORY – ATHLETE PROVIDED

  • Shoes – To be worn the entire race. Look for a light shoe with support, lots of grip, and good drainage.
  • Wetsuit – We recommend a Swimrun style wetsuit but any wetsuit is allowed. Please do not email us asking if a wetsuit is truly mandatory. It’s on this list, it’s mandatory for everyone.
  • Whistle – One per team. If you’re a solo athlete there’s a whistle built into your Restube ripcord.
  • Compression Bandage One per team. One per solo racer. We race in remote areas. This is required so that if you get cut and no one is around you can attempt to stop the bleeding. CLICK HERE to see how to use it.
  • Tether One per team. This is a precaution in the case of bad weather OR becomes mandatory if you find yourself separating from your teammate during the swim.

DAY-BEFORE PACKET PICKUP LOCATION

FORT COLLINS
Exact Location TBD

DAY-BEFORE PACKET PICKUP DATE & TIMES

SATURDAY, Oct 4, 2025

  • 13:00 – 16:00 – All races can pickup.

PACKET PICKUP RULES

  • It is mandatory to pick up your race packet the day before. 
  • We prefer that everyone picks up their own packet the day before the race and that teams come together during this time, we understand that this may not always be possible. Therefore, we allow one team member to pick up an entire team packet, as well as family members and friends to pick up packets for racers, as long as they have the registrant’s permission and a valid ID.
  • To make the check-in process quick and easy, please show your QR code at the packet pickup. We will email this to each racer the week of the event. Each QR code is specific to your registration. If you do not have your QR code, you can check in with a photo ID. You do not need to show a USA Triathlon Membership card, even though this is a USAT sanctioned event.

Can’t Pickup Your Packet the Day Before?

If you are unable to pick up your packet the day before the race, you have one more option. You can choose to pick it up on race morning by selecting “Race Morning Packet Pickup” during registration or by adding it to your RunSignup account later. This option is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who choose and pay for this option will have a pre-stuffed bag with their name on it ready for them before the race. Depending on the event, this pickup may be available before boarding a ferry to the start, or it may be at the common start/finish area. The add-on is per person, so each person on a team must select this add-on during or after they registration.

ALREADY REGISTERED AND NEED TO ADD-ON RACE MORNING PICKUP? – CLICK HERE

PACKET PICKUP ITEMS

The following items are given to each racer at packet pickup:

  • Apparel Item
  • Swim Cap
  • Collapsable Cup
  • Number Bib
  • Timing Chip & Ankle Strap
    • It doesn’t matter which teammate wears it. Please return at the end of the race.
  • Rest Tube (Solo Only)
    • Please return at the end of the race.

CLOSEST AIRPORT

  • Denver International Airport, or Den

DISTANCE TO RACE SITE

  • It’s just over an hour by vehicle from Denver International Airport to Fort Collins and about 20mins from Fort Collins to Horsetooth.

PARK ENTRY FEE

Registrant is responsible for paying their own way into the park.

  • $9 per vehicle (whenever you enter the park)

PARKING

There is plenty of parking at the finish line area which is also where everyone will park and gather in the morning before we load the busses to the start line.

RACE AREA

  • We will be posting a site map in the coming weeks/months. For now, know that parking and the finish line area will be at the South Bay of Horsetooth.

RESTROOMS

  • There are a handful permanent restroom facilities located on the course. Portable restrooms are not provided for the event, but there are indoor restrooms available at the start/finish line area.

Bag drop

  • You may place your change of clothes bag at or near the finish line before boarding the start line shuttle busses the morning of the event. We advise against putting any high-value or important items such as keys, wallet, electronics, etc., in these bags. While we have never had any issues with anyone tampering with the bags, we do not oversee their handling. Athletes are responsible for checking in and claiming their own bags based on an honor system, and we cannot be held liable for any damage, loss, or theft of property.

POST RACE FOOD & DRINK

  • All finishers will have access to post race food and drink after crossing the finish line.

WE DO NOT ALLOW:

  • Refunds on your race entry.
  • Transfers of solo or full team entries to completely different athletes. As a team you’re allowed to swap out your teammate as long as one original member stays on the team.
  • Since this is the last race of the year we do not allow transfer to any other Otillo race. The only option is really deferring to the next year.

WE DO ALLOW:

  • Deferring to next year’s race.
  • Changing teammates.
  • Changing from team to solo.
  • Changing distances.
  • Splitting a team entry into two solo entries.
  • Combining two solo entries into one team entry.
  • Refunds on add-ons like wetsuits, race morning packet pickup, and spectator boat tickets as long as they are requested more than a week prior to the race.

How-To Make Changes to Your Registration

Racers have the ability to change events, transfer to a different race, or defer their entry if they would like. It’s as simple as logging into your RunSignup account and making the change(s) yourself. If you don’t know how to do it, checkout the short RunSignup tutorials below:

All racers are required to wear a wetsuit during the swim. We suggest using a Swimrun wetsuit rather than a full-body triathlon style wetsuit because Swimrun wetsuits are lighter, more flexible, and easier to run in without overheating. However, any type of wetsuit is acceptable.

For those who do not own a wetsuit and prefer not to purchase one, we have a limited number of Ark Sports rental wetsuits available. These suits can be rented as an add-on during registration, or you can add them later by logging into your RunSignup account and editing your registration to include the rental suit.

ALREADY REGISTERED AND NEED TO ADD-ON A RENTAL WETSUIT? – CLICK HERE

If you have rented a wetsuit, you can pick it up during packet pickup. We may not have extra suits available for rent if you have not reserved one in advance, so please plan accordingly. If you rented a wetsuit and have opted for race morning packet pickup, your wetsuit will be available at that time.

After the race, please remember to remove any items from the wetsuit pockets and return it to the wetsuit tub at the finish line.

  • Please be courteous on the roads and trails. Remember, all roads and trails are open, and Pace Bend Park attracts many patrons at different times of the day. When crossing, be sure to look both ways, and when running, stay to the right to allow others to pass and share the roads and trails.
  • Minors who are under the age of 18 must obtain permission from the race director before signing up. They also need their parents to sign them up.
  • Mandatory gear is required and may be checked at any time during the race. Participants without the mandatory gear will be disqualified.
  • Teams must have a tether with them at all times, but are only required to be tethered together under certain conditions:
    • if they want to
    • if they continuously separate during swims
    • if the race organizers announce that all teams must be tethered due to weather conditions.
  • Teams must stick together at all times, and leaving a teammate behind is not allowed.
  • Participants must stay on the marked course at all times. Going off course and returning to it is not allowed.
  • Littering is prohibited, and participants should dispose of their trash in designated areas or with event volunteers.
  • It is the responsibility of each individual participant to come to the start line fully prepared.This includes familiarizing themselves with all event information provided on the website, in emails, and in videos.

Volunteers are the backbone of the race. We could not do what we do for the athletes, without volunteers. We are always in need of volunteers that are ready and willing to help with various positions during race weekend. All registered volunteers receive a t-shirt, and meal after their shift concludes. All volunteers must register via our system and check in and out for their shift. Some volunteer positions even have stipends associated with them and groups that volunteer and identify themselves as such will be eligible for a donation.

READY TO VOLUNTEER? – CLICK HERE

Every water stop will be equipped with a minimum of two coolers.

  • One cooler will contain regular water.
  • The other cooler will be filled with Precision Hydration electrolyte-infused water. You can identify this cooler by the “PH” marking on its top.
  • Additionally, most, if not all, water stops will have a bucket or container holding PH gels.

Please ensure that any trash you have is disposed of in the designated trash bag, typically tied to the handle of one of the water coolers. Leaving trash on the course or failing to use the trash bags will result in immediate disqualification and a ban from all future races.

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