Staunton Rocks! Marathon & Half
About this race
A trail race at Staunton State Park featuring renowned single-track past historic buildings and old milling operations. The course offers flowing trails with gradual climbs and descents, technical features, scenic overlooks with 60+ mile views, lakes, streams, and wildlife.
Choose your distance
Marathon
What's included in your entry
- Well-marked, challenging course
- Experienced race staff and fully stocked aid stations
- Gender-specific race t-shirt
- Finisher award & free race photos
- Finish-line meal — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free & non-alcoholic options
- Professional medical coverage
The course
The course is 90% single-track and 10% dirt road, from 8,200' to 9,500' (avg ~9,000'), with renowned single-track, historic buildings and old milling operations, scenic 60+ mile overlooks, lakes, streams, and wildlife (marmots, raptors, elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions).
Marking: pink flagging and pin flags, flour markings and directional arrows at key intersections, confidence flagging every quarter mile on longer stretches, heavy markings at turns.
Race weekend timeline
Aid-station cut-off times
| Marathon | 10 hours (5:00 pm) |
| Half Marathon | 9 hours (5:00 pm) |
If you're not leaving an aid station by its cut-off you'll get a ride back to the finish. Sweeps leave at cut-off, taking course markings with them.
Aid stations
Marathon: Old Mill (limited) 8.4, Elk Pond 11.8, Elk Pond 16.8, Staunton Rocks 20.3, Finish 26.3.
Half: Old Mill (limited) 6.2, Staunton Rocks 10.5, Finish 13.1.
Provisions: Gnarly Fuel2O, water, ice, salty snacks, fruit, sweets, soda, PB&J and ham-and-cheese sandwiches; bacon at Elk Pond, popsicles at Staunton Rocks; GF/vegan alternatives on request. Bring your own salt caps.
Getting there & lodging
Directions
- Address: 12102 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80470. Carpools of 2+ get free park entry and park in the Meadow lots (~0.5 mi walk).
- Solo runners park at the Mountain View Park-n-Ride (5 mi away); race shuttles start by 6:00 am — arrive 1+ hour before your start. Runner drop-off is allowed at the park entrance.
- Crew/spectators need a CO State Parks annual pass or $10 day fee; crew access at the Ranch Hand start/finish and Mason Creek trailheads only.
Camping & lodging
- 25 primitive campsites on-site at Staunton State Park.
- Conifer (5 mi NE) has hotels and Airbnbs; Pine Junction (2 mi SW) has more limited options.
Good to know
- Trail Sisters Approved. Time limits strictly enforced (10 hrs marathon, 9 hrs half). No mechanical aid (poles, traction devices) without prior approval.
- Bib must be visible and confirmed at each aid station; check out if you drop. No pacers; crewing at aid stations only. No dogs on course.
- Distance changes online until Thursday, Aug 21 at midnight (also at Friday packet pickup): Half → Marathon for an added fee, Marathon → Half free.
- Park restrooms at the Ranch Hand start/finish, the Mason Creek Trailhead, and on the Bugling Elk Loop near the Elk Pond aid station.
- Transfer/defer credit: 100% until Mar 31, 75% to Jun 30, 50% to Aug 19 (excluding RunSignup fees), valid 12 months. Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable except via the waitlist.
Awards
All finishers receive a marathon or half finisher award. Divisions: Overall, Under 40, Masters (40–49), Grandmasters (50+) — top 3 men's and women's each, plus non-binary overall top 3.
Discounts, deferrals & transfers
Plans change. Discounts, deferral windows, and bib-transfer rules are the same across every Gnar Runners race — see the details on our Discounts & Deferrals page.
Who puts this on
Directed by Nick Clark & Brad Bishop. Questions? Email racedirector@gnarrunners.com.