Event Description
This is the December edition of our popular Brazos Bend races with the marquee event being the 100-mile.
The Brazos Bend course is the fastest trail in Texas trail running. The course is 99.9% flat, and the only hill is 10 feet. Other than that you will be running on flat surfaces that move from hard crushed rock, soft hiking trails under tree canopy, and smooth horse trails. Conditions in December can have a mix of anything but are typically great conditions for running. Brazos Bend is a spectacular State Park located just South of Houston/Sugar Land and is most known for its abundance of birds and American Alligators among other wildlife. The gators are a part of our race, there has never been an incident in the park. Enjoy them on your run, from a distance, and you may get some unique race photos!
Western State Qualifier
The Brazos Bend 100 miler distance has been an official Western States Endurance Run qualifying race for over five years. Since BB100 is held in early December, around the same time as the WSER lottery, our sub-30 hour finish will earn you a lottery ticket to the following year's lottery for the next years WSER.
Example: If you qualify in 2024 you will earn a 2025 raffle ticket for the 2026 WSER lottery. Must finish under 30 hours to qualify. Official letter from WSER for 2023 (stay tuned for 2024 update later in the year):
"We [WSER] are pleased to inform you that the 2023 Brazos Bend 100 has been selected as a qualifying race for the 2025 Western States 100. Runners who complete the race within 30 hours will qualify to enter a lottery where the runners for Western States will be selected. You do not need to submit anything to us, we will obtain the results directly from your website.
The qualifying period for the 2025 Western States will be from November 6, 2023 through November 3, 2024. The lottery will be held on December 7, 2024 and the race itself will be run on June 28-29, 2025."
Registration and Waitlist
We are excited to have a new registration system on RunSignup for 2024 that offers many solutions you have been requesting. Features include: a more streamline registration experience, cancellation insurance option, referral cash and swag bonuses, volunteer management, TROT race bundle discounts, deferral & swapping options, and more. If you want run run Brazos in December you should be registered by September to secure your spot in this annual sell-out race. Registration opens April 1st HERE.
Brazos Bend 50 in April is open here.
2024 Tentative Schedule
The current schedule is subject to changes.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024:
Packet Pickup sponsored by Altra Running and Good Times Running Co.
Noon to 7 PM at Good Times Running Co,
22764 Westheimer Pkwy #650, Katy, TX 77450
Friday, December 6th, 2024
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Packet Pickup & Merch: Noon to 7 PM at Elm Lake Pavilion
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Personal Support Area Setup at Elm Lake, set up your canopies, chairs, gear, etc. and can leave it setup overnight but no camping in this area.
Saturday, December 7th, 2024
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Packet Pickup Elm Lake Pavilion (Ultra Runners Only till 7 AM): 5 AM to 8:30 AM
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100M Start: 6:30 AM
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100k Start: 7 AM
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Marathon Start: 7:30 AM
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Half Marathon Start: 8 AM
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Free Kids Race: TBD
Sunday, January 7th, 2024
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Finish Line Closes (all events cutoff): 2 PM
Cutoffs
Finish Line Closes (all races end): Sunday 2:00 PM
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32H 100MI
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31.5H 100k
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31H Marathon
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30.5H Half Marathon
Race Director will assess each runners progress and has the ultimate decision, along with the Medical Director and Park Staff, throughout the event for runners to continue additional loops or not for their own safety, venue permit timing, and courtesy to our staff and volunteers.
Note that runners must be under 30H for WSER qualification.
Dropdown & Distance Changes
See your race registration on RunSignup to make changes to your regisration.
Aid Station and Support
WE RELY ON VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE REGISTER HERE.
Brazos Bend 100 will have a total of four fully stocked aid stations on the course.
ALL runners must carry a form of hydration (bottle, flask, bladder, etc.) there will be NO cups at the aid stations.
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40 Acre Lake Aid Station (no drop bags)
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Big Creek Aid Station Outbound (no drop bags)
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Sawmill Turnaround Aid Station
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Big Creek Aid Station Inbound (no drop bags)
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Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station
Runners, family, friends, and crew are encouraged to set up their own hang-out support area around the large grass area at the start/finish for extended rest periods, personal gear, and preferences for food and hydration. It is common for clubs, teams, and families to have a tent set up to enjoy the day. There is no camping at Elm Lake Pavilion.
Food trucks at the start/finish.
Drop Bags for Sawmill Turnaround can be dropped at Elm Lake during packet pickup and will return around 3 PM on Sunday. Drop bags for start/finish can be left on the provided tarp next to the aid station or at your own personal area in front of Elm Lake Pavilion for access between loops.
Aid Station Items (subject to change/while quantities last for non-critical items):
Fluids: Water, Ice, Gatorade, and Base Performance (NO CUPS)
Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange.
Electrolytes: Base Performance and Table Salt
Sweet: Cookies, Candy, Peanut Butter, Nutella
Salty: Pringles, Trail Mix, Chips
Food: Sandwiches (PB&J, Nutella, PB, etc), Bean burrito rolls, fruit (bananas and oranges)
Medical: Bandages, Vasoline, Band Aids (limited), etc. ( NO NSAIDS e.g. ibuprofen) , Feminine Care Products, Wildsense: Chaffing Balm and Bug Spray.
Cooking (evening only): Grilled Cheese, Quesadillas, Soup, Noodles, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Ramen, Potatoes, and other "fun ultra concoctions".
Other: Cooling bucket, Gatoritas (hot weather), and other surprises!
We will have everything you need at our aid stations and usually throw in something extra at each event to make it fun. It's not uncommon to see cakes, pies, watermelons, etc… You never know what the surprise will be!
Aid stations are for registered runners only, during the event (not before). Serving is by our volunteers and staff only. Crew members are not to use aid station supplies. Runners and crew are encouraged to have their own supply, especially for particular items, such as preferred gel, or certain diet requirements. You must bring your own cup/hydration device.
Drop Bags
Drop Bags for Sawmill Turnaround can be dropped at Elm Lake during packet pickup and will return around 3 PM on Sunday. Drop bags for start/finish can be left on the provided tarp next to the aid station or at your own personal area in front of Elm Lake Pavilion for access between loops.
Pacers & Crew
Tentative Pacer Plan:
Pacer registration (required) will become available closer to the event, stay tuned.
100 Mile runners may have a pacer on the final three (3) loops, after halfway.
100 Kilometer runners may have a pacer for the final loop only.
We will have over 300 ultra runners and tons of support, you will not be alone!
NO pacers in the marathon, or half marathon events.
You may only have 1-person pacing you at a time. Pacers can only start/finish at the Main Start/Finish after check-in and must be on foot.
Pacers will register the same way participants register, stay tuned for pacer registration opening by November 1st.
Crew is allowed at any aid station in limited amounts. All of them you will need to shuttle, walk, or bike to access (there is not stopping a vehicle at an aid station). Crew can not use aid station supplies. Pacers have full access to the aid stations (same as registered runners).
Crew, pacer, and support numbers will be limited by vehicle, support for individuals should carpool in a single vehicle. Excessive amounts of vehicles per runner will not be permitted to enter the park (there will be no parking available). All individuals associated with the race, including crew, support, pacers are permitted to ride the parking shuttles in the park for access to Elm Lake pavilion.
Pacer registration will require park pass payment (runners, do not purchase extra passes for your pacers).
Passes, Parking, and Camping
Driving and parking on paved surfaces only, areas will be designated and guided by park staff. Park police will strictly monitor for speed and cars stopped on roadways. Shuttles will run between parking lots and the Elm Lake Start/Finish.
Park passes required for all individuals 13 years and older. Annual Park Passes are not accepted during special events for event attendees. Park passes are included in runner and pacer registration fees, additional passes available as add-ons to your registration closer to the event.
State Park camping must be reserved via the online reservation system. No car camping or overnighting at Elm Lake.
Additional primitive camping and no-hookup RV spots will be available across the street from the park at the Brazos Bend RV Park, stay tuned for pass sales (do not contact BBRV).
SHIRT & 100M HOODIES
The ugly Christmas sweater designs were back for 2023 with a very soft shirt for the marathon and half and awesome hoodies for the ultramarathoners. Extra shirts and other swag will be available at the merchandise table. Thanks to our sponsor Altra and apparel supporter Recover Brands.
Stay tuned for 2024 designs!
MEDALS & BUCKLES
Buckles for 100M and 100k based on finishing time as well as a general finisher buckle.
Half Marathon, and Marathon finisher medals - stay tuned for 2024 designs.
COURSE & MAPS
VOLUNTEER
Earn future race credits, race swag, free park pass, food, and volunteer hours (as needed). Club support options are available as well for team aid station takeovers.
See more info on our volunteer page: VOLUNTEER WITH TROT
SPONSORS
