2026 Race Updates See RunSignup
Please check out the RunSignup event page for race information including participant race day guide. We have updated the site with our Armadillo Information (AI) Live Chat assistant that can answer a lot of your questions right away. This is also where you can manage your registration with all available options (event changes, transfers, defferals, etc.)
Event Description
This is the December edition of our popular Brazos Bend races with the marquee event being the 100-mile. 2026 is the 12th Annual Brazos Bend 100!
Flat trails. Big wildlife. Texas-sized support. Welcome to the Brazos Bend 100, where your next adventure is waiting just south of Houston and Sugar Land.
Run beneath towering, Spanish moss-draped oak trees, alongside scenic lakes and bayous, and through one of Texas’ most beautiful state parks. Brazos Bend is home to an incredible variety of birds and wildlife—including the famous American alligator. Keep your distance, enjoy the view, and you might leave with your most memorable race photo yet!
With a nearly pancake-flat course featuring crushed gravel paths, shaded hiking trails, and smooth horse trails, Brazos Bend is built for first-time trail runners and experienced ultrarunners chasing a personal best. December typically brings favorable running weather, although Texas always keeps things interesting.
Come for the buckle. Stay for the community. Our 100-mile and 100K finishers earn a distinctive Brazos Bend belt buckle, supported by an enthusiastic volunteer community and Texas-sized aid stations around the course. Expect overly stocked buffet tables, encouragement, and people ready to help you keep moving toward your finish.
Chasing Western States? The 100-mile race offers an early opportunity to earn your qualifying finish and take another step toward the starting line in Olympic Valley.
You don’t have to run an ultra to experience the adventure. The half marathon and marathon are a perfect introduction to trail running and the atmosphere of an ultra weekend. Bring the family, cheer on your runners, and let the little adventurers enjoy the free kids race.
Buckle on the Bayou at Brazos Bend with Trail Racing Over Texas.
Western States 100 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-32 hour finishers will earn a lottery ticket to the following year's lottery, for the next years WSER.
Example: If you qualify in 2026 you will earn a 2027 raffle ticket for the 2028 WSER lottery.
Complete the 100-mile race within 32 hours to earn your Western States lottery qualification—no additional submission required.
Brazos Bend sent 119 runners to the qualifier list in 2024 and another 133 in 2025. Will you add your name in 2026?
The Western States qualifying period runs from November 9, 2026, through November 7, 2027, with the lottery held December 4, 2027.
We will also be live streaming the 2027 lottery draw on race day, we’ve had quite a few runners over the years find out they were selected from previous BB100 qualifiers while on the course!
Join us for the December edition of our popular Brazos Bend races and take on the marquee 100-mile challenge!
General Schedule:
See RunSignup for Details/Updates
Typically held the first Saturday of December.
Friday
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Packet Pickup & Merch: Noon to 7 PM at Elm Lake Pavilion
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Noon onwards: Personal Support Area Setup at Elm Lake, set up your canopies (no tents), chairs, coolers, gear, etc., and can leave it set up overnight, but no camping in this area.
Saturday
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Race Day Packet Pickup Elm Lake Pavilion
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100M Start: See RunSignup
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100k Start: See RunSignup
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Marathon Start: See RunSignup
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Half Marathon Start: See RunSignup
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Free Kids Race: Noon
Sunday
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Finish Line Closes (all events cutoff): 2 PM
Cutoffs
Finish Line Closes (all races end): Sunday 2 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.
Pacers & Crew
Pacer registration is open on RunSignup during the final month before the race.
100 Mile runners may have a pacer on the final two (2) loops.
100 Kilometer runners may have a pacer for the final loop only.
We will have over 400 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 (Elm Lake) after check-in and must be on foot.
Pacers will register the same way participants register, pacer bibs available at check-in or the start/finish timing tent.
Crew and spectators are allowed at any aid station in limited amounts. All of them (except Sawmill) 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 includes: Park Access/Pass, Trail Access, Parking, Shuttle, Expo Access, Pacer Bib, Aid Station Access/Support.
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 are included in registration for all registered participants, pacers, volunteers, and reserved campers.
Guest park passes purchased through TROT are required for all individuals 13 years and older. Annual Park Passes are not accepted during special events for event attendees. Guest park passes will be available on the RunSignup event store in the final month leading up to the race.
State Park camping must be reserved via the online reservation system. No car camping or overnighting at Elm Lake.
Brazos Bend Powersports & RV (map): Additional primitive camping, no-hookup RV spots, and overflow parking available across the street from the park at the Brazos Bend RV Park, reservation not required (do not contact BBRV).
MEDALS & BUCKLES
Buckles for 100M and 100k.
All finishers receive an event-specific finishers award: 100M Buckle, 100k Buckle, Marathon Medal, and Half Marathon Medal. Specific "Under xx Hours" buckles are while supplies last, new buckle design every year!
Awards and Cash Prizes
Cash prize purse for the 100 Mile:
First Place Male & Female: $800
Second Place Male & Female: $400
Third Place Male & Female: $200
Prizes for Top Overall and 10-year Age Category winner prizes for all events in both Male and Female categories: U20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
BB50 & BB100 CHALLENGE COIN
Run both the Brazos Bend 50 (50K or 50M) and the Brazos Bend 100 (100K or 100M) in the same calendar year to earn a bonus Brazos Bend Challenge Coin:
50M + 100M = 150M Coin
50M + 100K = 150K Coin
50K + 100M = 200K Coin
50K + 100K = 150K Coin
COURSE & MAPS
See the RunSignup event page for all details.
VOLUNTEER
Earn future race credits, race swag, free park pass, food, and volunteer hours (as needed). Club/Team/Group support options are available as well for aid station takeovers (please email for aid station takeovers).
More spots will be added as we approach the event.
See more info on our volunteer page: VOLUNTEER WITH TROT
SPONSORS & VENDORS
Want to be an expo vendor or sponsor? Inquire here.
Note: We do not associate with any products or services that are not sport-safe or against World Athletics Rules & Regulations (IV Treatments etc.)