Event Description
This is the April edition of our popular Brazos Bend races with the marquee event being the 50-mile.
Registration for the Brazos Bend 100 (Dec 7) opens on April 1st on RunSignup.
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 easy horse trails. Conditions in the Spring are typically warm and humid but can still start with some cooler mornings. 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!
- FASTEST TRAIL IN THE USA -
2019 PATRICK REAGAN FASTEST 100M ON A REAL TRAIL 12:21:43
2019 CALUM NEFF FASTEST 50K ON TRAIL IN THE YEAR 2:59:00
2016 CAROLINE BOLLER 50 MILE WOMENS TRAIL RECORD 5:48:01
2016 MAGGIE GUTERL 3RD FASTEST 100 MILE RUN IN THE US 14:47:02
2025 Schedule
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2ND
Noon - 7:00 PM: Bib Pickup at Good Times Running Co.
22764 Westheimer Pkwy #650, Katy, TX 77450
YOU CAN PICKUP FOR OTHER RUNNERS AND PICKUP PARK PASSES
FRIDAY, APRIL 4TH
Noon - 7:00 PM: Packet and Park Pass Pickup, Runner Support Area Setup, and Bag Drop at Elm Lake Pavilion Start/Finish, Brazos Bend State Park - proceed directly to Elm Lake for Park Pass.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5TH
4:00 AM School Bus Shuttle Begins between from Nature Center/40 Acre/Main Entrance Parking Lots to Elm Lake Start/Finish
4:00 AM - 5:30 AM: Bag Drop at Elm Lake Pavilion
4:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Packet Pickup at Elm Lake Pavilion
ALL RACES START AND FINISH AT ELM LAKE PAVILLION
6 AM: 50-MILE START
7 AM: 50-KILOMETER START
7:30 AM: 25K START
8:00 AM: 10K START
8:30 AM: 5K START
NOON: Free Kids Race
9:00 PM: FINISH LINE CLOSES (FINAL CUTOFF FOR ALL RACES)
IT IS RECOMMENDED TO ARRIVE (PARK) AT LEAST ONE HOUR PRIOR TO YOUR EVENT TO ALLOW TIME FOR SHUTTLE AND PACKET PICKUP. YOUR TIME STARTS WHEN THE GUN GOES FOR YOUR EVENT, NOT WHEN YOU CROSS THE START LINE. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY PACKET PICKUPS.
NO TENTS OVERNIGHT AT ELM LAKE - OPEN CANOPIES ALLOWED
Cutoffs
The 50-mile has a cutoff of 15H from the start of the race (gun time). No finishers, for any event, will be official after 9:00 PM. ALL RACES, FINISH LINE CLOSE AT 9 PM.
The race & medical director will monitor the progress of athletes and make a call on the final lap cutoff based on the ability to complete within the time limit. All runners must be off the course at 9:00 PM.
Dropdown & Event Change
You may change your registered event during open registration on RunSignup per the TROT policies. Please login to your RunSignup account to manage your registration for changes.
Aid Station and Support
Brazos Bend 50 will have a total of three fully stocked aid stations, and one unmanned water station, on the course. Depending on your event distance you will visit between 1 and 5 aid stations each loop. ALL runners must carry a form of hydration (bottle, flask, bladder, etc.) there will be NO cups at the aid stations. 10k runners should especially carry what they need as there is a long section before the full aid station (water/Gatorade between).
See the course map and aid station distances below:
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Start/Finish Main Aid Station and Personal Support Area - for all events post-race and between laps
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40 Acre will have unmanned water fillup only (all events except the 5k)
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Nature Center Aid Station (all events)
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Sawmill Aid Station (50M, 50K, and 25K only)
Note: There are drinkable water spouts along the Sawmill out-and-back trail.
PERSONAL SUPPORT AREA: Runners, family, friends, and crew are encouraged to set up their own hang-out support area around the large grass area at Elm Lake Pavilion for extended rest periods, canopies, personal gear, and preferences for food and hydration. It is common for clubs, teams, and families to have a open canopy (no camping, no camping tents) set up to enjoy the day. Setup can start on Friday at Noon.
Aid Station Items (subject to change/while quantities last):
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Fluids: Water, Ice, Gatorade, and Base Performance
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Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange.
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Electrolytes: Base Performance and Table Salt
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Bars: Base Performance Bars
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Sweet: Cookies, Candy, Peanut Butter, Nutella
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Salty: Pringles, Trail Mix, Chips
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Food: Sandwiches (PB&J, Nutella, PB, etc), Bean burrito rolls, fruit (bananas and oranges)
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Medical: Bandages, Vasoline, Band Aids (limited), etc. ( NO NSAIDS e.g. ibuprofen) , Feminine Care Products
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Trail Toes at all aid stations with tape
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Cooking (evening only): Grilled Cheese, Quesadillas, Soup, Noodles, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Ramen, Potatoes, and other "fun ultra concoctions".
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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 or certain diet requirements.
Drop Bags
Drop Bags for 50 Milers will be at the Sawmill Aid Station only.
50M participants may drop a small drop bag at Elm Lake Pavilion. Bags should be small and labeled with your name. Drop bags must be delivered by 5:30 AM Saturday and will be returned as the aid station is closed and packed up, by ~10 PM). Unclaimed bags will be held at our warehouse for 2 weeks before being disposed.
Pacers & Crew
Pacers are only allowed on the final lap of the 50M and must remain with their runner at all times. Pacers can only start at the main Elm Lake Start/Finish and be on foot. Each athlete is only allowed ONE pacer unless under special approved circumstances.
Registered participants that will also pace after completing their own event, do not need to register as a pacer, but should check in at the timing tent prior to pacing to receive a separate bib.
Registration as a pacer is done the same way as a participant through RunSignup, and will open in March. Pacer registration includes park entry, insurance, and race support.
Pacer registration will remain open through race day.
Crew should only assist their runners around the designated aid stations (not on course). Only runners, pacers, and volunteers can utilize aid station supplies.
No pacers allowed in the 5k, 10k, 25k, or 50k events (unless under special safety circumstances and agreed to in advance by the race director). You will not be alone on the trails, plenty of runners of all paces on very smooth easy to follow trails.
Park Passes & Camping
See the TROT Online Store to purchase additional park entries (not required for registered runners, registered pacers, volunteers, 12yo and under, or registered campers).
Every person 13 and over entering the park will require a special events State Park pass for the weekend which includes park entry, parking shuttle, trail use, parking, nature center, bathrooms, and park support. This fee goes directly to Brazos Bend State Park. Receipt of digital payment should be shown at packet pickup in exchange for wristbands for the weekend. You may pick up pre-purchased wristbands for others with a digital receipt.
Camping and RV spots can be booked via the Texas State Parks Online Reservation system or by calling the park directly. Private reservations made with the park will include your special events pass (please show reservation at packet pickup to receive wristband).
Camping at the event area, parking lots, pavilions, and Car Camping is NOT allowed. Park staff will be checking vehicles left overnight in parking areas. No tents allowed overnight at Elm Lake (open canopies).
Camping must be reserved through the online reservation system: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
BRAZOS BEND RV, The RV/ATV Mud Park across from the street has car camping and RV Parking (no hookups). Water will be available. Grey water can be open. Black water closed. No need to contact BBRV, they have room for you.
The closest accommodation will be AirBnB and hotels in Rosenburg and Sugar Land.
*Volunteers will receive a complimentary wristband
PARKING & SHUTTLE
You must park in designated, paved, parking spots only. Any vehicle stopped on grass, roadway, shoulder, illegally parked, or otherwise, will be ticketed and towed by park police.
There is NO parking or stopping directly in front of Elm Lake Pavillion. Limited parking spots are located along Elm Lake road.
Main Parking: Located at the Nature Center, 1/4-1/2mi walk to Elm Lake.
Second Lot: Overflow will begin at 40-acre, a shuttle will be necessary to/from Elm Lake
Overflow: Located across from 40-acre near the main park entrance, a shuttle will be necessary to/from Elm Lake.
Shuttle bus will begin at the Nature Center lot, then move to 40-acre and overflow and will run between the lots and Elm Lake all day, return rides as requested from the pavilion. Please leave about 1 hour to get parked and to Elm Lake.
School bu shuttles will run from 4 AM to 8 PM with van shuttle by request after-hours.
2025 SWAG
Shirt order deadline is Friday, March 21st to guarantee your size for this years shirt. No size changed till after all races have started. No shipping swag for no-shows.
Thank you to our apparel partner Recover Brands for the amazing shirts:
2024 BUCKLES & MEDALS
MAPS & COURSE INFO
The courses will be clearly marked, but it is on you to know the course - at the minimum, you should understand the loop you are supposed to be on, and the sections you are not supposed to be on. If ever confused, stop at the intersection and read the signs / follow the arrows for your event. The trails between intersections will have little to no markings unless needed. Once past an intersection, remain on that trail until next signage directs you. Before the start of every race the race director will give final instructions and directions.
50 Mile - Three laps includes Horseshoe Lake, 40 Acre Lake, Hale Lake with Oxbow, Out-and-Back to Sawmill.
50 Kilometer - Two laps includes 40 Acre Lake, Hale Lake with Oxbow, Out-and-Back to Sawmill (same as 50 Mile course without the Horseshoe Lake loop).
25 Kilometer - One lap includes 40 Acre Lake, Hale Lake with Oxbow, Out-and-Back to Sawmill (same as the 50k lap, same as 50 Mile course without the Horseshoe Lake loop).
10 Kilometer - One lap includes Horseshoe Lake, 40 Acre Lake, Nature Center.
5 Kilometer - One lap with Elm Lake and a short out-and-back on the causeway before the Nature Center.
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
