Event Description
This is the April edition of our popular Brazos Bend races with the marquee event being the 50-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 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
2023 Schedule
FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST
Noon - 7:00 PM: Packet Pickup and Bag Drop at Elm Lake Pavilion
SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST
4:00 AM - 5:30 AM: Bag Drop at Elm Lake Pavilion
4:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Packet Pickup at Elm Lake Pavillion
ALL RACES START AND FINISH AT ELM LAKE PAVILLION
6 AM: 50-MILE START
7 AM: 50-KILOMETER START
7:45 AM: 25K START
8:30 AM: 10K START
9:00 AM: 5K START
9:30 PM: FINISH LINE CLOSES (FINAL CUTOFF)
IT IS RECOMMENDED TO ARRIVE (PARK) ONE HOUR PRIOR TO YOUR EVENT TO ALLOW TIME FOR SHUTTLE AND PACKET PICKUP.
Cutoffs
The 50-mile has a cutoff of 15h30m from the start of the race (gun time). No finishers, for any event, will be official after 9:30 PM.
The race director will monitor the progress of athletes and make a call on the final lap cutoff based on ability to complete within the time limit. All runners must be off the course at 9:30 PM.
Dropdown & Event Change
You may change your registered event during open registration on UltraSignup per the TROT policies.
Aid Station and Support
Brazos Bend 50 will have a total of four fully stocked aid stations 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. 5k runners should plan on completing the race self-supported (no aid station on course).
See the course map and aid station distances below...
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Start/Finish Main Aid Station - for all events post-race and between laps
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40 Acre (10k, 25k, 50k, and 50M)
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Gravel Pit (25k, 50k, and 50M. Visited twice during the loop inbound/outbound)
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Sawmill (25k, 50k, and 50M)
Runners, family, friends, and crew are encouraged to set up their own hang-out support area around the large grass area at Elm Lake Pavillion for extended rest periods, personal gear, and preferences for food and hydration. It is common for clubs, teams, and families to have a tent (no camping) set up to enjoy the day.
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
We will have a sign for each aid station (listed above) at Elm Lake Pavilion to have personal aid station drop bags delivered and returned. Bags should be small and labeled with your name and the aid station. Drop bags must be delivered by 5:30 AM and will be returned as the aid stations are closed, by ~9 PM). Unclaimed bags will be held at our warehouse for 2 weeks.
Pacers & Crew
Pacers are only allowed on the final lap of the 50k and 50M and must remain with their runner at all times. Pacers can only start at the main Elm Lake Start/Finish. 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 UltraSignup, is free, but requires the park pass and listing of the registered participant they will be pacing. Option to add-on a race shirt.
The deadline to register as a pacer is the same a registration close, the day before the event.
Crew should only assist their runners around the designated aid stations (not on course). Only runners, pacers, and volunteers can utilize aid station supplies.
Park Passes & Camping
Every person 13 and over entering the park will require a special events State Park pass for the weekend which includes park entry, 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.
Camping must be reserved through the online reservation system: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
Tentrr has some camping options at Sawmill Aid Station: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
The RV Park across from the street is another option: https://www.bbrvtx.com/rv-park
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.
New this year, we will have two school buses running between parking sites.
SWAG
Choice between shirt OR other item at registration, finsher medals for all runners in 5k to 50k, buckles for 50M.
MEDALS & AWARDS
50 Mile Buckles (stay tuned for image)
5k, 10k, 25k, 50k real pine slice medals:
MAPS & COURSE INFO
50 MILE COURSE
Start at Elm Lake with the 5K Loop (red arrows), see below 5K Loop description.
Finish with three (3) times of the 25K Loop (blue arrows), see below 25K Loop description.
Checkpoint | Total Mileage | Distance to Next Aid (mi) |
|---|---|---|
Start | 0 | 3.1 |
Elm Lake End Lap 1 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
40 Acre | 6.2 | 4.9 |
Gravel Pit Outbound | 11.1 | 3.2 |
Sawmill | 14.2 | 3.2 |
Gravel Pit Inbound | 17.4 | 1.3 |
Elm Lake End Lap 2 | 18.7 | 3.1 |
40 Acre | 21.8 | 4.9 |
Gravel Pit Outbound | 26.7 | 3.2 |
Sawmill | 29.9 | 3.2 |
Gravel Pit Inbound | 33 | 1.3 |
Elm Lake End Lap 3 | 34.4 | 3.1 |
40 Acre | 37.4 | 4.9 |
Gravel Pit Outbound | 42.3 | 3.2 |
Sawmill | 45.5 | 3.2 |
Gravel Pit Inbound | 48.7 | 1.3 |
Elm Lake Finish | 50 |
25K AND 50K COURSE
Start at Elm Lake, one (1) 25K Loop for 25K and two (2) 25K loops for 50K
The 25K Loop starts at Elm Lake and runs counter-clockwise, goes around Horseshoe Lake Loop, around 40 Acre Lake Loop, around Hale Lake Loop before crossing the road to the Gravel Pit Aid Station (outbound), out-and-back to Sawmill Aid Station, crossing the road after Gravel Pit (inbound) and heading straight back to Elm Lake Pavilion.
Note that the 50M, 50K, and 25K all use this same loop.
Checkpoint | Total Mileage | Distance to Next Aid (mi) |
|---|---|---|
Start | 0 | 3.1 |
40 Acre | 3.1 | 4.9 |
Gravel Pit Outbound | 8 | 3.2 |
Sawmill | 11.1 | 3.2 |
Gravel Pit Inbound | 14.3 | 1.3 |
Elm Lake 25K | 15.6 | 3.1 |
40 Acre | 18.7 | 4.9 |
Gravel Pit Outbound | 23.6 | 3.2 |
Sawmill | 26.8 | 3.2 |
Gravel Pit Inbound | 29.9 | 1.3 |
Elm Lake 50K | 31.3 |
10K COURSE
Start at Elm Lake, the 10k is a single loop, going counter-clockwise, to the Horseshoe Lake Loop - this is the ONLY race to do a short out-and-back to Big Creek Loop before continuing out to 40 Acre Lake (the only aid station on the 10K course) at three (3) miles (about halfway) before heading back to the finish at Elm Lake Pavilion.
5K COURSE
Start at Elm Lake, the 5k is a single loop, going counter-clockwise, to the Horseshoe Lake Loops then doing a short out-and-back on the causeway between Elm and 40 Acre Lakes, before returning to finish at Elm Lake Pavilion.
Note the 50 Mile event will start with a 5K loop.
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
