Brazos Bend 50
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Event Overview
The Brazos Bend 50 is a trail running event held in April at Brazos Bend State Park near Needville, Texas. It features five race distances: 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, and 50-mile. The marquee event is the 50-mile race.
Course Details
The course is described as "the fastest trail in Texas trail running." It is 99.9% flat, with a single 10-foot hill. Runners will encounter hard crushed rock, soft hiking trails under a tree canopy, and horse trails. The event takes place in Brazos Bend State Park, which is known for its wildlife, including birds and American Alligators. The course consists of loops past various lakes within the park.
- 50 Mile: Three laps, including Horseshoe Lake, 40 Acre Lake, Hale Lake with Oxbow, and an out-and-back to Sawmill.
- 50 Kilometer: Two laps, including 40 Acre Lake, Hale Lake with Oxbow, and an out-and-back to Sawmill.
- 25 Kilometer: One lap, identical to a 50k lap.
- 10 Kilometer: One lap, including Horseshoe Lake, 40 Acre Lake, and the Nature Center.
- 5 Kilometer: One lap around Elm Lake with a short out-and-back on the causeway.
Event Support
There are three fully stocked aid stations and one unmanned water station on the course. All runners must carry their own hydration vessel, as cups are not provided. A personal support area is available for runners, families, and crews at the Elm Lake Pavilion start/finish area. The 50-mile race has a 15-hour cutoff from the start time, and the finish line closes for all races at 9:00 PM. Pacers are allowed only on the final lap of the 50-mile race, starting from the main start/finish.
Registration & Logistics
Every person aged 13 and over entering the park requires a special events State Park pass for the weekend, which is included for registered runners, pacers, and volunteers. Parking is available at designated paved lots, with a shuttle bus service running between the lots and the Elm Lake start/finish area from 4:00 AM. Camping must be reserved through the Texas State Parks reservation system. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
