Cactus Rose Endurance Trail Race
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Cactus Rose Endurance Trail Race
Cactus Rose is a multi distance trail event held October 23 to 25, 2026 at Hill Country State Natural Area in Bandera, Texas. The race uses a main 25 mile loop with a 5 mile shortcut and offers single and multiple lap formats.
Distances include:
- 5 mi
- 25 mi
- 50 mi
- 100 mi
- 5 mi ruck
- 25 mi ruck
- youth 1 mi
Course details note roughly 2500 feet of elevation change per 25 mile lap. Laps run clockwise for the first lap; for multi lap races Laps 1 and 3 are clockwise and Laps 2 and 4 are counter clockwise. Terrain is rocky with sotol cactus and minimal flat sections except around the Boyles aid station area. Boyles aid station is about a half mile hike from the Group Lodge and cannot be driven to.
Course markings include orange caution tape, yellow arrows, and frequent confidence markers; markings include reflectors for dark hours. Aid stations provide ice and water and require runners to sign in at each station except YaYa and Nachos on the first lap. The event is cupless so runners must bring a cup or bottle; collapsible cups are available for purchase at packet pickup.
The ruck division requires weighed packs: 20 lb if under 150 lb, 30 lb if over 150 lb. All races are chip timed with ankle mounted chips. Youth 1 mile is untimed and awards a finisher medal; registrants 19 and under receive an automatic discount for races ten miles or shorter.
Camping and parking are available at the park. Park access fees apply to spectators and crew; registered participants have fees covered. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
