Franklin Mountains Trail Runs
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Event overview
The Franklin Mountains Trail Runs take place on January 24-25, 2026 at Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Unit, 2900 Tom Mays Access Rd., El Paso, TX. Runner capacity is listed as 250 for Saturday and 250 for Sunday. The event organizer lists these included items for entrants: a gender specific race shirt, a finisher's medal, and the state park entry fee. Registration for the 2026 event opens October 1, 2025.
The main mountain event sends participants from the desert floor to the summit of North Franklin Peak and back. North Franklin Peak reaches an elevation of 7,192 feet, about 3,000 feet above the city below.
Distances/events
- 5k
- 10k
- Half Marathon
- 30k
- 55k
- 12-Hour
The King/Queen of the Mountain is a separate event that routes runners to the summit and back; participants must wear a summit bracelet at the finish.
Course formats and key rules
The course runs on trails within Franklin Mountains State Park and includes steep and rocky terrain, scree fields, and exposed sections. Aid stations are provided and described as well stocked; drop bags are allowed at the pavilion aid station, with additional drop bag locations for some longer distances. The 10k and 30k have a mid-race drop down option at the 5k point.
The 12-Hour format uses a random loop selection system: runners draw colored balls to determine which marked loop to run, with special rules for a black ball and for laps finished after the cut-off. The King/Queen event has no aid stations, a summit verification bracelet, and a five-hour time limit. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
