The Brazos Bend 100 Miler is the FASTEST trail in the nation with its mostly flat course and easy aid stations. Its the perfect place to set some personal records. And there’s alligators! The wildlife is abundant in Brazos Bend State Park, but it’s overshadowed in general interest by the …
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The Brazos Bend 100 Miler is the FASTEST trail in the nation with its mostly flat course and easy aid stations. Its the perfect place to set some personal records. And there’s alligators! The wildlife is abundant in Brazos Bend State Park, but it’s overshadowed in general interest by the American alligator. Birds of 290 species have been sighted in and around the park. The diverse habitat is a haven for migratory waterfowl, a variety of shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds and raptors.
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 trail under canopy, and easy horse trails. The 50 mile will top out at 300 feet of gain total, and the 100 miler will have 600 feet of gain total.
The Start/Finish will be at the Elm Lake Pavilion. There will be a 30 HOUR CUTOFF FOR THE RACE
100 miler 6 x 16.74 mile loops
50 miler 3 x 16.74 mile loops
26.2 mile 2 x 13.8 loops
13.1 miles 1 x 13.8 loop
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Mind Over Matter!
Running a hundred miles is hard, but if you are doing your first ultra race this is the course for you. The support from the member of the TROT team … MORE
Running a hundred miles is hard, but if you are doing your first ultra race this is the course for you. The support from the member of the TROT team are great and the other runners are just as amazing. The course was a tad muddy due to rain but still nice to run on. Yes the course is mostly flat with some false flats and rocks. The trails are nicely covered and I did spot an alligator!
My First Ultra
It was an amazing and humbling experience! It made me wanna do the 100 miler which I did the next year and it was amazing! They put on a an … MORE
It was an amazing and humbling experience! It made me wanna do the 100 miler which I did the next year and it was amazing! They put on a an amazing race and great course for a first timer.
My 1st Ultra (50)!
29 marathons under my belt at the time. Never an Ultra and had only completed 1 trail marathon so really had no idea what to expect. Thought this would be … MORE
29 marathons under my belt at the time. Never an Ultra and had only completed 1 trail marathon so really had no idea what to expect. Thought this would be a “1 and done” experience for me, but after finishing in what was a surprising time for my expectations I will definitely run another ultra!
You won’t find the crowd support along an Ultra course like you may or may not at other races. Note to self! However, on this course you had beautiful scenery to view much of the time as the entire race is run on the trails of the Brazos Bend State Park. They offer a 100, 50, 26, and 13 so lots of other runners on the course as well which helps for the absence of crowd support.
This course is FLAT!!! Based on what I’m learning this is NOT typical for trail running. It also is mostly smooth (no branches, stumps, big rocks, obstacles) so minimal tripping and falling. My one other trail marathon I took 6 full face plants where my entire body touched the ground and after the fact learned that’s not uncommon in trail races. Things to learn!
Weather was cold, but from what I hear we got lucky. Many years this race is cold and rainy or muddy. Be prepared.
Definitely a different vibe with trail racing and I think I may like it better. It’s not as competitive. There can be a LOT of walking going on b/c let’s face it running 50 or 100 miles with no walking is impossible for most of us. It’s completely acceptable. Everyone is supportive of each other. It’s all about finishing and not a focus on the time it took. Love the “attitude” of trail runners.
My husband ran his 1st full marathon that day. With a 30 hr course limit due to the 100 mile course I figured there was plenty of time for him to finish and encouraged him to go for it. He said he never felt intimidated even with the 100 mile rock stars on the course passing him and he was walking. Again, trail running seems to be more accepting of any and all paces.
The 50 mile course is 3 loops. People set up their personal “station” at the start line area. When you return to the start to begin your next loop you can stop at your personal station to drop off clothes, get your own fuel, change shoes, or whatever it is you may need. LOVED that concept vs in a typical marathon I am packing everything I may need for 26 miles.
Food on the course is over the top for races sponsored by this group: TROTS. This was my 2nd trail run and both were put on by TROTS. Not sure if other Ultras and Trail races have this much food offered on the course or not. Mashed potatoes & ramen noodles at the start of each loop. PBJ sandwich, cookies, crackers, chips, candies, pies, and more at each of the aid stations along the way. You won’t lack for something to eat along the way. For me there was no need to pack food based on what they provided. They did advertise tacos at the finish line. What they didn’t say was it’s a taco truck, you have to walk back to the pkg lot to get to them and oh yea….you have to pay. 🙁
Extremely well organized race. Given the distances and length of time this race takes for the 100 milers it runs incredibly smooth. I didn’t witness a single hiccup all day.
Limited bathrooms along the way. Not what I was used to from road races. 1 or 2 in the state park that you pass by and don’t recall any port a potties elsewhere on the course? Your in the woods, though, so……
My 1 “complaint” about this race and the other TROT race I’ve completed is the swag. The tshirt was terrible!!! Nowhere does the race say what event I completed. Just says Brazos Bend 100. That’s it. For non runners they wouldn’t have any clue what this was! My husband’s 1st marathon and imagine his disappoint that he finally gets to claim his 1st finishers shirt and no mention of a marathon? Silly I know, but we runners can be silly that way! 🙂 My 1st Ultra and I too was disappointed it didn’t say 50 mile Ultra or something. Also, very minimal differential in the medals based on what race you ran. Wish the shirts were different for each race, clearly spelled out the race/distance and difference in medals based on distance. The other TROT race I completed was the same “complaint”.
Overall a GREAT race based on the price, the flat and smooth course, the scenery, the food and just the atmosphere/attitude among trail runners. If you have not attempted a trail runner and/or ultra before do NOT hesitate. Don’t think you can’t just because you are slow or for any other reason. Even if you walk most or all you will be supported and encouraged and you can do it!
An authentic Texas race
Here is what I consider positives about the race: the course was very flat, almost as flat as possible. The scenery is interesting. I've lived in MA, CO, and CA … MORE
Here is what I consider positives about the race: the course was very flat, almost as flat as possible. The scenery is interesting. I’ve lived in MA, CO, and CA and this was NOTHING like running in those places. Running along swamps with alligators and wild boars is very unique. The three laps of 16.7 miles is easy to digest and helps you navigate how much more you have left to run. The course is really well marked. You would have to be pretty clueless to get lost.
What could be improved: I would have appreciated mile markers. My GPS didn’t make it through the entire run so the last lap I didn’t know how far we had left. At the very least, mile markers at the aid stations would have helped. The first two aid stations were a bit far apart (4-5 miles). It wasn’t a big deal on the first lap when you don’t need them, but subsequent laps it felt far. The flat course I think was actually harder for me. Others might prefer it, but I was using the same muscles over and over and found myself wanting a hill once in a while.
All in all, a quality race. I am glad I did it.