About Government Canyon Government Canyon State Natural Area straddles the Balcones Escarpment, giving it a unique blend of terrain ranging from Texas Hill Country to Texas Coastal Plains. The State of Texas preserved Government Canyon becasue of it’s importance as a water catchment and recharge zone for the Edwards Aquifer, …
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About Government Canyon
Government Canyon State Natural Area straddles the Balcones Escarpment, giving it a unique blend of terrain ranging from Texas Hill Country to Texas Coastal Plains. The State of Texas preserved Government Canyon becasue of it’s importance as a water catchment and recharge zone for the Edwards Aquifer, which supplies much of the drinking water for San Antonio and surrounding towns. The primary mission of the Natural Area is to preserve this vital water catchment and recharge zone and safegaurd the quality of the water that enters Edwards Aquifer.
The word escarpment refers to the margin between landforms. In the case of the Balcones Escaprment, it is the dividing line between the Texas Hill Country and the Texas Coastal Plain. The Balcones Escaprment is formed historically as the result of both the Balcones Fault Zone and, more recently, as the result of differential erosin between the more erosion resistant limestones prevalent west of the Escarpment and the less erosion resistant sedimentary rocks (such as clay) east of the Escarpment.
This particular race will be capped at 200 racers, 100 in each distance.
Race Course
The 50k course will be compiled of 2 identical loops.
Mile 2.8 = full aid station
Mile 8.1 = full aid station
Mile 13.9 = water/Tailwind station
Mile 16.0 = start/finish *can access drop-bags here
Mile 18.8 = full aid station
Mile 24.1 = full aid station
Mile 29.9 = water/Tailwind station
Mile 32 = finish line
The 25k course will be 1 single loop.
Mile 2.8 = full aid station
Mile 8.1 = full aid station
Mile 13.9 = water/Tailwind
Mile 16.0 = finish line
Both races start at the Park Headquarters. All runners will begin by running the Savannah Loop in the Front Country trail system. You’ll break off the Savannah Loop and cut through the day use and camp access trails to the Recharge Trail. Your first aid opportunity is at the intersection of the Recharge Trail and Sendero Balcones. You’ll turn right onto the Recharge Trail to head up Far Reaches.
Take Far Reaches to the intersection with Sendero Balcones where you’ll turn left to come down Sendero Balcones until you hit the intersection with the Recharge Trail. This is your second opportunity for aid. Turn right onto the Recharge Trail from the aid station and take a right on the cut over trail to the Joe Johnston Route trail.
Head up the Joe Johnston Route Trail and turn right on the Wildcat Canyon Trail. Run up Wildcat Canyon to the intersection with Sendero Balcones. Turn left on Sendero Balcones and run up to the intersection with the Twin Oaks Trail. Take a left on Twin Oaks and run down to the intersection with the Joe Johnston Route Trail. You will have your third aid opportunity at the intersection of Twin Oaks and the Joe Johnston Route Trail. Continue down the Joe Johnston Route Trail to the main park road. Take a right to continue back to the start/finish.
Race information
No pacers allowed. Crew is allowed only at aid stations or start/finish line.
Every racer MUST start with a water carrier. You must either have at least one water bottle or a hydration vest/hydration pack.
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