Texas’ Hottest trail race, the Habanero Hundred was born from a summer long run gone wrong (ask the Race Director) and is now one the largest trail races in the state, held in August every year with options for many distances with the marquee event being the 100 mile distance. …
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Texas’ Hottest trail race, the Habanero Hundred was born from a summer long run gone wrong (ask the Race Director) and is now one the largest trail races in the state, held in August every year with options for many distances with the marquee event being the 100 mile distance.
The relay option will also allow you to run with a team, friends, or family to complete this monumental task. In the first year of the event we only had ONE 100-Mile finisher, Julie Schmal! Ever since, we have put our 100mi finishers’ names printed on the back of the next year’s shirt. Between 2015 and 2023 only 137 people have finished the Habanero Hundred 100mi!
Are you up for the challenge? Or maybe start with one of our shorter distances or team relays. Sign up your club for the relay in our highly competitive team event for both the 100K and 100M distances.
The race is held at the beautiful 7IL ranch just outside of Bellville, Texas. The ranch has been open for more than five generations, and it was opened for public use in 1999. The facility is over 1,150 acres with water/electric and RV hookups as well.
The Habanero Hundred is set up to start at HIGH NOON, and the 30-hour cutoff will end at 6:00 PM on Sunday. All runners will receive an event shirt, the race will be chip timed, and we will have free pictures for all runners. There will be belt buckles for 100M & 100K finishers, and medals for the 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and Relay Teams.
New for 2026… announcing the Habanero 135! Because 100 miles was not enough for veteran Habanero Hundred finishers. Entry is not guaranteed and is reserved for experienced ultra runners. The 135 may not be used by those looking for extra time in the 100 Mile distance.
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Remember, you paid for it
This year was a bit cooler than last time I did it, which made a huge difference on the DNF rate. You should know exactly what you are signing for: … MORE
This year was a bit cooler than last time I did it, which made a huge difference on the DNF rate.
You should know exactly what you are signing for: a single 10k loop with a mix of loose sand, grass and gravel road, little to no shadow, absolutely no scenery. Heat index at or around 100F when the race start, and two help stations full of ice and awsome volunteers. And you are doing that same loop 5, 10 or 16 times depending on your selected distance.
The first two loops are when undertrained, over-optimistic runners are passing you like crazy – only to DNF in the first 4h.
Time is irrelevant, use these first 2-3 loops as a (long and tedious) warmup. Milk the shadow as much as possible by walking, never fight the loose sand or the “technical” parts (steeper uphills/downhills with roots) and you’ll survive through the day. It gets super dark when night falls, and the cowpies everywhere means you’ll fight flying bugs at every step, but at least the Texan sun will not be eating you alive anymore. Be prepared to drop bag(s) in tent city to adjust your gear based on the time of the day: loop 1 protect against the sun, loops 2-3 focus on ice capacity, remove layers on loop 4, add light for night loops… Don’t underestimate changing socks. It forces you to stop, seat, remove shoes and socks… but otherwise the ice cubes slowly melt and drip along your legs down to your socks. I’ve never seen so many blisters on one foot in my life. But at least I kept all my toenails this year, so still calling it a win.
This year the aid stations lacked consistency. The one in tent city only served gatoritas (sodas were not) while the Hot Tamales station was doing the opposite. Both were staffed with volunteers helping with ice stuffing (in your pockets, arm sleeves, etc) or refilling your water bladders. They rocked, like they usually do at TROT events but even more so at Habanero since it’s by far their toughest race.
Hot AF. But that's what you signed for
The heat is no joke, you know it beforehand and prepare for it. But the terrain isn't either. The trails are used for horse riding so are mostly loose white … MORE
The heat is no joke, you know it beforehand and prepare for it. But the terrain isn’t either. The trails are used for horse riding so are mostly loose white sands, which adds to the difficulty.
Don’t sign here for a PR or even to race it. It is a race against yourself, knowing, listening to, and pushing your body to its limits.
As always with TROT, great volunteers, you’ll get cheers and ice (lot of both) at each aid station.
This year had major pre-race issues with hours of waiting to retrieve your bib (race day only!) but looking forward for them to be resolved next year.
One Hot Habanero
Really hot start, 6.2 laps x 5 for 31 miles. 2 track, 1 track and grass. So for fun throw in tons of sand, rocks and roots. They promised lots … MORE
Really hot start, 6.2 laps x 5 for 31 miles. 2 track, 1 track and grass. So for fun throw in tons of sand, rocks and roots. They promised lots of support in 10k there were two manned and one unmanned aid stations. This is the hardest race I can remember.