Texas Endurance Runs 24/48

The 48-hour and 24-Hour at the Texas Endurance Runs are definitely not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure! Runners need to be heat acclimated to make headway during the day, and need to have a good race plan to maximize the cooler nights. But in some ways the crazy heat is kind of the point – the runners form friendships in the face of adversity that they otherwise wouldn’t or couldn’t. For someone new to the sport, those kinds of connections to veterans, and the tips and stories they share, could be invaluable.

For the first 8 years of the race, it was ‘by invitation’ only – you had to know the RD or one of her friends to get an invitation to run, so we had an idea whether you could handle the race. The original race was a Fat-Ass event with no permits and no shirts. Runners camped in the yard, and ran through the neighborhood and local park. Kay & John donated ice, water, and a location, and any snacks or sodas they had lying around the house. Runners brought food and gear to share. Many new friendships were made. (Read more about the history of WRATH on our blog.)

Now the race is in its 11th year. We’ve got a new location with a new course that’s easier to monitor, so we’ve opened it to the public – but we’re still growing it slowly so we get to know everyone that races. We’ve added participant medals and some swag but we’ll keep that friendly “Running Party” atmosphere. Runners are still encouraged to bring stuff to share, and the bulk of your fee still benefits charity. And we’ll continue the tradition of a hand-painted brick for 100 miles instead of a buckle, because bricks are hardened by heat, just like our runners.

Course Description
You start off running on flat gravel driveway then turn left onto an asphalt road. You head uphill on the road to the turn-around, then back down the same road and turn right onto the gravel driveway. You’ll veer off to the left onto the grass, go over the dam, around the periphery of the property, then back onto another stretch of the gravel driveway before getting back where you started.

An Endurance Running Party featuring:

• No shade, but LOTS of humidity!
• Avg nighttime temperatures: 76* / Avg daytime temperatures: 97*
• Asphalt, gravel roads, and rock-hard grass.

(Sounds perfect, so far, right?)

• Usual aid station food & drink (Heed, water & soda; sweet/salty/crunchy/bland snacks)
• Indoor bathrooms & shelter with A/C at Start/Finish
• Professional timing & lap-counting
• FREE limited camping
• 1.25-mile loop
• Like-minded crazy people