10k, 20k, 30k, 50k, 50mi

January 19th 2025

Big Bend Ultra (21st annual)

In 2004, a wild idea was hatched: an ultra trail race in Big Bend. It had never been done. The logistics were impossible. Big Bend national and state parks are huge: over 300,000 acres and several hours from San Antonio. Water is scarce. Fuel is scarce. Transportation is scarce. The isolation also means it has lowest light pollution of any park in the lower 48 states: making it a fantastic place for stargazing. This was the beginning of a truly great event that has been held annually ever since. This year Carroll Voss, Erik Stanley, and the team of volunteers and competitors with Trail Roots are looking forward to the best race yet.

Timing

Saturday 9:00a - pre race shakeout at Lajitas Resort Trails with Fleet Feet, Altra, and Wright Sock

5:30a - start 50m
7:30a - start 50k
8:00a - start 30k
8:30a - start 20k
9:00a - start 10k
4:30p - cutoff 50k
8:30p - cutoff 50m

2:15p- cutoff: 50m must have finished 50k portion by this time to continue

4p- 50M cutoff Alpha outbound

5pm- 50M cutoff Delta

6:45p - 50M cutoff Alpha inbound

Packet Pickup

Barton Warnock Center in Terlingua, TX 79852


Saturday, Jan 18th from 10am-4:30pm
Sunday, Jan 19th from 5-8am

Finishers

All finishers receive a hand made clay finisher medal and a post race meal! Make sure to hang on to your bib because its your meal ticket.

Awards Winners

First M/F overall & 1st M/F masters (50+): Handmade clay award + a pair of Altra Shoes

2nd & 3rd Overall M/F: Fleet Feet Austin/SA gift card

Age Group winners: Handmade clay coin

Results from 2014-2023 can be viewed at Chuckscore.com, 2024 results

Race swag not guaranteed for signups after 12/1/2024

 

Location

All runners share the start and finish at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center at Big Bend Ranch State Park. The race day parking area is about 200 meters from the visitor center (see map). Please do not try and park in the visitor center as Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will not allow runners to park there.

Maps & Course Info

50m - 3368’ gain | map | stations

50k - 1956’ gain | map | stations

30k - 1280’ gain | map | stations

20k - 700’ gain | map | stations

10k - 347’ gain | map | stations

Once you navigate to the Caltopo map page, select the distance(s) you want to view. Plus you can view aid stations to get a visual on this map. This caltopo map runs the route clockwise, but it actually will be run counterclockwise.

Pacers and Crew & Drop Bags

Due to the remoteness of the route, we will not be allowing pacers on the course or crew at the aid stations. Crew, friends, and family are welcome to cheer you on at the start/finish (Barton Warnock Center). 50 milers will be coming through the start/finish as they complete the 50k loop. There will be a designated drop bag area for 50 milers at the start/finish line.

Aid Stations

(Remember we are cup-less) please bring a handheld water bottle or collapsible cup to run with. If you forget your cup we have Trail Roots Hydrapak cups on-site for sale. We highly recommend bringing more water than normal as the route is exposed and in the desert.

Food

Skratch energy chews and bars, Salty stuff such as pretzels, chips, PB&J or PB & Nutella, pickles, animal crackers, oranges, chewy candy

Drinks

Skratch Labs electrolyte drink, Coke, Mt Dew, Water, Pickle Juice

Race Plans

We also offer semi-custom and fully customized race plans. All plans have been specially developed by our race director and tailored for the race, distance, and your experience level. Fully customized plans are available with 1:1 virtual coaching.

Photos

Race Beneficiaries

The Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park is a non-profit organization that helps improve and maintain trails within Big Bend. They provide race support and volunteers. We are proud to donate a portion of proceeds to support their work as well as a portion to the Big Bend Trail Alliance.

Volunteer

Volunteers are great way to give back or get credit towards your future races. We rely on experienced mountain bikers as volunteers to help with trail setup, tear down and safety patrol. If you are good with a full day of trails (not terribly tough, but requires fitness and experience) it’s a fantastic place to ride. You must be able to take care of your own lodging, transportation, flats etc. and other gear. It sounds tough (and it can be), but volunteers love the work. No matter what your talent or capabilities, if you want to volunteer, we can find a job for you.

All volunteers must be able to read, write and speak English. Spanish fluency is much appreciated since we have runners from Mexico and South America.

Communications

The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club will be providing most of the repeater network for this event.

Frequencies are subject to change and will be assigned to particpants – check w/ Charlie Angell when you arrive.

HAM Radio Operator Contact

Charles Land

Thank you to our trail race sponsors!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible trail race sponsors. Your unwavering support and generosity have made our event possible and memorable. From providing essential race supplies to promoting and enhancing the overall experience for our participants, your contribution has made a significant impact on the success of our race.

More Info

Changing Race Distances (Last Day to Change is 1/7/2024)

You may change your race distance as long as it is no closer than 1 month before the race date. Simply login to your Ultrasignup.com account and go to our race. Here are more details on how to change your race distance.

Transferring Bibs

For the first time ever we are allowing you to transfer your bibs! The deadline to do so is 1 month before race day.

Refunds/Credits

We do not offer credits or refunds.

Gear
Here’s a list of gear we strongly recommend each runner packs for an ultra in Big Bend in January. These items will make your run easier and provide you with maximum protection. Most of you will have an even better list of your own.

  • Cap – some kind of head cover

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • Gloves

  • Apparel for a 30°F start and a 70°F finish. Tights?

  • Warm clothing for before start and after finish

  • Hydration belt, at least 20 ounces for between aid stations hydration (critical)

  • Technical fiber (moisture wicking) or wool socks. NO COTTON

  • BodyGlide, or Sport-Shield, anti-friction product.

  • Hand towel

Hydration

Big Bend is a desert, and humidity is very low.  Stay hydrated and stay healthy. Make sure you have planned your water needs based on what you find you need. Water stops will be spaced properly based on decades of experience, so check that you can carry what you need in between.

Weather

Big Bend weather is famous for being unpredictable. It is usually beautiful, but can be snowing, raining, sleeting, or hot.

In past years in January, it’s been warm (70’s F), cold (20’s F), wet, dry, windy, calm, and of course … rain, hail, sleet & snow.

It’s also been beautiful. There is something about running in the desert after it rains that is just sweet. Rain is rare in the desert.

Trail runners know the basics of hydration, keeping cool, keeping warm, and staying healthy.

Our water/electrolyte stations and medical teams are on hand to keep you safe.

Campers should plan for all of the above.

Injury
If you are injured seriously, we will get you to expert medical care as soon as possible by land or air, depending on the urgency.

Medical Support
Many of our volunteers have received training in emergency medicine, and we will have EMS techs as well as Park Officers.