HOKA Bandera Endurance Trail Race
Races: 100k, 50k, 25k, Youth 1 mi
When: January 11, 2025
Where: Hill Country State Natural Area (HCSNA) 10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003
100k is a standalone race, starting on Saturday. With a 25 hour cutoff.
50k and 25k are on Sunday. Unless you get one of the few Saturday (non-competitive 50k slots-more info below).
No whiners, wimps, or wusses. A trail of rugged and brutal beauty where everything cuts, stings, or bites.
Western States 100 Qualifying Race Details: Runners who complete Bandera 100km within 17 hours will qualify to enter a lottery where the runners for Western States will be selected. Qualifying periods and lottery details can be found on the Western States website.
See What it all looks like
Race Day Results & Timing & Scoring
Start Options
We will have a mass start per distance. Sometimes we start more than one distance together, so pay attention to the Schedule for this event. We also leave the start line open for a little while longer for those who want to avoid the mass start, enjoy a more casual entry onto the course, and don’t care about overall awards.
Results and Live Split Updates
Click this button on race day to see updated results each time a runner passes a timing mat on the course and the final results. Timing mats are always at the start/finish/next lap line, and sometimes an additional mat is placed out on the course.
Timing and Scoring
The results page will show two times for each runner. “Gun Time” and “Chip Time”. Here’s what that means for you:
“Gun Time” is the time from the mass start (when the starter officially starts your distance) until when you cross the finish line. This is everyone’s “official time”, no matter when you enter the race course; and is the time that is used for all rankings and awards.
“Chip Time” is the time from when you actually cross the start line until the time you cross the finish line. This is not used for official times or award rankings. But if you begin after the Mass Start you can see this time in the results to know the time you actually covered the course in.
Saturday Non-Competitive 50k
Open to anyone who gets signed up. We will allow a small number of 50k runners to race on Saturday, as long as we have the extra room. Finishers will receive a finisher medal and be recorded as an official finisher, but will not be eligible for Overall Awards. If you want to be eligible for Overall Awards, you must start in the Sunday Competitive 50k Start Group. Please do not jump in this start option if you are not registered for it, and do not start early with the 100km runners.
Race Schedule
RACE WEEK AT A GLANCE (SEE NEXT SECTION BELOW FOR MORE PACKET PICKUP DETAILS)
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY:
All Day: Packet Pickup at iRun Texas (Dominion) Running Store (all hours they are open for business)
All Day: Course marking and setup
Always love a little extra help if you want to come out and volunteer! See the volunteer link HERE and mention Bandera Race Setup.
FRIDAY:
All Day/Night: Drop Bags placed on your own around the course
11:00am: HOKA Shake Out Run: This will be a fun, easy, ~5 mile jog, starting at the Start Line going around to Boyles A.S. and shortcutting straight back to the Race Hub.
11:30am-7:30pm: Miss Vickie’s Food Truck serving food
1:00pm-5:30pm: Onsite Packet Pickup
5:30pm-6:00pm: Race Briefing and Q&A with the RD at the Start Line (non-mandatory)
6:00pm-7:00pm: Onsite Packet Pickup (cont’d)
SATURDAY:
6:15am-8:00am: Onsite Packet Pickup for All Races
7:00am: Cutoff for putting your Drop Bags in the assigned spot for us to deliver for you (see details in Packet Pickup section below)
7:30am: 100k Mass Start
7:45am: Start line closes for 100km
8:00am: 50k Non-Competitive Start (limited number allowed / must register for this option specifically)
9:45am: Youth 1 Mile Packet Pickup
10:00am: Youth 1 Mile Mass Start
8:00pm: Last Lap Cutoff (100k Runners, you must be on your last lap by this time)
SUNDAY:
6:30am-8:30am: Onsite Packet Pickup
8:00am: 50k Mass Start
8:30am: Final Cutoff / Course Closed for 100km & Saturday Non-Competitive 50km
8:30am: 25k Mass Start
Rolling Times: See Aid Station Chart for each Aid Station rolling cutoff
7:00pm: Final Cutoff for 25k and 50k (Course Closed)
All Day & Night: Teardown
Always love a little extra help if you want to come out and volunteer! See the volunteer link HERE and mention Bandera Race Teardown.
MONDAY:
All Morning: Teardown
Always love a little extra help if you want to come out and volunteer! See the volunteer link HERE and mention Bandera Race Teardown.
Packet Pickup Details
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY OF RACE WEEK:
Location: iRun Texas (Dominion) in San Antonio. Store hours are listed on their website.
Address: 22211 IH 10 West #1107A, San Antonio, TX 78257
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am-7pm (we suggest double-checking the store’s website to be sure of their store hours).
Friday: Packet Pickup will move to the race hub. And will re-open at Hill Country State Natural Area at 1:00pm.
Note: Should you pick up your packet anytime throughout the week, you are automatically “checked in”, you can no longer defer your entry, and you will be marked as a DNS if you do not show up to the race.
Details: If you pick up your packet prior to race day, you’ll get your shirt or hat, etc. like always, along with your bib and safety pins. You will get your timing chip on race morning only. If you pick up your packet prior to race morning, you can go straight to the Chip Pickup Line, onto the Start Line, and straight onto the course.
FRIDAY, 1:00pm - 7:00pm:
Location: Hill Country State Natural Area, located at the Group Lodge (Race HQ).
Details: You will receive your shirt, hat, etc., along with your bib and safety pins. Timing chips will only be available for pick up on your race morning. If you pick up your packet prior to race morning, you can go straight to the Chip Pickup Line and bypass the Packet Pickup Line. It will be quick on race morning.
SATURDAY, 6:15am - 8:30am & SUNDAY, 6:30am - 8:30am:
Location: Hill Country State Natural Area, Group Lodge (Race HQ).
Details: Timing chips will only be available for pick up on your race morning. If you picked up your packet prior to race morning, you can go straight to the Chip Pickup Line and bypass the Packet Pickup Line. It will be quick on race morning.
For race morning packet pickup, you will only be given your Bib & Timing Chip. You should be ready to go to the start line if you pick up on race morning. Simply give your name and get your timing chip and bib and safety pins. You will immediately put on the timing chip and bib, go to the start line, and enter the course. After the race is over, you will receive your swag along with your finisher medal or buckle at the finish line.
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 100k, 50k, 25k
ROUTE DETAILS:
The main loop is 50k. 100k is 2 full laps. 50k is 1 full lap. 25k starts the same as other races and has a cutover after Equestrian A.S., then rejoins the full course before YaYa A.S., then finishes all the same.
You can expect roughly 3300 feet of elevation change up and down per full 50k lap. Or about 6600 for the 100km. The 25k enjoys a significant portion of the hills, with only a small section that is flat before a fun final up and down leading to the straightaway to the finish line.
All laps are counterclockwise.
The Hill Country State Natural Area is notorious for rocks and sotol and challenging beauty! No whiners, wimps, or wusses.
This is a trail of rugged and brutal beauty where everything cuts, stings, or bites. You will climb or descend on gnarly trails pretty much the whole course aside from either side of YaYa Aid Station. There’s a section around there that we call the Race Track. That’s the only consistently flat section.
The hills are short (compared to mountains) but they are steep. They will take you to some gorgeous Hill Country vistas, amazing sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies, as well as some fun bomber downhill dashes. Overall, this is a technical course and loads of fun!
Below is a link to a GPX file and elevation profile image of the current 100k course. Please note, the course can slightly change last minute, based on unexpected trail changes or conditions outside our control. And this file and profile image may not get updated immediately.
Also note, this file only shows a single full lap, and does not include any shorter distance laps.
Expect roughly 3,300 feet of elevation gain and equal loss, per full lap, or 6600 feet for the 100km. The 25km will obviously be significantly less, as it shortcuts half of the full lap.
This is an elevation profile for the 100K and is meant to show you the lay of the land, not the exact course profile this year.
Course Markings
We go above and beyond on our course markings and have become known around the world for it. We will have orange Tejas Trails caution tape blocking off any open intersections; yellow arrows stapled to stakes, signposts, fences, and trees; and hundreds of confidence markers between. You never have to navigate or use a map.
Course markings are not color-coded per distance. When you get to an intersection where a shorter distance breaks off from the longer main loop, there will be signs with distances on them pointing the appropriate ways. Simply follow the signs with your distance on them. If you don’t see your distance, you just missed your turn. Don’t ever cross caution tape. It usually is required that we keep the caution tape on the ground, but it is always obvious and will act as a guardrail for you at open intersections.
Also, for any of our races that take place in dark hours, all our markings have high grade reflectors in them, so the course actually becomes even easier to follow in the dark!
Now, of course, you can get off course. So, if you are new to trail running, you must train your brain to keep looking up; and especially don’t trust the person in front of you. We have a special “Lemming Award” for those who blindly follow someone else off course and then get mad at us.
Aid Stations
We are offering full aid station support at all aid stations. It will still be easy to put your own water and supplies at every aid station if you want. We encourage everyone to self-support if you are more comfortable with that, or have a crew take care of your needs. Otherwise, we will have everything you could possibly need supplied for you every few miles around the course.
Expect hot & cold foods, and hot & cold drinks at Lodge, Equestrian, & Chapas Aid Stations.
Expect only regular food & drinks at Boyles, Nachos, and Yaya Aid Stations.
100k Cutoffs:
Last Lap Cutoff = Sat at 8:00 pm
Final Cutoff (Course Closed) = Sun at 8:30 am
Saturday Non-Competitive 50k Cutoffs:
Same cutoffs as the 100k (use the 100k Aid Station chart for your race).
Note: you start a half hour later than the 100k, but ‘yes’ you do have that much time to get through a 50k!
Sunday 50k & 25k Cutoffs:
Final Cutoff (Course Closed) = Sun at 7:00 pm
General A.S. Guidelines
All trash, paper, Styrofoam, etc. will need to be disposed of before leaving the aid station. Trash bags are located on each end. Do not continue with paper or plastic items from our aid stations down the course.
We are a cupless series for drinking cups. We do, however, distribute hot items like soup, mashed potatoes, etc. in Styrofoam cups; and other snack items in tiny 2 oz plastic dishes. You will need to have your own flask or soft collapsible cup on hand for getting drinks though.
Crews and Spectators are allowed and encouraged to be at all aid stations for this race.
We need to keep people out of the warming areas unless they are in a bad place and need some time to revive. Medical will only be available for serious injuries and immediate attention. We will, of course, take care of everyone as much as possible. But know that Aid stations are all located very close to the main paved road in case of a DNF/drop-out. Runners need to be picked up by their crew or make it back to the Lodge (start/finish) via a shortcut on the main road, to turn in timing chips, if they can move forward on their own.
Drop Bags
SELF-SUPPORT DETAILS:
If you are more comfortable self-supporting or have your crew take care of your hydration and nutrition needs, here is some helpful info.
You may drop your own drop bags and small ice chests off at all aid stations the day before your race, and they are almost all right off a main road, within a few feet of it. The only exceptions are YaYa and Boyles.
For YaYa it is about 200 yards off the road, and you have to park at Equestrian while you temporarily walk down the dirt path to YaYa.
For Boyles you have to walk about a half mile up a jeep road from the Group Lodge main parking area.
See the Race Course map to see where all aid stations are in conjunction with the main park road, should you decide you or your crew will be placing your items.
DELIVERY DETAILS (We deliver to Nachos & Chapas Only):
No drop bags delivered for 50km or 25km. This service is on Saturday morning, for the 100km only.
For those in the 100km, who are unable to drop your own drop bags, we will provide Drop Bag Service to two aid stations. See the Aid Station Chart for exact details.
Bring bags to the Lodge by 7:00am Saturday morning at the latest, regardless of your start time. You can leave them with us Friday evening as well. Look for a large feather flag labeled “Drop Bags”. They will go by the front yard of the house either on the ground or into the back of a truck, at the near edge of the Race Hub, to the side of the Packet Pickup tents.
We will take them at 7:00am on Saturday morning, and that’s your only chance for us to take them.
Be sure you bring duct tape and markers to label your bag. We will have some if you forget. Your bag/bucket/etc. must have the following:
Aid Station Name & Bib Number
You will receive your Bib Number when you check in at Packet Pickup.
Be sure everything is secured inside something that seals up, as we will be hauling a whole lot of bags in the back of pickup trucks. Also make sure it’s critter proof and weather proof. It will not be under cover out at the aid stations.
Return Details:
We will bring the drop bags back to the Lodge next to the front yard of the house on the ground by 9:00am Sunday. Same spot where you left them with us.
You may pick up your own bags on your way out if you wish to get them early, and we always appreciate it when you do.
All drop bags will get disposed of or cleaned and donated as soon as we finish cleaning up. Which is usually late Sunday night. So if you come back on Monday, your drop bag will likely be thrown away or hauled off for donation. Please do not just leave your drop bag full of trash and stinky socks, for us to find (that’s not actually considered a loving, selfless donation).
Lodge (start/finish) drop bags:
You may place your drop bag for the Lodge behind the open face pole barn. Anywhere in that center, oval field. They cannot go inside the front-facing pole barn. That back field is for Crews and Drop Bags only. There will be a path marked for Crews to go back into that space, but only one way in and one way out. We will not be retrieving bags for runners at the Lodge A.S. Make a mental note of where you place your Lodge Drop Bag as you or your crew will have to remember where it is and get it.
Volunteering
We fully recognize we could not (and would not want to) put on any of these events without your help. Volunteers breathe life into these events. You make them personal for people. We no doubt need you and love this component to our business. So, know that we will always do everything we can afford to do to help you enjoy your time out there in the trenches helping those runners achieve their goals and dreams.
As a volunteer, you get:
Park entry fees and Camping fees paid for (if your role requires you to sleep at the park)
Food brought to you while you are volunteering
Shirt, hat, race swag, etc.
Loads of good memories
All the gear you need to successfully accomplish your task
Volunteer hours exchanged for future race entries
We can always use help, specifically for: course marking, packet pickup, aid stations, course sweeping, teardown, and more!
Swag & Stuff
Your race entry comes with a bunch of good stuff! You’ll get the comfort of our world-renowned course markings so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. You’ll get our notorious staff and volunteer support (and probably leave with new friends you met at an aid station or the finish line)! We will offer a plethora of aid station food and drink options, as well as finish line drinks. There will be a relaxing race hub area with backyard games and toys for kids to play with for your spectators, friends, and family. We also typically have a food truck at the finish line serving a variety of good food and drink options, including an accommodating menu of most food allergies and vegan options.
You can also expect awesome gear you’ll actually want to wear, and a truly unique medal that you’ll be proud to have. Those who sign up before the shirt cutoff (when we actually have to put the shirt order in) will receive a nice shirt. Sometimes long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless, tank top, or something else we find that’s cool and different from the year before. Those who register after that date will receive a cool non-size specific item, such as a hat, beanie, arm warmers, scarf, drink ware, or something else we find.
If you don’t like the swag item you received, you may swap your item after the final Packet Pickup is over (when we have ensured everyone got the item they signed up for). You can also purchase the other item(s) if you like all of them. This will all happen from the Tejas Trails merchandise tent when it’s onsite, and otherwise will be made available at the Packet Pickup Tent or the Finish Line Tent.
Also, for our longer events, sometimes we offer a “Premium Garment” that you can upgrade to during the Race Registration steps.
Please note, we don’t always get the shirt color we had planned these days, as things are goofy with shipping and fulfilling. If the shirt color changes, sometimes we have to change the design colors too. But you can count on a quality item.
Timing & DNF
Chip Timing
All races will be chip timed. Chips will be attached to an ankle strap, picked up on race morning only at the event venue, and must be worn on your ankle during the race. Chips are likely to not work if worn anywhere other than your ankle.
Once you finish, we will have a bin for you to place your chip into. Our head timer will take care of it from there.
Please reference the “Start Options” section above for exact details of how we are utilizing “Gun Time” vs “Chip Time”, depending on which Start Option you choose during registration.
Check Out
If you leave the race for any reason before completing the full race distance, you must turn in your timing chip. If we have your Chip, then we know you have left the course & we won't go looking for you all day & night.
DNF (Did Not Finish)
If you decide to not finish the distance you registered for, you may get a finisher medal to commemorate the miles you did finish; but you will be a DNF in the results; and you will not be in contention for awards for the shorter distance category.
Split Time Collection
Some races may have mid-point reads to help us track progress during the race. If you see a timing mat on the course, make sure you run over it.
Pacers
Allowed for 100K runners only, after the runner completes one 50K loop. 60 and older may have a pacer their whole race. Pacers must start and end at an aid station. Only one pacer with a runner at a time. No mule-ing. All pacers must complete free registration.
Overall Awards
We love celebrating our top finishers! However, we don’t have awards ceremonies at most of our events. But all the top finishers will receive some really great stuff!
We will have some fun, special, handmade overall awards to hand out when you cross the finish line. Volunteers will check results as you cross, but sometimes there’s a delay since our events are mostly remote. So, if you think you may be in contention for one, please ask before leaving.
Please note, we do not mail awards to anyone who leaves without their earned award. If there is any signal, you can also look up how you did on the results page (found in the pre-race email and at the top of this event webpage).
For this race, we will be awarding Top 3 male and Top 3 female, as well as 1st male and female per 10 year age group.
There are special awards handed out uniquely for the Tejas 250, Tejas 300, and Tejas 400.
For anyone who completes 500, 1000, 1500km or miles at the same event, we give away special fleeces for you to make others jealous with.
Families & Youth Run
Tejas Trails is for families! We have a few things going on to help everyone have fun on race weekend.
For you runners who are trying to figure out how to train and race while trying to be a good friend, partner, spouse, or grandparent.
For you family members and friends who are trying to support your runner, but get bored out of your minds trying to keep your young ones safe and busy.
Our goal is for the runner’s family and friends to have fun things to do, enjoy hanging out, exercise, play in the woods, and create great life-long memories together. Bottom line, we want families to grow closer together because of Tejas Trails events. So, we will provide things like family discounts, yard games, practically free youth races, and a family-friendly environment.
One of our favorite parts of our events is the Youth Trail Run. The course will be around a mile, and at most events it’s possible to run less for our really young racers! You can register your child on the main Reg button at the top of this page. It is an untimed race, and every runner receives a race bib and finisher medal.
We will also have a bunch of backyard games setup around the Race Hub. Just look for the ‘Fun and Games’ flag, and dig through the totes to find some fun toys and games for all ages.
Getting Here
Everything happens at Hill Country State Natural Area, in Bandera, TX.
Make sure you bring cash. All racers paid for your park entry upon registering. However, all non-racers 13 and older must pay $10 per person.
Carpool if possible. $30 max per vehicle for those carpooling!
Keep the placard they give you on your rearview mirror. If you don’t have a car, keep it in your pocket. You don’t have to race with it.
Upon arrival, when coming from the town of Bandera, the road will turn to dirt. It’s a well-maintained flat road. Turn right over the low water crossing. Then take your next right and you’ll immediately see a large parking area on your left and the park’s headquarters in front of you. On race weekend, you can continue on the dirt road that goes just along the edge of the HQ office.
That is the main road that takes you past Equestrian Aid Station on your left, soon after YaYa on your right, and on back to the Group Lodge where the Race Hub is.
Once at the Race Hub, cars will all be directed to the back lot first, which is out behind the corral. Initial cars will not be allowed in the first field you come to. RVs can park on the left just inside the Group Lodge gate. They are not allowed in the back field. There are no hook-ups for RVs. Dry docking only. There are plenty of spaces for any size RV as long as everyone parks their rig in a logical manner. Parking guides will help make all this happen Friday afternoon noon to evening. Then again early Sat and Sun mornings.
Packet Pickup will be in front of the old house.
Camping & Lodging
Primitive camping is available at the park, in abundance, within a few seconds to a few minutes stroll of the Race Hub. If you want to camp, you can pay for camping at the ‘gate’ that will be setup at Equestrian Aid Station parking lot. You can’t miss it, unless you sneak in real early in the week. If you don’t see any volunteers there, just ask at onsite Packet Pickup. No reservations for primitive camping needed Thursday through Monday. It’s first come, first serve. Easy as that! But if you want an RV site, there aren’t very many hook-ups at this park. Contact us for an RV site (details below).
Park Access: $10 per person 13 & older (TPWD State Park Passes not valid for this special event weekend. This fee is waived for racers onsite, as your registration fee covers this.
Camping: $10 per person (no matter how many nights; for tent, car, or RV without hook-up).
RV w/ Hook-Ups: $20/night (RV with hook-up of any kind, at any location around the park. Options are Equestrian (water only) and Chapas (electric only + access to fill up water tanks right there, but each RV pad does not have water at it).
Email us if you are interested in reserving one: fun@tejastrails.com. Payment will have to be made once onsite. So, please let us know if you end up not being able to make it, as these are coveted spots and someone will want yours.
RV w/ Hook-Ups @ Group Lodge: $50 per night for: (these are the few slots at the Start/Finish, and we rarely have these available…but you can ask).
SOLD OUT! Anyone can camp in the field near the race hub; however there is no water or electricity available. Low volume generators are allowed.
There are campgrounds in Bandera, as well as rooms available at the Hill Country Equestrian Lodge adjacent to the park (discounts for runners).
Email Dianne, info@hillcountryequestlodge.com.
If you want a hotel room nearby, Tejas Trails recommends you book your hotel through this booking portal: Hotels for Hope
Not only will you receive a discounted rate through this booking portal, but your hotel reservations will make a difference in someone's life! Every room night booked generates a $2 donation to fund a cool organization.
Tejas Trails has chosen "Kids in a New Groove" as the organization to benefit from this service.
