Texas Trail Running Festival
Races: 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi, 10k, 5k, Youth 1 mi
When: June 8, 2024
Where: Krause Springs, 424 County Road 404, Spicewood TX 78669
Combine one of Texas' best swimming holes with great single track. Add live music, a beautiful privately owned ranch, outdoor movies, free prize giveaways, food trucks, games, Family and Kids Zone, bounce houses, and trail running all day and night, and you have the Texas Trail Running Festival!
We are also offering a really cool schedule with racing options all morning, day and night! Come camp out with us for the whole weekend, or make a quick trip from town for part of the day. A quick drive from Austin, not far at all from San Antonio & well worth the drive or flight from anywhere in the world. This is the Texas trail running event of the year!
Simply sign up for the 1st race you want to take part in when you go to register (and that’s fine if you only want to do one). Then when you register you will have to choose your Start Option, then you can “add-on” a 2nd from there.
Check out this cool video of Krause Springs for a peek why this is the best swimming hole in all of Texas!
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.
Race Schedule
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Course Marking and Race Hub Setup: Sun up to sun down pretty much.
FRIDAY
Packet Pickup: 4:30pm-6:00pm
Pre-Race Briefing: 6:00pm-6:30pm Pre Race Briefing and Q&A w/ drinks and snacks provided by Tejas Trails (not mandatory)
Packet Pickup: 6:30pm-7:00pm
Big Screen Outdoor Movie: 7:00pm - we’ll start an outdoor sports movie, and at dusk we’ll transition to a fun, (family-friendly) ‘classic’, full-length movie. We’ll provide drinks for kids and adults, bring your own food and camping chairs or blankets.
SATURDAY
Packet Pickup:
6:00am-10:00am: for Morning Starts & Youth 1 Mile
5:30pm-6:30pm: for 5K (#2) & 10K #2 Evening Starts
Starts: Races kick off from 7:00am to 8:30pm. Longer distances are only offered with morning starts.
7:00am: 26.2 mile (#1) Morning Start
7:30am: 13.1 mile (#1) Morning Start
8:00am: 10K (#1) Morning Start
8:30am: 5K (#1) Morning Start
8:45am to 10:00am: Open Start (for those who want to avoid the mass start and are okay not being eligible for overall awards)
10:00am: Youth 1 Mile Pre Race Instructions on the Start Line, followed by the Official Start
6:30pm: 5K (#2) and 10K (#2) Evening Start
Fun: Night movies and live music and inflatables backyard games and swimming in the famous Krause Springs
All Morning: Live Texas music
All Morning to Mid-Afternoon: Bounce Houses & Inflatables for all ages to enjoy
All Day & Night: Krause Springs pool and natural springs and the lake are all available
All Day & Night: Backyard Games setup for you to enjoy
All Day & Night: Food trucks right above the main race hub
8:30pm: Night movie and post race hanging out (weather permitting)
Final Cutoff (Course Closed): 9:30pm
Teardown: Saturday all day and night, and Sunday morning to afternoon (yes, we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 26.2 Mile, 13.1 Mile, 10K, 5K
ROUTE DETAILS:
The race features a main 10km loop with an add-on of .35 for those in the half marathon or full marathon; and a shortcut for a 5km loop.
26.2 mile race is four exciting 6.55 mile loops. 13.1 miles is 2 loops. 10km and 5km are each one loop. For longer distances, when you return to the start line, cross the mat, hit the aid station if need be, and head back out for your next lap!
The Grelle Recreation Area trail system is a really fun set of trails. The course continuously runs up next to the lake, then leaves again back into the short hills.
These twisty trails are constantly flowing up and down across rocks, roots, and hard packed trails. There are a lot of short steep climbs, and one or two significantly longer hills that have been known to make a tough guy whine. All in all, this is a blast of a course!
All courses run clock-wise. Orange line is the full 6.55 mile loop (that the 1/2 marathon and marathon does repeatedly). Green line on the map is the 5k. Short purple line shows where the 10k cuts off the full loop.
This is an old elevation profile but 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’s 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’re new to trail running, you have to 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
There is not a good place to drop your own drop bags out on the course for this race loop, aside from the Start/Finish area. So you’ll need to be ready to make it the full loop with what you can carry on yourself.
We will provide water, ice, Vfuel gels, and some grab n go snacks (such as chips, cookies, etc.) at the Grelle Aid Station location (labeled “Full Aid Station” on the course map). This will be located at 3.5 miles into the loop. This station will likely be staffed from the beginning of the race until around 3:00pm. If it is, after that time, it will become a self-serve aid station for those still rolling through their laps.
We will also provide a Water Only station on the 5km loop, for those in the 5km. This will be accessible to everyone, but it is primarily for the 5km to have a refill on course if it’s needed. It will be around 2 miles into their (shorter) loop. You might find a surprise of some gels but only expect water here. Please note, this station may disappear after the 5km runners are all in, so if you’re in the longer distances, don’t get used to using it.
You may drop off your own ice chests, fluids, and any other food or supplies you’d like at the main Start/Finish/Turnaround Aid Station (known as “Waterfall A.S.”) before you start. That would get you to your items every 10km or 6.55 miles for the full loop (depending on your race distance).
We will have a fully staffed “Waterfall A.S.” (which is at the start/finish area at Krause Springs). It will include all the fixings and cowbells. Including, but not limited to: ice water, Tailwind, Coke, Ginger Ale, Mountain Dew, lots of sweet, and salty food choices, fresh fruits, Vfuel gels, etc. This is located at the Start/Finish/Turnaround Aid Station back at the Race Hub for you to hit between laps.
Remember, we are Cupless. This includes drinking water, Tailwind and sodas. You’ll need a collapsible cup or water bottle ready, in addition to your regular water bottle or hydration vest for that.
Drop Bags
As mentioned above, you may drop off your own ice chests, extra water, and any other food or supplies you’d like before you start anywhere around the Race Hub.
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.
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. For the “Open Start Option”, it is very important you do not get near the Start Line with your timing chip until you are ready to start. There is a different Start Line than the Finish Line/Next Lap Line. Consider the Start Line your “on ramp” onto the highway. Once on, you don’t hit that arch and timing mat again.
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 (Did Not Finish) 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 & Crews
Pacers are not allowed for this event. Crews can only help you at an Aid Station. If you ever receive food, drink, clothing, anything whatsoever from any point on the course outside the immediate area of an aid station / drop bag zone, you will be DQ’ed. It is your responsibility as the racer to let your friends and family know.
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 Top Masters male and Top Masters female (50 & up).
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.
We are proud to be a part of the Youth Trail Series by ATRA & USATF
If you see this badge on an event page, that means that event is a part of the Youth Trail Series, which is a growing nation-wide series of events that are seeking to help grow youth trail runners, to have more fun and be involved at the recreational level, and to ultimately lead to more competitive runners repping Team USA at international trail running races!
For any registrant who is 19 & Under, your registration will automatically be discounted 15-20%. No code is needed. This is good for all our races of 10 miles and shorter.
Getting Here
The Race Hub will be at Krause Springs.
Krause Springs
424 County Road 404
Spicewood, TX, 78669
Closest Cool Smaller Towns = Marble Falls, Cedar Park, Lampasas, Llano
Closest Larger Cities = Austin, San Antonio, Waco
Upon arrival, go through the gate and past the main parking area. Follow signs to “Level 2” or “Tier 2”. If you’re camping, you’ll need to check in at the main office to your left when you see the initial main parking lot. If you’re not staying the night at the park, just head straight through around to the back of the park. There are RV spaces on your left. The Race Hub is down below those.
Find a parking spot in the field and walk down. There is no parking down there on Level 2.
The race route will be leaving Krause Springs and entering onto Grelle Recreation Area (a LCRA park).
We are taking your park fees for both parks when you register. So runners will not have to pay upon entering the park, but spectators will. Please tell your friends and family to be cool about the day use fee, as it is a great way to support our local parks and ranches in their ongoing trail maintenance and other efforts. Also, if you decide to run on more than one day, you will need to pay for your park fees for the 2nd or 3rd day at packet pickup (cash only please).
Camping & Lodging
You can camp at Krause Springs or Grelle Recreation Area, but you’ll need to check with them to find out what is available. Krause Springs typically doesn’t do tent camping reservations, because they have so much room for tents. Krause Springs also has RV Hook-Ups.
At Krause Springs, there are a lot of tent & car camping spots available very close to the start/finish area. Please bring cash or check & know that it is first come, first serve (they’re old school).
Krause Springs takes reservations for RV hookups ONLY. You can call their office at (830) 693-4181, to check RV site availability and book your spot. You may reserve a RV site without a RV if you wish to have water and electric while you camp.
Grelle Recreation Area Website
NEARBY HOTELS
The nearest towns are Horseshoe Bay, Marble Falls, Bee Cave & Austin.
There are plenty of hotels and BnBs to choose from within a 15 min to a 45 min drive of Krause Springs.
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.
