Brazos Bend 100

December 5th, 2026

Sponsored by Altra Running and NeverSecond

Western States 100 Lottery Qualifier (sub 32-hour 100-mile) with 119 qualifiers in 2024 and 133 qualifier in 2025!

This is the December edition of our popular Brazos Bend races, with the marquee event being the 100-mile.

The Brazos Bend 100 is the largest trail race in Texas and one of the fastest trail races in the world on flat and smooth trails with incredible support from aid stations on a multi-loop course. The top 3 runners were under 16 hours in 2024. The course is 99.9% flat, and the only "hill" is a 10-foot rise over 0.1 of a mile. The rest of the ~16.7mi loop is flat surfaces that move from hard crushed rock, soft hiking trails under tree canopy, and smooth horse trails. Most runners will use a road shoe like the Altra Vanish Carbon 2, Torin 8, or Flow 2 but under wetter conditons a trail shoe may be a better choice. Conditions in December can have a mix of anything, but are typically great for running, genneraly between 40-70 degrees. Brazos Bend is a spectacular State Park located just South of Houston/Sugar Land and is most known for its abundance of birds and American Alligators, among other wildlife. The gators are a part of our race; there has never been an incident in the park's 50-year history. Enjoy them on your run, from a distance, and you may get some unique race photos!

Complete the 50K or 50M in April, AND the 100K or 100M in December of the same calendar year to earn the Brazos Bend Challenge Coin.

Cutoff Times: for ALL races, the finish line closes on Sunday at 2 PM (32h 100M, 31h 100k, 31.5h Marathon, 31h Half Marathon). Final lap starts will be assessed to meet the course time limit at the discretion of the race director and staff.

Information for the 2026 event is continuing to be updated as we get closer to event day. We do not expect any major changes, but stay tuned to your email for updates. The RunSignup page is your best place for event information. Please try our AI Chatbot to ask any questions you may have.

Once you are registered you will receive a referral code to share with your friends, family, social media followers, clubs, and teams. After 5 registrations using your code, you will receive cash back and 10 registrations receive a TROT swag item bonus.

Complete the Brazos Bend 50M or 50K in April, AND the Brazos Bend 100M or 100K in December of the same calendar year, to be eligible for the bonus Brazos Bend Challenge coin.

The challenge is simple, run two Brazos Bend ultra-distance events in the same calendar year, and receive a bonus challenge coin based on the total:

• 150M (100M and 50M)
• 200KM (100M and 50KM)
• 100M (100KM and 50M)
• 150KM (100KM and 50KM)

If you can no longer attend the event, your best option is to head to your registration on RunSignup and complete a Race Transfer. You will be credited a % of your original amount based on when the transfer is initiated for use on a future event. There are other options available including deferral, participant/bib transfer, or use of your race insurance if it was purchased.

Please do not collect a race bib if you do not plan on starting.

The current schedule is subject to change.

Tuesday, December 1st:

​Packet Pickup (Day 1) sponsored by Altra Running and Good Times Running Co.

• Noon to 7 PM at Good Times Running Co, 22764 Westheimer Pkwy #650, Katy, TX 77450

Friday, December 4th:

• Packet Pickup (Day 2) & Merch: Noon to 7 PM at Elm Lake Pavilion (Brazos Bend State Park)
• Personal Support Area Setup at Elm Lake, set up your canopies, chairs, gear, etc., and can leave it set up overnight, but no camping in this area.
• Bag Drop for Sawmill Aid Station

 Saturday, December 5th:

• Parking Shuttle Begin: 5 AM
• Packet Pickup & Merch (Race Day) Elm Lake Pavilion: 5 AM to 5 PM (Ultra Runners Only till 7 AM)
• 100M Start: 6:00 AM
• 100k Start: 7:00 AM
• Marathon Start: 8:00 AM
• Half Marathon Start: 8:30 AM
• Free Kids Race: Noon

Sunday, December 6th:

• ​​Finish Line Closes (all events cutoff): 2:00 PM SUNDAY

The finish line for all events closes on Sunday at 2:00 PM. 

Cutoffs per event:

• 100M: 32 Hours
• 100K: 31 Hours
• Marathon: 30 Hours
• Half Marathon: 29.5 Hours

Official time uses the event starts (gun time) NOT when you cross the start line. We will also record chip time. No early starts. No official finishers after 2:00 PM. 

The Race Director will track and assess each runner's progress and has the ultimate decision, along with the Medical Director and Park Staff, throughout the event for runners to continue additional loops, or not, for their own safety, venue permit timing, and courtesy to our staff and volunteers.

Cash prize purse for the 100 Mile:

First Place Male & Female: $500

Second Place Male & Female: $250

Third Place Male & Female: $100

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Prizes for Top Overall and 10-year Age Category winner prizes for all events in both Male and Female categories: U20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

All finishers receive an event-specific finishers' award: 100M Buckle, 100k Buckle, Marathon Medal, and Half Marathon Medal.

Flat and fast. Under dry conditions, most runners will choose road shoes on these wide, smooth pathways with minimal debris and good footing. Some sections can become muddy when wet. 2026 courses to be finalized (the course is always subject to minor changes).

100 MILE COURSE

100 KILOMETER COURSE

13.1 / 26.2 COURSE

Brazos Bend 100 will have a total of three fully stocked aid stations on the course sponsored by NeverSecond.

ALL runners must carry a form of hydration (bottle, flask, bladder, etc.). There will be NO hydration cups at the aid stations.

• 40 Acre Lake: unmanned water/bathrooms (no drop bags), shuttle point
• Nature Center Aid Station: Full Aid with bathrooms (no drop bags), shuttle point
• Hale Lake Road Crossing: Unmanned water only
• Sawmill Aid Station: Full Aid with bathrooms, no shuttle, drop bags
• Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station and event area (personal area setup)
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Runners, family, friends, and crew are encouraged to set up their own hang-out support area around the large grass area at the start/finish for extended rest periods, personal gear, and preferences for food and hydration. It is common for clubs, teams, and families to have a tent set up to enjoy the day. There is no camping at Elm Lake Pavilion. Runners can have access to their personal gear between loops.

All Trail Racing Over Texas events supply free photos to our runners, which are available on the RunSignup event page and the TROT Facebook page. Photos are typically available by the end of day on Friday after the race weekend.

Runners, do not purchase extra park passes for your pacers, they will be required to purchase as part of their pacer registration on RunSignup (see registration page). You may purchase extra park passes for your crew/family/friends (mandatory for all park entrants 13y and Older - see Park Passes and Camping Section for more info).

Pacer registration opens on November 1st.

100 Mile runners may have a pacer on the final two (2) loops.

100 Kilometer runners may have a pacer for the final loop only.

We will have over 300 registered ultra runners and tons of support, you will not be alone! Pacers are not required and should only be used as "safety runners" to accompany runners that may need some company. No "muling" (carrying or sharing of gear for your runner). 

NO pacers in the marathon, or half marathon events.

​You may only have 1-person pacing you at a time. Pacers can only start/finish at the Main Start/Finish after check-in and must be on foot.​

​Pacers will register the same way participants register on RunSignup.

​Crew is allowed at any aid station in limited amounts. Crew will need to shuttle, walk, or bike to access (there is no stopping a vehicle at an aid station). Crew can not use aid station supplies. Pacers have full access to the aid stations (same as registered runners). 

​Crew, pacer, and support numbers will be limited by vehicle, support for individuals should carpool in a single vehicle. Excessive amounts of vehicles per runner will not be permitted to enter the park (there will be no parking available if this is abused). All individuals associated with the race, including crew, support, and pacers are permitted to ride the parking shuttles for free in the park for access to the Elm Lake pavilion Start/Finish from the other parking areas.

Runners may not receive aid on course, outside of official aid station areas (all of Elm Lake area is allowed as a personal crew area).

No muling (pacer may not carry or supply gear to their runner outside of aid station areas).

Driving and parking on paved surfaces only, areas will be designated and guided by park staff. Park police will strictly monitor for speed and cars stopped on roadways. Shuttles will run between parking lots to and from the Elm Lake Start/Finish. The Start/Finish is a half-mile walk from the Nature Center Lot. No/Limited Parking at Elm Lake except for staff, volunteers, handicapped, and emergency vehicles. No stopping on roadways to load/unload.

Special Event Park Passes purchased via the TROT Store (will open in November) are required for all individuals 13 years and older. Annual Park Passes are not accepted during special events for event attendees in any start park for any type of special event. Park passes are included in runner and pacer registration fees, and additional passes are available on the TROT Store starting in November. The park fees are passed through directly to the park and are not refundable. 

​State Park camping must be reserved via the online reservation system. No car camping or overnighting at Elm Lake or any parking lots. Camping reservations within the state park include park passes for guests.

Thank you to our multi-year presenting sponsor, Altra Running. Featuring foot-shaped toe boxes and low/no drop for trail, road, and casual footwear. Be sure to checkout the 2026 lineup of their greatest models to date and stay tuned for discounts and giveaways for the Brazos Bend 100 presented by Altra Running. 

The Brazos Bend 100 miler distance has been an official Western States Endurance Run qualifying race for over five years. Since BB100 is held in early December, around the same time as the WSER lottery, our race will earn you a raffle ticket to the following year's lottery for next year's WSER. Example: If you qualify in 2026 you will earn a 2027 raffle ticket for the 2028 WSER race lottery. The annual list of races with official confirmation from WSER comes in the Fall and will be announced. 
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"We [WSER] are pleased to inform you that the 2024 Brazos Bend 100 has been selected as a qualifying race for the 2026 Western States 100. Runners who complete the race within 32 hours will qualify to enter a lottery where the runners for Western States will be selected. You do not need to submit anything to us, we will obtain the results directly from your website.

The qualifying period for the 2025 Western States will be from November 6, 2023 through November 3, 2024. The lottery will be held on December 7, 2024 and the race itself will be run on June 28-29, 2025."

The 2024 Brazos Bend 100 WSER Lottery qualifying time aligned with the events 32 hour cutoff (all official finishers).

[standby for updated 2026 information]

Click the volunteer tab on RunSignup to see all available volunteer positions.

We are currently accepting club/team aid station takeover requests (please email volunteer@trailracingovertexas.com).

Earn free race credits and valuable experience while helping your ultra trail community of runners and meeting new friends. Volunteer as an individual or a group (team/club aid station takeovers wanted!). Family, friends, and youth (accompanied) can earn future race credits for themselves or pass them on to others. 

Volunteering spots are open for registration from the sidebar menu.

Visit the Trail Racing Over Texas Volunteer Page for more information.