Texas Tough 5k, 10k & 10 Mile

Get ready for a true Texas challenge in the heart of Helotes! This exciting community race will showcase the natural beauty and rolling terrain the area is known for—delivering the signature E-Dragon toughness with hills, scenic views, and a course that will test your grit from start to finish.

Choose your distance with three race options: the Texas Tough 10 Miler, 10K, or 5K. Each course is designed to challenge runners of all levels, featuring elevation that pushes you to your limits and makes every finish line moment earned.

Participants who pre-register will receive a high-quality sublimated running shirt, and all runners will have the opportunity to earn one of E-Dragon’s signature custom finisher medals—crafted each year to stand out. The 10 Miler will also include a premium singlet option for those looking to elevate their race-day experience.

Race day will be fully supported with professional chip timing for the 5K and 10K, organized course management, on-site restrooms, and a high-energy finish line atmosphere with music and live announcing to celebrate every runner. Post-race, participants can enjoy breakfast tacos and coffee as they recover and connect with the community.

With age group awards, overall and masters recognition, flexible refund and virtual race options, and a strong “by runners, for runners” approach, this event is designed to deliver a high-quality experience for everyone involved. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or taking on the hills for the first time, Helotes is ready to deliver.

WELCOME TO THE TEXAS TOUGH FAQ
(Also known as “Things You Probably Wanted to Ask Before Signing Up for This Madness”)

If you still have questions after reading this FAQ, either:
A. We forgot something
B. You didn’t read it carefully enough while pretending to stretch
C. You’re already dehydrated

Either way, we’re happy to help.

Where is the event going to be held?
We are officially back in beautiful Helotes, Texas. Yes, the hills are still there. We checked.
What is the course like?
Imagine a relationship with Texas weather… unpredictable, emotional, and slightly abusive. That’s our course.
Every route is loaded with hills until your legs begin negotiating with your brain. By the end, you’ll either feel accomplished or question every life decision that brought you here. Possibly both.

Do we receive a shirt?
Absolutely. All participants who register at least two weeks before the race receive one of our amazing sublimated running shirts in the size they actually want.
10 Miler runners can also select one of our premium singlets because if you’re going to suffer, you might as well look elite doing it.

Register early because once sizes are gone, they are gone faster than your motivation at mile 8.

Do we receive a medal?
Yes. And not one of those tiny “participation” pancakes either.
E-Dragon Productions takes medals seriously. We work hard every year to create a medal worthy of your pain, sweat, tears, and questionable hill-running decisions.

Current medal projection: 300
Translation: Register early before you’re staring sadly at Facebook medal photos later.

Is this event chip timed?
Yes. IAAP Timing will officially time all 5K and 10K runners.
Meaning:
Your friends will know exactly how fast you ran.
There is no hiding.
No “my watch didn’t start” excuses.

Please check your bib number online before packet pickup. If picking up for a friend, bring a picture of their ID so we know you’re not stealing race bibs for fun.

Do you have age group awards?
Yes we do.
Top 3 male and female finishers in each age group receive official E-Dragon award coins.

Age Groups:
• 19 & Under
• 20–29
• 30–39
• 40–49
• 50–59
• 60–69
• 70+

We also have Overall and Masters awards because some of y’all are still out here running 6-minute miles at age 58 and honestly it’s terrifying.

What time does the race start?
• 10 Miler — 7:30 AM
• 10K — 7:35 AM
• 5K — 7:40 AM
Yes, it’s early.
No, the sun does not care about your sleep schedule.

If weather delays us, we’ll keep everyone informed and make the safest decision possible because while suffering is part of the event, heat stroke is not.

Will there be bathrooms?
Yes. Plenty of them.
Because nothing bonds runners together like standing in line nervously 10 minutes before the gun goes off.

Will there be packet pickup?
Yes. We offer both pre-race and race morning packet pickup.
Please check the Packet Pickup section of our website because race directors love many things… but answering “What time is packet pickup?” 347 times is not one of them.

Do you offer a virtual option?
Yes.
If hills aren’t your thing but medals are, sign up virtually and complete the race wherever and whenever you want.

Run on a treadmill.
Run in your neighborhood.
Run away from your responsibilities.
We support all of it.

Will there be finisher medals?
Listen… our medals are kind of a big deal.
Every year we try to outdo ourselves, and this year’s medal is no exception. Medal reveal happens mid-May and yes, we know many of you sign up purely because of the medal.

We respect it.

What events are offered?
This year’s chaos includes:
• Texas Tough 10 Miler
• Texas Tough 10K
• Texas Tough 5K
Choose your level of regret wisely.

What is your refund policy?
Honestly? Probably one of the best in the running industry.
More than 30 days out:
We’ll refund your registration minus processing fees.

Within 29 days:
We’ll transfer you to virtual at no extra cost and ship your packet.

Because life happens:
injuries, kids, work, bad decisions, sudden hatred of hills… we understand.

Will there be food?
Yes.
Breakfast tacos and coffee will be waiting at the finish line because nobody trusts a race that only gives out bananas.

Will there be music and an announcer?
Absolutely.
DJ Paul and Anthony Zamora will be bringing the energy, music, motivation, and occasional public embarrassment all morning long.

Crossing the finish line quietly is not an option.

Can businesses sponsor the event?
Yes.
We welcome sponsors and vendors of all sizes. Sponsorships range from $150 to $5,000 depending on your level.

Want your business seen by sweaty people making emotional purchasing decisions after a run? This is your chance.

Contact:
Edragontees@gmail.com

Can I use my E-Dragon Coins?
Absolutely.
Your E-Dragon Coins can be used toward any qualifying E-Dragon Productions main event.

Because loyalty should be rewarded… especially if you survived these hills before.

Still have questions?
Reach out to us anytime and we’ll gladly help. If your question is good enough, we may even add it to this FAQ so future runners can laugh and panic too.

Virtual 5K: T-Shirt

Texas Tough 5k: T-Shirt

Texas Tough 10k: Running Polyest T-shirt

Texas Tough 10 Mile: Running Polyester T-shirt or singlet

Virtual 10M: T-Shirt or Singlet

Virtual 10K: T-Shirt or Singlet