Cactus Rose Endurance Trail Race
Races: 5 mi, 25 mi, 50 mi, 100 mi, 5 mi ruck, 25 mi ruck, youth 1 mi
When: October 25-27, 2024
Where: Hill Country State Natural Area
10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003
Closest smaller cities: Bandera, Kerrville, Medina, Helotes, Boerne
Closest bigger cities: San Antonio, Austin
First off: No whiners, wimps, or wusses! This race was designed to test runners over rugged technical terrain. The old-school self-support style of putting out your own gear remains the same.
This was meant to be a tough race ...on purpose. If there is an option up a hill, we will mark the hardest option. The views are spectacular and picturesque, and the event is always beautiful in every sense of the word.
We’re excited to Offer a Ruck Division to Cactus Rose! See details further down.
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, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
Course Marking and Race Hub Setup: Late morning to sundown on Tuesday, then around 8:00am to sun down on Wednesday and Thursday
Packet Pickup: 10:00am-7:00pm (at iRun Texas, Dominion Location in San Antonio)
WEDNESDAY ONLY
Shakeout Run: 6:00pm (at iRun Texas, Dominion Location in San Antonio)
FRIDAY
Packet Pickup: 2:30pm-3:30pm
100 Milers Show to Start Line for a Short Race Briefing: 3:45pm
100 Mile Mass Start: 4:00pm
Packet Pickup Continued: 5:30pm-7:00pm
SATURDAY
Packet Pickup:
7:00am-9:00am (for all Races)
10:15am-10:30am (for Youth 1 Mile Race)
Start:
8:00am = 5 mi & 5 mi Ruck Mass / Competitive Start
8:15am = 50 mi, 25 mi & 25 mi Ruck Mass / Competitive Start
8:30am-9:30am = Start Line open for all distances
9:30am = Start Line closed
10:30am = Youth 1 Mile Mass Start
SUNDAY
Final Lap Cutoff: 1:00am. You must be on your last lap.
Course Closed: 12:00pm on Sunday.
Aid Station Cutoffs: See Aid Station Chart below
Teardown: Sunday all day and night, and Monday morning (yes, we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 5 mi, 25 mi, 50 mi, 100 mi, 5 mi ruck, 25 Mi Ruck, youth 1 mi
ROUTE DETAILS:
Every distance runs clockwise for their first lap. If you are doing a single lap race you will only go clockwise. For multiple lap races, you will run the other direction every other lap. i.e. Laps 1 and 3 are clockwise, and Laps 2 and 4 are counter-clockwise.
The race features a main 25 mile loop with a shortcut for a 5 mile loop. The 5 mile race will go toward Boyles, and turn right to enter the course. Then follow the main route back to the finish line.
You can expect around 2500 feet of elevation change, up and down, per lap. The 5 miler doesn’t have much flat aside from the start.
The Hill Country State Natural Area is notorious for rocks and sotol and challenging beauty! Unlike the Bandera race out there, there is really no extensive flat section, only a few miles around the Boyles Aid Station section of the course. So, you’re mostly either climbing or descending…on rocks…lots and lots of rocks…
It’s gorgeous, but don’t watch the sunrise or sunset too long, or you’ll end up face first in a cactus.
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
This is what makes this race what it is. You place your bags and ice chests. Take care of yourself. After the race, you go get them. Or if you’re really fortunate, you share this adventure with your crew and pacers. Here’s more of what that means exactly:
You should still plan for the old school Cactus Rose style of racing and aid station drop bag planning like all previous years.
5 milers should have everything you need for your entire lap.
Do not count on this at any point, but consider it bonus if you happen to run into some of our friends here and there who may have some special treats for you. Perhaps they’ll have some cold coke if it’s hot, or some hot soup, potatoes, or coffee if it’s cold. Think of it like you are on a long hiking trip and you happened into a nice person camping in the woods who had some extra food in their tent to share.
We will provide ice and water at all aid stations. Along with a lot of hand sanitizer. Please use the hand sanitizer before handling any ice scoops.
You are more than welcome to place your own ice chests and your own water at all 5 aid stations, along with your drop bags. Just leave your items spaced out along the race route anywhere nearby the aid stations.
See more specific details about drop bags below in the next section.
Download and Save the Course Map below, and that will show you the driving roads you need to access each spot. All access roads are paved and flat.
You must also ‘sign in’ at every aid station (with the exception of YaYa and Nachos A.S. on Lap 1 only). From then on, beginning at Equestrian A.S. in other words, you must write your Bib # and Time of Day in the provided notepads lying on the table). There will be a clock there too so if you don’t wear a watch, you’ll be fine.
Please tell your crew that they must park in parking spaces only. Not along the edge of the road. They could get ticketed or towed for doing that. The only exception is at Nacho Aid Station. There are some spots a little past it under a power line. Then there are more even further past that. Do not park in the yard or driveway further up there.
Also please make sure your crew doesn’t move into the shelter. Leave room for runners coming through.
There are cutoffs at each aid station starting at Mile 50, for the 100 milers. We will do a rolling teardown behind those cutoffs. So, they are not negotiable. Those cutoffs are quitting time for a bunch of volunteers who will be ready to get home.
Drop Bags
If you’re going about the drop bags on your own, you can feel free to place whatever you want, anywhere nearby where you see our green 10x20 tent. Just keep it orderly and avoid placing them on all dirt or paved roads, trails, and parking spaces.
Please just keep in mind, there will be a lot of others trying to find a good spot to place their supplies too.
You may not place your items inside our 10x20 tent. But you can take your stuff into it if you need to. For instance, if you need to replace batteries in your headlamp while it’s raining or something of the sort.
All Aid Stations are right off a main park road, aside from Boyles Aid Station and YaYa Aid Station. Boyles is about a half mile out and half mile back hike from the Group Lodge. You cannot drive to Boyles. Think about that for picking stuff up after you have run for a couple days.
YaYa Aid Station is a little off the main road just beyond Equestrian on the opposite side of the street.
See the downloadable maps attached below to see how to get to each aid station.
Ruck Division
If you haven’t experienced a ruck challenge or competition, they are wonderfully simplistic and can take place in a variety of looks and feels. We are not going to have challenges along the way. Just straight hiking/jogging on a trail with a ruck (pack), from the start line to the finish line. So, all you need to join in on the Ruck division is a ruck (pack) with some weight in it, and the ability to cover some rugged Texas Hill Country trail miles.
Top finishers will be rewarded nicely (same divisions as our regular trail runs). All finishers will receive a patch and finisher medal.
We are now offering a ‘long course’ and ‘less long course’ at each event we offer the Ruck Division!
FURTHER DETAILS:
If you weigh under 150lbs, we will require a 20lb weight.
If you weigh over 150lbs, we will require a 30lb weight.
Mandatory ruck weigh in will take place prior to the start when you pick up your timing chip, and at the finish line.
Weight cannot be anything consumable or wearable like food or water or clothing. But pretty much anything else goes.
The mandatory amount of weight cannot be on the shoulders or chest. It must be on your back.
No sling bags or duffel bags or anything like that.
Any type of backpack (ruck) is acceptable otherwise.
No trekking poles allowed.
You can carry additional gear and supplies like food, water and clothing (and you should), but that will be additional weight.
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. 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 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
For 100 milers, pacers are allowed after your 2nd lap. For 50 milers, pacers are allowed after dark. 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 award the Top 3 Overall + Top 1 Masters (50 & Older) per distance.
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
Everything happens at Hill Country State Natural Area.
Upon arrival, when coming from the town of Bandera, the road will turn to dirt. It’s a well-maintained, relatively 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, general parking is on the right. Just park in straight rows. RVs can park on the left. No hook-ups over there, but plenty of space for any size RV. It’s a large flat field.
There is a larger field behind the previously described field on your left and the corral. Drive through the gate around the near side of the corral, and find a spot back there. Same thing, please begin a new straight line for parking. Packet Pickup will be in the open face barn or front porch of the old house. Either way, in plain sight around the old historic ranch house.
Camping & Lodging
Primitive camping is available at the park, and 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).
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.
