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These races have been designed to introduce runners to the trails of the LBJ National Grasslands. Please keep in mind the spirit of trail running, and plan for real trail conditions. There may be some stream crossing, mud, sand, and underbrush to contend with besides the distance. Prepare for exposure to the elements with proper clothing. Plan to carry a water bottle. Water and SUCCEED! will be provided at aid stations to refill your bottle during the event. The LBJ National Grasslands does not have a source of drinking water available, so bring some for your start and finish needs.
Course markings are painted horseshoes, blazes, colored plastic diamonds, and ribbons attached to trees and posts. This is not a road race, and you will be responsible for staying on course! Course markings are frequent and set to appear in a dependable manner. You will need to follow the color for the loop you are running. There are areas where different loops share a trail and up to three colors will appear. Stay alert!
The start is 7:00 a.m. for 50 mile runners. It will be dark for the first couple miles. Plan to use a flashlight which can be dropped off at 1.5 miles and will be returned to TADRA drop bag location. We will hang glow sticks on the first section on the Blue loop.
Marathon and Half Marathon runners start together at 8:00 a.m.
The 50 mile race consists of the Blue loop, 15.5 miles, the Yellow loop 10.4 miles, the White loop of 14.8, and finally the Red loop that is 10.3. The White loop must be completed before 5:30 p.m. for a 50 mile runner to be allowed to continue.
The 8:00 a.m. start will lead runners on a short distance correcting out and back section before splitting the Half Marathon runners to the Yellow loop and Marathon runners to the Blue loop. Marathoners will run Blue and then finish by running the Yellow loop.
Each runner will turn in the tear off tag on the bottom of the race number, during the first mile of each event. Do not pin the tear off portion, as you will want this hand off to go quickly. Collecting the tear off tag gives us a method to track runners on the course, and also provide finish line accounting data. Have your tag ready!
The start/finish major aid station during the 50 mile event is at 15.5, 25.9, and 39.7 miles. You may leave a waterproof drop bag with your name on it at this point for use during the race. Extra clothes, special food, or medication, can be left in your drop bag and quickly accessed as you finish each loop. Back of the pack 50 milers should carry a flashlight on the fourth loop!
Aid stations will be available at 2-4 mile distances throughout the races. Signs before each station will give you the distance to your next aid opportunity. Sweep riders will be on horseback following the last runners for safety purposes. They will carry emergency water. Please, do not drop out of the race without notifying race management via a HAM radio operator, the race director, or the scoring team at the finish area.
The trails are open to others on race day and you should offer trail right of way to any horseback rider. The gates you encounter along the trail should be closed behind you if the next runner is not in sight. Cattle are grazing in some areas of the Grasslands and these gates must be closed for that reason.
The LBJ National Grasslands Ranger station is located on the East side of HWY 287 North of HWY 380 and should be open Friday if you have questions about the area. Or call them at 940-627-5475. Camping at TADRA Point start/finish is available. Parking passes will be provided with your race packet. NO WATER or power is available, and toilets are chem type. Folding chairs are highly recommended. Dogs are welcome at camp and on the trail if leashed and well behaved.
Decatur is about 20 minutes from the start and has several hotels and many restaurants. Registration plus race packets including your entrant shirt may be picked up Friday March 21, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Ramada Limited of Decatur 940-627-6262, located on the East side of HWY 287 South of HWY 380.
Day of race packet pick-up starts at 6:00 a.m. Saturday March 22, in TADRA campground. Give yourself plenty of time to reach the start line, as the area will be dark and very rural and could take up to 30 minutes from Decatur. See directions to the start. YOU WILL NEED THEM!
Awards will be presented as you finish. Walkers are encouraged in the Half Marathon. If you have further questions regarding the race, or trail running, contact race director, Suzi Cope @ 817-410-2401.
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