Pandora’s Box of Rox Trail Race
Races: 52.4 mi, 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi, 8 mi, 4 mi, Youth 1 mi
When: April 27, 2024
Where: Reveille Peak Ranch, Burnet, TX
Join your friends at one of the largest and most exciting, locally owned and operated trail runs around! With unrivaled course markings; unique swag; fully-stocked aid stations; and exhilarating scenery; come play, run, and feel like a kid again! Spectators get in for free, and everyone can enjoy Reveille Peak Ranch, just outside Austin, TX.
With beginner friendly distances, like an 8 mile run and a 4 mile run, along with the youth mile, this makes for a fun family friendly event as well as a super tough long distance race for those wanting to tackle the 1/2 marathon, full marathon or double marathon!
The trails pass through beautiful meadows, cold creek crossings, scenic overlooks, and up and over one of the largest granite domes in this part of the country! Then enjoy the after party under the shade of the lakeside pavilion, with some food truck goodness, games, a swimming pool next to the finisher chute, and a few hundred really awesome amigos!
Reveille Peak Ranch Waiver
Everyone who enters onto the ranch must fill this out. Racers, spectators, everyone. Save some time by printing it off, signing, and bringing it with you.
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: 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
SATURDAY
Packet Pickup: 5:00am-10:00am
Start:
6:00am = 52.4 mi Mass / Competitive Start
7:00am = 26.2 mi Mass / Competitive Start
7:30am = 13.1 mi Mass / Competitive Start
8:00am = 8 mi Mass / Competitive Start
8:15am = 4 mi Mass / Competitive Start
8:30am-10:00am = Open Start Line all distances (for those who want to avoid the mass start and are okay not being eligible for overall awards)
10:30am = Youth 1 Mile Mass Start
Final Lap Cutoffs: 6:00pm (must be on your last lap)
Course Closed: 10:00pm
Aid Station Cutoffs: See Aid Station Chart below
Teardown: Saturday all day and night, and Sunday morning (yes, we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: Double Marathon (52.4 Mi), Marathon (26.2 Mi), 1/2 Marathon (13.1 Mi), 8 Mi, 4 Mi
ROUTE DETAILS:
13.1 mi = 1 full lap
26.2 mi = 2 full laps
52.4 mi = 4 full laps
8 mi = 1 lap (you'll run past the ROAD A.S., then have a well-marked cutoff of the bigger loop after going up, over and all around the big granite dome. This will bring you back past the ROAD A.S. on the opposite side of the tent from the first time you passed it, going the other direction. Then you will run along a wider jeep road for a little bit until you head back uphill along a fun single track trail as you meet back with the full lap to the lake and finish line.
4 mi = 1 lap (you’ll have a sharp right turn at the near edge of the ROAD A.S. run along a wider jeep road for a little bit until you head back uphill along a fun single track trail as you meet back with the full lap to the lake and finish line).
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.
Please pay attention at this ranch though. They oftentimes have other colored ribbons in trees that we have to leave up. All ours are pink or orange, and all on clips. None of ours are looped around branches. They also have some spraypainted arrows on permanent rock. We try to hide it, but don’t pay attention to these spraypainted arrows.
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 on these distance signs, 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
We will have full on staffed aid stations with all the elaborate sweet and salty food options, fruit, sodas, Tailwind, Vfuel, Saltstick, water, ice, etc. at the Start/Finish/Next Lap Aid Station (“LAKE A.S.”) and the JACK A.S. We will, at minimum, have water, Tailwind, ice, and Vfuel at ROAD A.S., and the same at GATE A.S. plus “grab n go snacks”.
So, those doing the 4 and 8 mile races will have supplies.
Those doing the 8 miler and longer need to be ready to carry water for a few miles on the hot, exposed granite section.
Note that the water at unstaffed aid stations will potentially be half liter disposable / recyclable bottles and may or may not be on ice the entire day (depending on how many volunteers we get). But it will be in shade, and it will be wet.
For those doing the full 13.1 mile loop, there is a spot you can access the loop at around mile 8 (give or take), and place your own drop bag and/or small ice chest. Note, this is not a part of the 4 mile or 8 mile race course. We are calling this “GATE” on the aid station chart.
Drop Bags
We do not provide drop bag delivery service for this race. But you can place your own drop bags in two spots.
LAKE A.S. (start/finish/next lap): As for your drop bag placement around the start/finish area, we keep this event loose. You can place your drop bag anywhere around the outside of the race chute or in the pavilion (note the Pavilion can get crowded with spectators and packet pickup, etc.).
GATE: We are providing you access to the “360 Bridge” gate entrance. This is a little over 9 miles into the full 13.1 mile loop. If you want to place your own small ice chest and/or drop bag at this location, you may place your supplies in the shade, just off the dirt road (do not place anything on the road). Note: Gate A.S. is NOT on the 4 mile or 8 mile course.
Here are instructions regarding the 360 Bridge drop bag spot:
We are not delivering or picking up drop bags. It’s up to you to get them here, and retrieve them after your race (do not leave them after your race).
You can drop off whatever you want, within reason. i.e. no tents.
This spot will not be monitored, and Tejas Trails does not assume responsibility for your items left here.
If the gate is open, you can drive through the gate. If it is closed, do not drive inside the gate. Park outside it, open the gate, walk through the gate, close the gate all the way behind you, and walk the very short distance to the spot where the race course crosses the jeep road. It is obvious and in plain sight.
You can place your drop bag along that road, but trucks must be able to drive along it. So keep it tucked into the woods. You can also place your bags up the trail either way, as long as it is reasonably close to that intersection and not impeding the race course.
Instructions to the 360 Bridge are as follows:
From Reveille Peak Ranch, exit the ranch and go left onto CR 114. Take a left on CR 115. Stay on CR 115 until you cross under a huge foot bridge that goes over the road called “Pole Gate Bridge”.
There is a gate here; you do NOT want this one. Keep going until you see a second big overhead foot bridge and gate. This is “360 Bridge”.
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.
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
Pacers are allowed after their runner has completed two full loops. 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 the free online 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 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
Everything happens at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, TX.
Reveille Peak Ranch
105 CR 114
Burnet, TX 78611
GPS Coordinates:
30º48.468 - 98º20.055
Closest smaller cities: Marble Falls, Cedar Park, Lampasas, Llano
Closest bigger cities: Austin, San Antonio, Waco
When you enter the ranch, you’ll be turning off CR 114, then driving on a granite dirt road for a couple minutes. You’ll pass by the check-in gate and then find your way to the parking area which is hard packed dirt/granite rock for the most part. The 2-story pavilion is huge, right next to the onsite lake, and very easy to spot. The staff may not be parking people the entire time with this new ongoing start schedule. If this is the case, simply park in rows like the example from other cars.
You will need to sign the ranch waiver upon arrival if you don’t print it off and bring it with you. Either way, you’ll have to sign a waiver to enter the property, even if you did it the year before. See next section below for details about Day Use Fees and Camping Fees.
Packet Pickup will be under the covered pavilion. The start/finish/next lap lines will be in front of it.
Camping & Lodging
Details & Fees:
There is plenty of first come, first serve camping all around the Pavilion and lake the whole weekend at Reveille Peak Ranch. Please stop at the Check-In Hut and fill out waivers and take care of fees before proceeding to the camping or Pavilion.
If you want a hotel room nearby, Tejas Trails recommends you book your hotel through this booking portal: Hotels for Hope
Camping Fees:
Racers pay $20 per night to camp.
Non racing guests pay $30 the first night, and then $20 for each additional night.
Kids 6-11 are half price.
5 & Under camp for free.
RV Info:
They do have a handful of RV electric sites. You can email info@rprtexas.com or text Andrea at 512-914-9411 for questions and reservations. Power ($25/night) is still available. RVs can run a generator or boondock for no additional fees
Day Use Fees:
Racers’ day use fee is covered by your registration for the race. Please note, this only counts for your race day. So, for the years we offer races on more than one day, you will need to pay for your other day should you return to watch the other day.
Your race registration fee covers your friends and family’s day use fees too. As long as they arrive in the same vehicle as a racer, they will be free, no matter how many there are.
Guests in separate cars will each pay the normal Reveille Peak Day Use Fee.
$10 each for 12 and older
$5 each for 6-11 years old
Free for 5 and under
Other Details:
They are often open prior to race days for pre-running, mountain biking and to set up camp. You should check with them via their website and contact info to be sure before you drive out there though. All adults and kids will need to sign a ranch waiver at the gate - print one from the top of this webpage to save time. Regular day use fees apply for non-race days. Kids' waivers must always be signed by a parent or guardian!
Always check with the Burnet official sites to see if a burn ban is in affect or not. If fires are allowed, bring firewood and marshmallows for small cooking fires if you'd like. If there is a burn ban, be sure to bring a propane burner or a pit with a bottom for a small cooking fire or plan accordingly.
They do not take credit cards - cash or check only!
