The Trailway Trail Race
Races: 50k, 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi, 10k, 26 mi Ruck, 10k Ruck, 5k, youth mi 1
When: September 28, 2024
Where: Lake Somerville State Park, Birch Creek Unit
14222 Park Road 57, Somerville, TX 77879
Closest smaller cities: Somerville, Brenham, Caldwell
Closest bigger cities: Bryan, College Station, Austin, Waco, Houston
The Lake Somerville State Park is unique in that it is actually two parks linked up. The trail that links the two parks is a gorgeous path full of natural habitats and wildlife called The Trailway. For now, we will run the entire race in the Birch Creek Unit. But we are excited about the future as a huge washed out bridge is expected to get re-built eventually, that will gain us access from one side of the lake all the way around to the other side to the Nails Creek Unit (over a marathon of trails one way!). The rest of the park’s trails at the Birch Creek Unit, which we’ll be using, flow through some really fun, rolling terrain right next to the lake. It’s exposed to the sky at times and fully canopied at times, but very pleasant all the time. The start/finish is at a sweet spot on the edge of the lake with a huge grass lawn to relax and play on post-race. Your family and friends will love waiting for you all day at this one!
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 - FRIDAY
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 provided by Tejas Trails (not mandatory)
Packet Pickup: 6:30pm-7:00pm
SATURDAY
Packet Pickup:
6:00am-8:30am = for all distances
9:45am-10:00am = for Youth 1 Mile
Start:
7:00am = 50km, 26.2 mi & 26 mi Ruck Mass / Competitive Start
7:30am = 13.1 mi Mass / Competitive Start
8:00am = 10km & 10km Ruck Mass / Competitive Start
8:15am = 5km Mass / Competitive Start
8:30am = Start Line Closes
10:00am = Youth 1 Mile Mass Start
Final Lap Cutoff: 12:00pm (must be on your last lap)
Final Cutoff: 5:00pm (course closed)
Aid Station Cutoffs: See Aid Station Chart below
Teardown: Saturday all day and evening (yes, we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 50k, 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi, 10k, 5k, 26 mi Ruck, 10k Ruck
ROUTE DETAILS:
The Lake Somerville State Park trail system hugs the shoreline of Lake Somerville for much of it’s mileage. Many miles are exposed to the sky right next to the water, and many miles are in canopied fully shaded tunnels of forest. The terrain gently rolls up and down and is mostly flat. There’s some hard packed rooted sections and a fair bit of sand/loose soil here and there.
If it rains, there’s a decent chance you’ll get to run through some water! If it’s sunny, you’ll be looking forward to the finish line on the lake’s beach!
This race features a “lollipop” style loop.
5K course starts out going east, and is the only distance that goes that way.
10K course starts out heading west, does a loop, then returns the same way it went out.
13.1 mile course starts out heading west also, does mostly what the 10K does. But has an out and back added onto the far end of it. You’ll run a little extra past the Wolf Pond Aid Station to a turn around spot, that will be marked and have a camera on it.
26.2 mile course does the 13.1 mile route twice. Turning around at the Finish Line before heading back out for the second identical lap.
50K course does the same thing as the 26.2 mile route, but goes an extra mile and change beyond Wolfpond Aid Station, further past the half and full marathon turn around spot, and then back.
See the maps below:
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
For those doing the half or full marathon, you’ll need to be able to carry water with you for up to ~4 miles at a time. For those in the 5km or 10km, you’ll need to carry enough water for roughly 5km at a time.
We will be providing aid station support on course this year. We also have the course bumping out to the edge of the paved roads in several locations. These locations are noted on the course map and will also be marked with signs, cones, and other types of markings. You can easily drop your own drop bags, mini ice chests, and other supplies at any of these locations. The only one you cannot get to on your own is Wolf Pond, so no drop bags there.
You will need to follow the map and look for the labeled aid station areas. We will mark each one from the main park road with a sign, several types of markings, and several cones.
You may drop off your own ice chests, fluids, and any other food or supply drop bags you’d like at each Aid Station before you start, other than Wolf Pond. See Drop Bag details below.
We will have water, ice, Vfuel gels, Tailwind, Coke, Ginger Ale, sweet and salty food, fruits, and other options at multiple Aid Station locations.
At the Start/Finish Aid Station, we will have all of that, plus some fresh fruit and sodas.
Drop bags
You may drop off your own ice chests, extra water, and any other food or supplies you’d like before you start. Or you can have a crew member do it for you.
You may drop your stuff off at any aid station other than Wolf Pond.
Also keep in mind, this is a public use park and we will not be monitoring your drop bags. They will also be exposed to the elements and wildlife. Tejas Trails is not responsible for your belongings.
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.
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
Pacers are not allowed for this event.
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 Lake Somerville State Park, Birch Creek Unit.
Upon arrival, after you pass through the check-in gate, take your first left. Follow that road for a little bit until you see signs for the Boat Ramp / Day Use Area on your right. The race hub is a little around the bend further past the Boat Ramp. You may park along the edge of the road for this event (on Saturday only).
If there is nowhere to park in that area, the park has created an overflow parking lot up the road and around to the right of the Race Hub. This is a good distance from the Race Hub though, so you’ll want to drop your gear at the finish line and then go park.
Once parked, you will be looking for the Pavilion #2 / permanent restroom facility at the edge of the lake near the Cedar Elm Camping Area. Signs will lead you there from the main park road.
Camping & Lodging
Lake Somerville State Park is open for camping and RV’ing.
There may be other camping options nearby if the park gets filled up.
Brenham has some basic hotel accommodations. Otherwise, Bryan and College Station have all the options you’d need roughly half an hour away.
