About Tejas Trails
Mission Statement:
To selflessly offer incredibly fun, family-oriented, beautifully scenic, God-honoring, and challenging endurance events that better people's lives.
Core Values:
We strive to exude these attributes so they are seen, heard and felt by all participants in our events, their crews, their family and friends, the venue hosts and the spectators.
Purpose:
Tejas Trails exists for five reasons
To create events to test the fastest and toughest trail runners in the state of Texas, the United States, and the world.
To offer a safe place for those not capable of running fast, running very long, or even running at all, to get more fit and challenge themselves to grow from where they are, to what they want to become.
To give people a reason to get out of the city and into some of the most beautiful scenery we can find in this part of the U.S.
To offer opportunities for families to grow closer together and make life-long memories.
To help foster an authentic, passionate community where people feel connected.
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Tejas Trails began in 2001 from Joe and Joyce Prusaitis’ simple love of trail running. When Joe decided to make a career change, Joyce asked, “If you could do anything, what would you do?” The answer became Tejas Trails—“Tejas” meaning “friendly.” With grit, vision, and a pioneering spirit, they helped shape the off-road running scene before it was even a thing, growing one small race at Rocky Hill Ranch into a thriving community.
Over time, Tejas Trails expanded to nearly 20 races across Texas, including multiple USA National Championship events and series recognized around the world. Runners from all 50 states and dozens of countries have come to share the trails, and sponsors have followed.
In 2015, Joe and Joyce began to step back, welcoming Chris and Krissy McWatters to carry the torch. Chris, a veteran ultrarunner and race director himself, brought new energy and the tagline “Tejas Trails—More Than Just Trail Running.”
The Tejas Trails Story
We strive to make Tejas Trails more than just trail running. It is a community of people finding connection, calm, and challenge on the trails. Our races bring together runners, families, and friends who show up not only to run but to share something meaningful.
We are grateful you are part of it, whether racing or volunteering. Every course is chosen for its beauty and uniqueness, supported by strong aid and medical teams. Our events welcome everyone, from first timers chasing a finish to elites competing at national and international levels.
Our story becomes part of yours with every race. When you are out there, come say hi. We are here for you and your family every step of the way.
Read the majority of the above story in the published Write-Up in Ultra Running Magazine.
The Tejas Trails Timeline
2001 at Rocky Hill Ranch, Tejas Trails started.
2003 Bandera was created
2004 took ownership of Rocky Raccoon
Rocky Raccoon started in 1993, so it became a Tejas Trails race in it’s 11th year2007 created Cactus Rose
2009 renamed Rocky Hill Ranch race to Hells Hills
2010 took ownership of the Camp Eagle Trail Runs, renamed it to Nueces
2010 took ownership of Warda Cardiac
2011 renamed Warda Cardiac to Wild Hare
2012 created Pandora's Box o Rox
2014 split the 50 mi out from Rocky 100, made Rocky 50 it’s own race
2015 took ownership of Paleface
2016 sold to McWatters 9 races total. Nueces changed to J&J
2016 Traverse events brought under the Tejas Trails umbrella
2017 created Tinajas and Texas Trail Running Festival
2017 created Mosaic
2018 changed Paleface to Mellow
2019 created Spider Mountain
2019 created Cypress Trail Run
2020 created Trailway
2023 created Great Springs Trail Race
2024 removed Traverse events; Tinajas and TX Trail Running Festival ended, created River’s Edge,
2025 added Great Springs Trail Race - Austin and the Hippo Trail Fest; upgraded the J&J race to a full Festival event and changed the name to the Tejas Dirt Festival
