Mosaic Trail Race
Races: 50k, 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi, 15k, 10k, 5k, youth 1 mi, youth 2 mi
When: December 7, 2024
Where: Indian Mound Ranch
500 Becker Rd, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Closest bigger cities: Austin, Georgetown
(Please keep in mind, the ranch is not open to the public for running, aside from our official Tejas Trails race and trail work days).
All of us are like pieces of a mosaic. We're all different sizes, shapes, colors, styles, ages...But when we join together for a common goal, we create a beautiful picture together, a mosaic of fun if you will!
So, we created this trail running weekend right here in the outskirts of Austin (in the rapidly-growing Liberty Hill) to give us an excuse to play together. All ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and generations are invited to our trail run at an awesome historic Texas ranch, right next to the city, on the San Gabriel River. We are especially challenging families to make a common goal to exercise together, to finish a race together, to play in the dirt together, to try something new together, and to come together to help complete this massively fun mosaic with others in our community!
What Racers Think: “ I’ve ran several of your races this year and completed my first full marathon with you yesterday at Mosaic. I want to say THANK YOU for all the events you offer. I love the ranches you find and the generous owners who open their land to us. Thank you for usually having kids events! I think you’ve had some at every event I’ve done. My 12 year old ran your middle school 5k, my five year old ran the 1 mile on her own and my husband and 2 year old ran the kids 1 mile as well yesterday. My husband told me the story of the ranch and the symbol of the oak tree and makes yesterday’s run even more special. Thank you for offering so many wonderful opportunities for runners to come together and get outside. Y’all keep kids entertained and included and as a family of 5 I really appreciate that.”
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 provided by Tejas Trails (not mandatory)
Packet Pickup: 6:30pm-7:00pm
SATURDAY
Packet Pickup:
6:30am-8:45am (for all distances)
10:00-10:30am (for Youth Races)
Start:
7:30am = 50k Mass / Competitive Start
8:00am = 26.2 mi & 13.1 mi Mass / Competitive Start
8:10am = 10k Mass / Competitive Start
8:20am = 15k & 5k Mass / Competitive Start
8:45am = Start Line Closes
10:30am = Youth 1 Mile & 2 Mile Mass Start
Final Lap Cutoff: 3:00pm (must be on your last lap)
Final Cutoff: 4:30pm (course closed)
Teardown: Saturday all day and night (yes, we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 50K, 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi, 15K, 10K, 5K, youth 1 mi
ROUTE DETAILS:
The Youth 1 mile loop will take off the same direction as the 5km this year, and will not be doing the blue line shown on the downloadable race map. There will be a shortcut marked showing 1 mile and 2 mile youth runners to turn left and then they will jump onto the return route of the main course. We will mark this split as much as possible, but we still recommend parents or guardians running with their child. Or you can request one of us to jog it out with your little one(s).
Youth 2 milers simply do two exact same loops.
The 5km loop is mostly flat, with a lot of twists and turns and a whole lotta' fun! There are a couple ravines the course dives in and out of, and a nice long section next to a bluff with a big drop overlooking the San Gabriel River.
The 5km section going the other way has a bit of everything. There’s some open pasture running mixed in with some flowy trails. This side is mostly flat with no extended climbs or descents.
For all longer distances than 5km, you’ll do each of the two sections, going one to the other passing through the Race Hub area each time. Picture an infinity loop or figure 8.
Those doing the 1/2 marathon or full marathon will see an add-on section marked for them on one of the 5km sections. This way, you will end up at 6.55 miles per lap. Which you will do twice or four times.
Even though this ranch is mostly flat, know that this is hill country single track.
That means you'll see easy stretches of open fields and a little jeep road running; but also rocks, drops, climbs, ups, downs, cacti, creek beds, bluffs, ravines, water, and a lot of beautiful challenges along the way.
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.
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 course is laid out like an infinity symbol. You start and finish in the middle of the course. You’ll do a 5km one direction, swoop back through the start/finish line, then do a 5k the other direction.
One of those 5k loops has an add’l section that will bring that side to 3.45. So for those doing the half marathon or marathon, you’ll always do that add-on and your mileage will come to right at 13.1mi and 26.2mi.
We will provide basic aid station support this year. Also, it is very easy to put your own water and supplies where you can get to it every 5k!
Drop Bags
We do not provide drop bag service for this race. You don’t really need to put drop bags anywhere other than the Race Hub, as that keeps you 5km from your supplies at all times.
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 race chute or the two huge trees.
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 Indian Mound Ranch, in Liberty Hill, TX.
The ranch charges $10 per vehicle for their access fee for any vehicle with a spectator in it. Good for Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. You must pay cash. Racers are covered. So, if you are a registered participant and you drive without any spectators, you don’t owe anything upon entering the ranch. But if you have one or more non-racers in your vehicle, $10 will be owed total.
When you pull onto the Indian Mound Ranch property off of Hwy 29, you’ll be on a very flat easy to travel on dirt/rock road. Continue on that road until you see railroad tracks in front of you and a cool barn on your right with a huge Texas flag painted on it. Do NOT drive across those railroad tracks, but instead park on the near side on the grass.
Just make normal parking lanes and keep your vehicle parallel to the road you drove in on. Once parked, walk across the tracks (look for trains, it’s an active track).
You’ll immediately see the Race Hub on your right.
Camping & Lodging
Camping is allowed at the ranch only on nights prior to each race day though, and only on the nearside of the railroad tracks. This is the family’s private residence so please don’t go beyond the main Race Hub anytime other than when the race is happening.
Please bring $10 cash per person 11 and Older. There is a $20 max owed per vehicle. So families coming together don’t get charged an arm and a leg.
Be warned, if you do camp overnight, the railroad tracks are active. So don’t jump the first time you hear a train go by!
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.
