Event Description
This is the December edition of our popular Brazos Bend races with the marquee event being the 100-mile.
The Brazos Bend course is the fastest trail in Texas trail running. The course is 99.9% flat, and the only hill is 10 feet. Other than that you will be running on flat surfaces that move from hard crushed rock, soft hiking trails under tree canopy, and smooth horse trails. Conditions in December can have a mix of anything but are typically great conditions for running. Brazos Bend is a spectacular State Park located just South of Houston/Sugar Land and is most known for its abundance of birds and American Alligators among other wildlife. The gators are a part of our race, there has never been an incident in the park. Enjoy them on your run, from a distance, and you may get some unique race photos!
Western State Qualifier
The Brazos Bend 100 miler distance has been an official Western States Endurance Run qualifying race for over five years. Since BB100 is held in early December, around the same time as the WSER lottery, our sub-30 hour finish will earn you a lottery ticket to the following year's lottery for the next years WSER.
Example: If you qualify in 2024 you will earn a 2025 raffle ticket for the 2026 WSER lottery. Must finish under 30 hours to qualify. Official letter from WSER for 2023 (stay tuned for 2024 update later in the year):
"We [WSER] are pleased to inform you that the 2023 Brazos Bend 100 has been selected as a qualifying race for the 2025 Western States 100. Runners who complete the race within 30 hours will qualify to enter a lottery where the runners for Western States will be selected. You do not need to submit anything to us, we will obtain the results directly from your website.
The qualifying period for the 2025 Western States will be from November 6, 2023 through November 3, 2024. The lottery will be held on December 7, 2024 and the race itself will be run on June 28-29, 2025."
Registration and Waitlist
We are excited to have a new registration system on RunSignup for 2024 that offers many solutions you have been requesting. Features include: a more streamline registration experience, cancellation insurance option, referral cash and swag bonuses, volunteer management, TROT race bundle discounts, deferral & swapping options, and more. If you want run run Brazos in December you should be registered by September to secure your spot in this annual sell-out race. Registration is on RunSignup.
Brazos Bend 50 in April registration here.
2025 Schedule (tentative)
The current schedule is subject to changes.
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025:
Packet Pickup sponsored by Altra Running and Good Times Running Co.
Noon to 7 PM at Good Times Running Co,
22764 Westheimer Pkwy #650, Katy, TX 77450
Friday, December 5th, 2025
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Packet Pickup & Merch: Noon to 7 PM at Elm Lake Pavilion
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Personal Support Area Setup at Elm Lake, set up your canopies, chairs, gear, etc. and can leave it setup overnight but no camping in this area.
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
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Packet Pickup Elm Lake Pavilion (Ultra Runners Only till 7 AM): 5 AM to 8:30 AM
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100M Start: 6:30 AM
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100k Start: 7 AM
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Marathon Start: 7:30 AM
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Wildrose Women's 13.1M Start: 7:45 AM
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Half Marathon Start: 8 AM
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Free Kids Race: Noon
Sunday, December 8th, 2024
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Finish Line Closes (all events cutoff): 2:30 PM
Cutoffs
Finish Line Closes (all races end): Sunday 2:30 PM
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32H 100MI
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31.5H 100k
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31H Marathon
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30.5H Half Marathon
Race Director will assess each runners progress and has the ultimate decision, along with the Medical Director and Park Staff, throughout the event for runners to continue additional loops or not for their own safety, venue permit timing, and courtesy to our staff and volunteers.
Note that runners must be under 30H for WSER qualification.
Wildrose Women's Sub Ultra 13.1
New for 2024, Women have the choice to their very own start for the half marathon distance and receive a finisher "mala" jewelry.
Dropdown & Registration Changes
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Login to your account at https://runsignup.com/
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Click your profile photo icon in the top right corner and select “profile” from the menu options.
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Under “Upcoming Events” find "Brazos Bend 100", and select “Manage Registration”
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In the top menu bars, select from the range of registration management options.
Aid Station and Support
WE RELY ON VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE REGISTER HERE.
Brazos Bend 100 will have a total of four fully stocked aid stations on the course.
ALL runners must carry a form of hydration device (bottle, flask, bladder, etc.) there will be NO cups at the aid stations.
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40 Acre Lake Aid Station (no drop bags)
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Hale Lake Aid Station Outbound (no drop bags)
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Sawmill Aid Station
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Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station
Aid station distance chart below in map section
Runners, family, friends, and crew are encouraged to set up their own hang-out support area around the large grass area at the Elm Lake start/finish area for extended rest periods, personal gear, and preferences for food and hydration. It is common for clubs, teams, and families to have a tent set up to enjoy the day. There is no camping at Elm Lake Pavilion.
Food trucks and vendors at the start/finish.
Drop Bags for Sawmill can be dropped at Elm Lake pavilion during packet pickup and will return around 3 PM on Sunday. Personal items for between laps at the Elm start/finish should be left at your own personal area in front of Elm Lake Pavilion for access between loops.
Aid Station Items (subject to change/while quantities last for non-critical items):
Fluids: Water, Ice, Gatorade (NO CUPS)
Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange.
Electrolytes: Pickle Juice, Salt, and other high sodium drinks and snacks
Sweet: Cookies, Candy, Peanut Butter, Nutella, etc.
Salty: Pringles, Trail Mix, Chips, etc.
Food: Sandwiches (PB&J, Nutella, PB, etc), Bean burrito rolls, fruit (bananas and oranges) additional snacks.
Medical: Bandages, Vaseline, Band Aids (limited), etc. ( NO NSAIDS e.g. ibuprofen) , Feminine Care Products, Wildsense: Chaffing Balm and Bug Spray.
Cooking (evening only): Grilled Cheese, Quesadillas, Soup, Noodles, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Ramen, Potatoes, and other "fun ultra concoctions".
Other: Cooling bucket, Gatoritas (hot weather), and other surprises!
We will have everything you need at our aid stations and usually throw in something extra at each event to make it fun. It's not uncommon to see cakes, pies, watermelons, etc… You never know what the surprise will be!
Aid stations are for registered runners and pacers only, during the event (not before). Serving is by our volunteers and staff only. Crew members are not to use aid station supplies. Runners and crew are encouraged to have their own supply, especially for particular items, such as preferred gel, or certain diet requirements. You must bring your own cup/hydration device.
Drop Bags
Drop Bags for Sawmill can be dropped at Elm Lake during packet pickup and will return around 3 PM on Sunday. Keep the bags small, your main gear, including shoe changes, can be left at Elm Lake to be accessed between loops.
Pacers & Crew
Pacer registration is open on RunSignup.
100 Mile runners may have a pacer on the final three (3) loops, after halfway.
100 Kilometer runners may have a pacer for the final loop only.
We will have over 300 ultra runners and tons of support, you will not be alone!
NO pacers in the marathon, or half marathon events.
You may only have 1-person pacing you at a time. Pacers can only start/finish at the Main Start/Finish (Elm Lake) after check-in and must be on foot.
Pacers will register the same way participants register, pacer bibs available at check-in or the start/finish timing tent.
Crew and spectators are allowed at any aid station in limited amounts. All of them you will need to shuttle, walk, or bike to access (there is not stopping a vehicle at an aid station). Crew can not use aid station supplies. Pacers have full access to the aid stations (same as registered runners).
Crew, pacer, and support numbers will be limited by vehicle, support for individuals should carpool in a single vehicle. Excessive amounts of vehicles per runner will not be permitted to enter the park (there will be no parking available). All individuals associated with the race, including crew, support, pacers are permitted to ride the parking shuttles in the park for access to Elm Lake pavilion.
Pacer registration includes: Park Access/Pass, Trail Access, Parking, Shuttle, Expo Access, Pacer Bib, Aid Station Access/Support.
Passes, Parking, and Camping
Driving and parking on paved surfaces only, areas will be designated and guided by park staff. Park police will strictly monitor for speed and cars stopped on roadways. Shuttles will run between parking lots and the Elm Lake Start/Finish.
Park passes required for all individuals 13 years and older. Annual Park Passes are not accepted during special events for event attendees. Park passes are included in runner and pacer registration fees, additional passes available on the TROT store here.
State Park camping must be reserved via the online reservation system. No car camping or overnighting at Elm Lake.
Brazos Bend Powersports & RV (map): Additional primitive camping, no-hookup RV spots, and overflow parking available across the street from the park at the Brazos Bend RV Park, reservation not required (do not contact BBRV). We will have porta-cans at BBRV and a shuttle pickup here. If the park is full you should park at BBRV and wait for the shuttle.
SHIRT, 100K LONG SLEEVE, & 100M HOODIES
The ugly Christmas sweater designs are back: Hoodies for 100M, long sleeve for 100K, and T-Shirts for all other events. Extra shirts and other swag will be available at the merchandise table. Thanks to our sponsor Altra and apparel supporter Recover Brands. Stay tuned for the 2025 design and other swag options.
MEDALS & BUCKLES
Buckles for 100M and 100k.
All finishers receive an event-specific finishers award: 100M Buckle, 100k Buckle, Marathon Medal, and Half Marathon Medal. Specific "Under xx Hours" buckles are while supplies last and are being revised for 2025, stay tuned!
Awards and Cash Prizes (NEW 2024)
The 2024 cash prize purse for the 100 Mile:
First Place Male & Female: $1000
Second Place Male & Female: $500
Third Place Male & Female: $250
Prizes for Top Overall and 10-year Age Category winner prizes for all events in both Male and Female categories: U20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Stay tuned for 2025!
BB50 & BB100 CHALLENGE COIN
Run both the Brazos Bend 50 (50K or 50M) and the Brazos Bend 100 (100K or 100M) in the same calendar year to earn a bonus Brazos Bend Challenge Coin:
50M + 100M = 150M Coin
50M + 100K = 150K Coin
50K + 100M = 200K Coin
50K + 100K = 150K Coin
COURSE & MAPS
Brazos Bend is a flat course on crushed gravel pathways. Most conditions will allow wearing road shoes which is very common unless it rains.
There are minor changes to the 2024 course, please study the course and know your event. Marking will be color coded and explained before the race.
AID STATION SEPARATION DISTANCES
VOLUNTEER
Earn future race credits, race swag, free park pass, food, and volunteer hours (as needed). Club/Team/Group support options are available as well for aid station takeovers (please email for aid station takeovers).
More spots will be added as we approach the event.
See more info on our volunteer page: VOLUNTEER WITH TROT
SPONSORS & VENDORS
Want to be an expo vendor or sponsor? Inquire here.
Note: We do not associate with any products or services that are not sport-safe or against World Athletics Rules & Regulations (IV Treatments etc.)