Rocky Raccoon 100, by USWE Endurance Trail Race
Races: 100mi, 100k, Youth 1mi
When: February 1, 2025
Where: Huntsville State Park
565 Park Road 40 West, Huntsville, TX 77340
Closest bigger cities: Huntsville, Conroe, College Station, Houston
This race is on. Rain or shine or both!
Known as the perfect trail running course for veteran runners wanting a 100mile P.R., as well as the perfect race for rookie ultra runners wanting a good setup to accomplish their goal. Expect frequent and incredible (known around the world) aid station support all day and night. Generous cut-offs. A fun atmosphere for family, friends, and awaiting crew members with 5 x 20 mile beautiful loops around the lake, over wooden bridges, and through towering East Texas pines. Gently undulating trails on a bed of pine needles. Don't let the name fool you, you don't have to worry about rocks on this course, but keep your eyes on the tree roots grabbing at your feet.
USWE & Tejas Trails: We are proud to be partnered with USWE for this event! Check out their amazing packs and other gear, and enjoy an exclusive discount for being a Tejas Trails racer!
Western States 100 Qualifying Race: Runners who complete the 100 mile race within 30 hours will qualify to enter a lottery where the runners for Western States will be selected. See qualifying and lottery timeframes, along with other details on the Western States website.
See what it all looks like
Race Day Results & Timing & Scoring
Start Options
We will have a mass start per distance. 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
EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT THE RACE SITE
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (OF RACE WEEK)
Sun up to Sun Down = Course Marking and Race Hub Setup
FRIDAY (OF RACE WEEK)
Anytime = Drop your own drop bags at aid stations (not monitored until race start).
10:00am-7:00pm = Place your drop bags you want us to deliver for you. (Raven Lodge front yard, next to appropriate sign). (See Drop Bag section below for details and where we deliver them)
3:00pm-7:00pm = Packet Pickup (with a little break for the Briefing) (In Raven Lodge)
5:00pm-5:30pm = Pre Race Briefing and Q&A (not mandatory) (Back porch of Raven Lodge)
SATURDAY (RACE DAY #1)
Packet Pickup:
5:00am-7:00am = for all Races (in Raven Lodge)
12:45pm-1:00pm = Youth 1 Mile (at Finish Line Tent)
Starts:
6:00am = 100 mi Mass / Competitive Start
6:30am = 100 mi Start Line Closes
7:00am = 100km Mass / Competitive Start
7:15am = 100km Start Line Closes
1:00pm = Youth 1 Mile Mass Start
SUNDAY (FINAL RACE DAY)
8:00am = Final Lap Cutoff (must be on your last lap)
2:00pm = Final Cutoff (Course Closed)
See Aid Station chart below = Aid Station Cutoffs on a rolling schedule around the course
All Day & Night (and usually Monday morning too) = Teardown (yes, we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 100 mile, 100K
ROUTE DETAILS:
100 Miles = 5 x 20 mile full laps
100K = 1 x 2 mile short lap, followed by 3 x 20 mile full laps
Below is a link to a GPX file and elevation profile image of the current course. Please note, the course can slightly change last minute, based on unexpected trail changes or conditions outside our control. And this file and profile image may not get updated immediately.
Also note, this file shows one single full lap. It does not show the 100km first short lap.
Expect roughly 1,250 feet of elevation gain and equal loss, per full lap.
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
We will be providing full Aid Station support at all aid stations. We’ll be sure you have a plethora of hot and cold options, and we’ll do our best to take care of you with our usual Texas hospitality.
You are also more than welcome to drop your own drop bags and small ice chests before the race, if you feel more comfortable self-supporting or have a crew who can take care of your hydration and nutrition needs along the way.
The route lays out in a manner where it is easy to access all aid stations, and gives your crew easy access to you at multiple locations around the course. See Drop Bag section for more details.
Cutoffs:
Sunday Last Lap Cutoff = 8:00am
Sunday Final Cutoff (Course Closed) = 2:00pm
Drop Bags
Delivery Details:
You will need to separate drop bags for Dam Nation and Gate aid stations (1 for each). You will not be allowed to go from aid station to the other one, even though they are right next to each other. As they are two totally different parts of the race course.
Now that Dam Nation and Gate Aid Stations are next to each other, and a short stroll from the Coloneh Campground Trailhead (at the far end of the parking lot), you can easily go anytime on Friday and drop your own drop bags. Please get your Drop Bags in position on Friday, if at all possible, as it will be congested around the park Saturday morning.
If you are using our delivery services for Dam Nation and Gate Drop Bags, you must bring those to us at the Raven Lodge front yard on Friday.
They will be taken to Dam Nation and Gate on Friday night at 7pm. This is your only chance to get a bag to Dam Nation or Gate via our services.
We do not offer Drop Bag service to Nature Center. You drive right past it en route to the Race Hub. So, you may drop your supplies off there without any trouble.
Return Details:
We will bring the Dam Nation and Gate drop bags back to the Lodge Sunday by 2:00pm.
We cannot bring any drop bags back earlier. If you must have it before then, then don’t count on our services. You or your crew can go get it (ON FOOT OR BIKE ONLY) for you anytime throughout the event.
Also, please do not intentionally leave your bag or camping chair or tent. You are not doing us a favor “donating” your stinky stuff, and we have enough chairs and don’t like cheap tents.
Other Details:
Bring your Raven (Start/Finish/Next Lap) bags to the start line area anytime Thursday, Friday, or race morning.
This is all first come, first serve. But don’t worry about it. There are a ton of trees and a huge amount of space to choose from at the Race Hub. Please pick any spot you like near / along the edge of the Chute (up to a 1/4 mile from the Line). Please place your stuff a good few feet from everyone else’s. Keep in mind, we do not touch (or monitor) anything in that area though. This is a public park, so use discretion with when you put your stuff out. Tejas Trails is not responsible for your belongings.
Also note, your crew is allowed to setup anywhere around there as well. It’s a lot of fun running through the tunnel of big pine trees, tents, spectators, and crews!
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 while you are volunteering
Shirt, hat, race swag, etc.
Loads of good memories
All the gear you need to successfully accomplish your task
We can always use help, specifically for: course marking, packet pickup, aid stations, course sweeping, teardown, and more!
Please note, for this event, we are not able to offer free race credits like we do for our other events. There are simply too many people helping make this one happen. If we gave away that many entries to other races, we wouldn’t be able to keep our race entry fees as low as we do. Thank you for helping us continue to make this historic trail run happen year after year!
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.
Also, for our longer events, sometimes we offer a “Premium Garment” that you can upgrade to during the Race Registration steps.
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
100 mile and 100K: Pacers allowed after the runner completes 49 miles (so for both distances, that means you cannot pick up a pacer until Nature Center A.S. at earliest). 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 registration (see the button at the top of this page).
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, and 1st male and female per 10 year age group.
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.
Getting Here
Everything happens at the Huntsville State Park, in Huntsville, TX.
Specifically at Raven Lodge by the edge of the lake, across from the park’s main boat ramp.
When you pull into the park, you’ll check in at the Park’s HQ. Non-racers will need to have $7 per day cash ready to hand them. All race registrants must show your registration confirmation email to prove you are racing. We took all racers’ park fees during the online registration process and will pay the park your day use fees for you. You are covered for Saturday and Sunday. If you plan to stay longer than those two race days, you do need to let their office staff know and pay for those additional days onsite.
Only caveat to that is, if you are entering the park on Friday late afternoon to evening to only pick up your packet, drop off your drop bags, and maybe attend the pre-race briefing; you will be allowed to go through without paying for that day. But you need to be respectful of their extra permissions you’re receiving and leave relatively quickly.
Once through the Park HQ, continue straight ahead. You’ll soon see the lake in front of you and a large parking area on your left. Do not park on the grass anywhere or you’ll get ticketed. Only park on paved parking spaces. Raven Lodge is in front of you a little to the left next to the playground. Everything is happening around there.
Camping & Lodging
The park has allowed us total use of the park on race days! So, we are booking reservations for campsites, RV hook-up sites, and screened shelters through a new system. See the buttons below to book your campsite. If you don’t get a reservation, you cannot camp at this park. Car parking in regular parking spots is not allowed at Texas state parks. Also know that you cannot book your Friday night or Saturday night campsite through the normal TPWD reservation system. Only through the buttons below. However, if you are wanting any night other than Friday and Saturday nights, you do need to do that through their normal TPWD reservation system.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR CAMPING RESERVATIONS:
Click the “RESERVE A CAMPSITE” button below.
If everything is booked, you still have a chance. Simply click the “CAMPSITE SHARING” button, and fill out the quick form.
We will contact you asap and let you know if we are able to find a match with someone else who has enough room for you and your party at their site.
