Wild Hare Trail Race
Races: 50 mi, 50k, 25k, 10k, youth 1 mi
When: November 15, 2025
Where: Bluff Creek Ranch
537 Owl Creek Road, Warda, TX 78960
Closest smaller cities: Giddings, La Grange, Bastrop, Brenham
Closest bigger cities: Austin, San Antonio, College Station, Houston
Wild Hare has turned into one of our most fun trail races of all Tejas Trails events. With the safety and beauty of a privately owned Texas ranch and adventure park, and multiple really fun loops, new runners get a feel for trail running, and experienced runners get an opportunity to try new strategies, fueling, diet, etc. as well as hammer out a fast and fun race. Always a good turnout, an entertaining course, beautiful scenery, a fun crowd camping out. This is an absolutely fantastic trail race weekend with a bunch of good memories waiting to be made.
What racers think: “Thanks again for a great race experience. The course was great. The volunteers were even greater. And thanks again for checking on me-not telling me I looked like roadkill run over by an 18 wheeler then picked apart by vultures. - Van “the dude wearing his wife’s leggings and not embarrassed to admit it” Joslin
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
EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT THE RACE SITE
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:
5:30am-8:15am (for all Distances)
10:15am-10:30am (for Youth 1 Mile Race)
Start:
6:30am = 50 mi Mass / Competitive Start
7:30am = 50k Mass / Competitive Start
7:45am = 25k Mass / Competitive Start
8:00am = 10k Mass / Competitive Start
8:15am = Start Line Closes
10:30am = Youth 1 Mile Mass Start
Final Lap Cutoff: 7:00pm (must be on your last lap)
Final Cutoff: 9:30pm (course closed)
Teardown: Saturday all afternoon and night (yes we always need help)
Course Information
RACE DISTANCES: 50 mi, 50K, 25K, 10K, Youth 1 mi
ROUTE DETAILS:
As the name implies, a FAST frolic on a course of constantly changing terrain. It's a beautiful 7.8mi loop, part of which is a mountain bike style rollercoaster of twists & turns with shallow dips and 180 degree turns, another part open field which is fast and easy, sprinkled in with a few climbs/descents over the bluff. With each distance on the same route, it all merges quickly into one big trail running party. Bathrooms and showers right at the start, the coolest Wild Hare medals, unique awards, chip timing, cool shirts, and lots of camaraderie, where everyone gets to see everyone else. Oftentimes the weather is perfect in this part of the world in mid-November, but it can also be rough. So hope for the best, prep for anything.
The 50 milers will do a modified first lap, then repeat 5 x full 7.8 mile laps after that.
The modified first lap will take runners from the start line to the “Midway Aid Station”. Once there, instead of continuing onto the next part of the course, you’ll head back and repeat the majority of the first section. This will put you back at the Midway Aid Station a 2nd time in a row. This time, you’ll continue onto the other (final) part of the course and to the finish/next lap line. This will all be marked and assisted with a course marshal, so don’t worry about it if it sounds confusing. It will make perfect sense on race day. Just keep in mind your first lap will be around 11 miles.
The 50km runners will do 4 full loops.
The 25km runners will 2 full loops.
The 10km runners will do 1 loop, short cutting off the full lap at one spot.
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 lays out very simply. You will walk right past the “Midway Aid Station” when walking from the Parking Lot to the Race Hub.
Midway Aid Station is 3.5 miles into the lap.
We will provide Aid Station support at the Start/Finish and at the “Midway A.S.” If you aren’t comfortable with that in light of Covid-19 or simply prefer to place your own supplies, you can drop your “Midway A.S.” supplies and ice chests on your way to the Race Hub. Very convenient. The Aid Station is literally inside the corral on your right side (tree line side) when approaching the Race Hub from the parking area.
For the Start/Finish/Next Lap Aid Station, the Aid Station will be next to the arch by the big barn.
Cutoff times in the charts below will be updated soon with the latest info
Drop bags
We do not provide drop bag service for this race.
The Midway Aid Station is conveniently placed in the cattle chute between the parking area and the Race Hub, on your right as you pass through the gate from the parking field when walking to the main race hub. You may place your drop bag over there anywhere along the fence edge inside or outside of the cattle chute (just keep it well off the road as large RVs pass by there.
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 yard, the race chute, or the house. Just keep it a few feet off the race course chute.
Many people have found the best option to be under the porch, but those spots go fast.
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
Allowed after 2 p.m. for 50 Mi. and 50K runners only. 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 free registration.
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 Bluff Creek Ranch in Warda, TX.
When you enter the ranch, you’ll be turning off Owl Creek Rd. You’ll stay on that main dirt road (which any low clearance vehicle will be fine on), and find a parking spot on either side of the road. Just park in straight lines with your vehicle parallel to the road. The park staff may not be parking everyone, so please park in even rows without blocking other vehicles.
Once parked, walk along the road you drove in on toward the ranch house. This year we will be a few steps further down by the large barn under a tent. The start and finish line will be at the big barn.
Camping & Lodging
There is ample amount of tent camping, some RV sites with varying amenities, and a couple BnBs onsite at Bluff Creek Ranch.
