Brazos Bend 50 is a UTMB World Series qualifier event. There are 5-course options for 900 lucky registrants: 50-mile, 50km, 25km, 10km, and 5km. The flat course through Brazos Bend State Park has a variety of terrain between hard crushed rock, soft trails under the canopy, and horse trails. Only one hill is 10 feet, so it moves fast, and the three longest races are UTMB qualifiers. The various distances have the same route through the park, but longer distances have multiple loops with a strict 15-hour cutoff time.
There are Aid Stations fully stocked with drinks and food. Water, Red Bull, Gatorade, Base Performance, and various sodas for liquids. Snacks include a variety of sweets and salty treats, as well as sandwiches and burritos to keep runners fueled. Medical supplies at aid stations are limited, but support is present when needed. Pacers are allowed for the longest races and can begin after 50% of the course has been completed. Awards are presented to the Top 5 men and women for each distance and the Top 2 masters. Medals are given to all finishers regardless of course length. Every race registrant receives a race chip and swag option between race buckle and t-shirt, an option selected with the registration process.
UTMB World Series is the ultimate global trail running series uniting the sport’s biggest stars and amateur runners through a leading international event series in the most stunning locations. The UTMB World Series gives all trail runners a chance to experience UTMB events worldwide, with 25 events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas in 2022. It is the only place runners can begin their quest to UTMB Mont-Blanc, home of the prestigious UTMB World Series Finals. The UTMB World Series integrates three levels of events:
- UTMB World Series Finals
- UTMB World Series Majors
- UTMB World Series Events
To qualify to enter the lottery for Finals or Major events, you must collect a “Running Stone” by finishing qualifier events in the 20k, 50k, 100k, or 100M categories. Only 1 Running Stone acquired in the past two years is mandatory to enter the lottery. Running Stones are cumulative, have no expiration date, and each Running Stone gives you an additional chance to be drawn. Collecting Running Stones is the only way to access regular runners’ UTMB World Series Finals. Discover the 25 events that will allow you to collect Running Stones in 2022 to enter the UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery from 2023 onwards here.
Brazos Bend 50 is produced by Trail Racing Over Texas, a producer of many of the best Trail events in Texas, including Brazos Bend 100, held each December in the same location.
