| Date
3/18/2017 |
Avg Temps f.
67/41 |
Gain/Loss in ft
2500/2500 |
Furthest Aid
6 miles |
Highest Elev.
1000 ft |
Time Limit
Leave last aid (45 miles) within 11.5 hrs |
| Start
6 am |
Surface
Trails with sand |
Course Records
6:59:38 (John Finn) 8:06:36 (Sabrina Little) |
Sunrise/set
7:36 am / 7:41 pm |
Longest Climb
250 ft over 2 miles |
Hashtags
#Grasslands50 #GrasslandsTrailRun |
Race Details
The Grasslands Trail Run is held in the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands, more than 20,000 acres managed by the U.S. Forest Service and situated north of Fort Worth. The trails loop among rolling hills and through a mixture of pine and oak grove forests, open fields, and livestock. There are 50 mile, marathon, and half marathon races.
Surface
Horse trails, with some rocks and roots, and areas of deep sand.
The trail is a cloverleaf configuration with the start/finish located in the center and 5 out and backs. Lots of trail crossings and out and back sections have lead to wrong turns for racers in the past, so pay attention!
- Start with an out and back of 4.8 miles on the blue loop.
- Complete a full blue loop of 13.5 miles going clockwise (opposite direction from initial out and back).
- Complete a white loop (gray on map) of 12.8, going counterclockwise.
- Complete a yellow loop of 10.4 miles going clockwise.
- Finish after completing a red loop of 8.9 miles.
Crew access
Furthest distance apart: 13.5 miles
Crew instructions/directions: Crew access available at the start/finish area, which the racers will cross 4 times (not including start and finish)
Supplies for 50-Mile and Marathon participants can be left in drop bags at the Start/Finish aid station, which you will pass through 4 times.
Pacers are only allowed with 50-Mile participants for the final loop. No exceptions.
Runner Tracking
Updates are supposed to be posted on the race facebook page, and were available here in 2016.
Elevation
Total gain/loss: 2500/2500 (somewhere between 2000 and 3000 ft based on Strava tracks)
Total climbs: rolling throughout
Longest climb: 250 ft over 2 miles (at ~mile 39-41)
Steepest climb: 250 ft over 2 miles
Elevation profile: Strava appears to be the best
Aid stations
This is a cupless race. Please bring your own hydration device to carry and consume fluids on the course.
Total aid stations: 12 (not including start and finish)
Furthest distance apart: 6 miles
Locations: Aid station list
What’s available: Water, endurance drink, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, Oreos, fig newtons, soda, and more.
Race qualifiers
none
Race reports
http://sabrinalittleruns.blogspot.com/2015/03/grasslands-50-race-report.html
http://chrisoles.blogspot.com/2014/03/2014-grasslands-50-mile-race-report.html
Strava activities and GPX files
https://www.strava.com/activities/521492760
https://www.strava.com/activities/521364327/overview
https://www.strava.com/activities/521492760
Logistics
Packet pickup
Thursday, March 16
Packet Pick up and registration
REI, Southlake, TX
4 – 7 p.m.
Friday, March 17
Packet Pick up and registration
Ramada, 1507 Hwy 287 South, Decatur, TX
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
The Ramada has invited Grasslands to hold packet pick up at their hotel for many years. They also offer a discount to all Grasslands runners.
Saturday, March 18
5:30 a.m. Packet pick up and same day registration opens
Transportation
http://www.grasslandstrailrun.com/directions/
Race start and cutoff times
5:45 a.m. 50-Mile Pre-race brief
6:00 a.m. 50-Mile race begins
6:45 a.m. Marathon Pre-race brief
7:00 a.m. Marathon begins
8:15 a.m. Half marathon Pre-race brief
8:30 a.m. Half marathon begins
50-Mile participants must begin the final loop by 4:30 PM (41.1 miles in 10 1/2 hours) and must leave the Windmill aid station, mile 44.7, by 5:30 PM.
Race Website
http://www.grasslandstrailrun.com
Registration
https://www.edsregistration.com/events/80
Location
Start and finish at the TADRA Point trailhead.
Travel
Start is about an hour from the Dallas airport.