About This Race
The Palo Duro Trail Run stands as one of Texas's most enduring ultramarathons, celebrating its 41st year in 2026. Set in Palo Duro Canyon State Park—home to the nation's second-largest canyon—this race has evolved from Red Spicer's original road event into a quintessential Southwest trail experience. The October timing presents unique challenges as temperatures can swing from near-freezing at dawn to over 100 degrees by afternoon, with the canyon floor running 10 degrees hotter than the rim. The race offers multiple distances (25K, 50K, 50 miles) on a loop course that returns runners to the start/finish area, allowing for crew support and creating a community atmosphere throughout the day. The terrain varies from smooth singletrack red dirt trails to sandy sections and technical rocky climbs, all while showcasing the stunning canyon vistas that come alive at sunrise. Course direction alternates annually—east in even years, west in odd years—with 2026 being an "east year." The race caps entries, and with its 40-year history and distinctive desert canyon setting, it has become a cornerstone event for Southwest trail runners.
The course consists of loop sections that showcase Palo Duro Canyon's diverse terrain and iconic landmarks. Runners encounter everything from fast, smooth singletrack to challenging sandy areas and technical rocky ascents and descents. Key features include the Rock Garden, Capitol Peak, and Lighthouse sections, with aid stations strategically placed at these landmarks plus Hackberry (fluids only). The red dirt trails wind through the canyon floor and up onto ridges, offering spectacular views of the layered rock formations and expansive Texas landscape. The loop design ensures runners see other participants throughout the day and return to the start/finish area multiple times for crew access.
Practical Info
October temperatures range from near-freezing at 6:30 AM start to potentially over 100°F by afternoon, with canyon floor running 10 degrees hotter than surrounding areas.
AMA - Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers camping facilities, with additional lodging available in nearby Amarillo and Canyon.
- Personal hydration container (cup-less race)
Best For
Notable Features
One of the oldest trail ultramarathons in Texas, this race showcases the dramatic landscape of America's second-largest canyon. The course alternates direction annually, and the extreme temperature variations from dawn to afternoon create a unique challenge that tests both physical preparation and heat management skills. The community atmosphere fostered by the loop course design and the race's four-decade history make it a cornerstone event in Southwest trail running.