About This Race
The flagship 50-mile distance represents the full Palo Duro experience, demanding both physical endurance and mental fortitude as runners navigate the canyon's varied terrain. This classic ultra distance has drawn committed trail runners for over four decades, establishing itself as a cornerstone event in the Texas trail running calendar. The course tests seasoned ultrarunners with technical sections winding through the canyon's distinctive geological features.
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.
Elevation Profile
Elevation profile estimated from terrain data. Actual course may differ.
The course gains 3,990 ft over 50 miles, with the steepest section between mile 0–mile 1.
Location
Aid Stations
5 stations along the course
Start/Finish (Mack Dick Pavilion)
water, electrolyte, coke, ginger ale, pickle juice, sweet snacks, salty snacks
Main aid station with full supplies and crew access
Rock Garden
water, electrolyte, coke, ginger ale, pickle juice, sweet snacks, salty snacks
Fully stocked aid station
Capitol Peak
water, electrolyte, coke, ginger ale, pickle juice, sweet snacks, salty snacks
Fully stocked aid station
Lighthouse
water, electrolyte, coke, ginger ale, pickle juice, sweet snacks, salty snacks
Fully stocked aid station
Hackberry
water, electrolyte
Fluids only
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.