About This Race
The West Texas Ultra unfolds across the rugged landscape of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, offering runners a genuine taste of the American Southwest's expansive terrain. Set in the remote reaches of the Texas Panhandle near Fritch, this race showcases the stark beauty of West Texas through its network of dirt single-track trails that wind through canyons and alongside the shores of Lake Meredith. The event provides multiple distance options ranging from a 10K to the full 50-mile challenge, accommodating runners seeking everything from an evening trail run to a serious ultra endurance test. The race follows a 30-mile trail system that begins and ends at the South Turkey Creek Trailhead, creating various loop configurations for different distances. Despite the desert setting, the course maintains its technical character through single-track terrain that demands attention and rewards with sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscape. Logistically, the West Texas Ultra operates with a minimalist approach that reflects its remote setting. The 7:00 AM start time helps runners take advantage of cooler morning temperatures, though the absence of traditional aid stations means this race attracts self-sufficient runners who appreciate the challenge of navigating longer distances with minimal external support.
The course utilizes 30 miles of single-track trails within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, following dirt paths that traverse the diverse terrain of the Texas Panhandle. Runners experience the characteristic landscape of West Texas, including views of Lake Meredith and the surrounding canyon country that defines this region.
All distance options start and finish at the South Turkey Creek Trailhead in Fritch, with the longer distances incorporating multiple loops of the trail system. The entirely path-based terrain provides consistent single-track running without road sections, maintaining the remote trail character throughout the entire distance.
Location
Notable Features
The West Texas Ultra stands out for its remote setting within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and its minimalist race philosophy, offering no traditional aid stations and requiring runners to be entirely self-sufficient. The race provides an authentic desert trail running experience in one of Texas's most distinctive landscapes, far from urban centers and closer to the raw character of the American Southwest.