Capt'n Karl's Pedernales Falls Nighttime Trail Run
THE ORIGINAL & LONGEST RUNNING NIGHT TRAIL SERIES IN THE COUNTRY
IN 2024, THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT IN THE CAPT'N KARL'S TRAIL SERIES
The Capt'n Karl's Trail Series begins on the hilly, steep & rocky trails of Pedernales Falls State Park along the Pedernales River. Located 9 miles east of historic Johnson City & only 43 miles west of beautiful Austin, Texas. Racers will be enjoying minimal fence line running & lots of challenging, technical & gorgeous single track. Runners will traverse Twin Buttes, Lone Mountain & Butler Mountain, as they wind along the Juniper & Madrone Trails towards Polly's Aid Station. The course continues along the Wheatley & Equestrian Trails back to Wolf Mountain & Start/Finish Aid Stations. Our course features incredible vistas, wooded trails & (seasonal) creek crossings…every runner is sure to find a favorite stretch of this memorable trail.
What Distances Where, & When???
Races Offered:
5k 10k 20k 30k & 60k Trail Run &
Youth Trail Run
Each of these distances will have a 15 minute window to start their race. Each participant will receive a "Gun Time" and a "Chip Time". Awards will be based off of "Gun" time, therefore, it benefits every competitor to start on time.
Live Results:
Schedule of Events:
Packet Pickup: 4:00pm - 8:30pm (Race Day Only)
At packet pickup runners that registered before shirt cutoff date will receive their shirt, bib and chip. Participants that signed up past the shirt cutoff date will receive some other swag item such as a shirt, hat, cup etc.
Race Briefing: 6:30 - 6:45 PM
The Race Briefing will include details about the course as well as insights for each race distance. This is not mandatory for our runners, however it may give a competitive edge for those who are competing for a podium spot.
Kids Mile - 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
60k & 30k - 7:30 PM - 7:45 PM
20k & 10k - 8:00 PM - 8:15 PM
5k - 8:30 PM - 8:15 PM
Location:
Pedernales Falls State Park
101–155 Park Rd 6026
Round Mountain, TX 78663
United States
Medals/Awards/Shirts
Medals:
Medals will be given to all finishers. We understand that sometimes there are circumstances that prevent someone from finishing the race. As a token for your effort we would still like to offer those who make an attempt at any distance, a medal to commemorate the miles they did complete. Hopefully it will serve as a reminder to comeback and get the job done!
Awards:
For Pedernales Falls, Awards will be given out to the top 3 overall male and female winners, as well as the top Masters Male and Female.
Shirts:
Everyone will receive an event shirt so long as you are signed up before the shirt cutoff date which is May 27th. If you do not sign up by this date you will receive some other item, whether it be a past year event shirt, or Perspective Pacing garment, either way you'll have a couple of options.
Course Map
30K & 60K (2 Loops) Map
10K & 20K (2 Loops) Map
5K Map
Kids Run Map
Aid Station
For this event the 30K & 60K will have 5 aid stations including the start finish. One of these aid stations will only have water/ice and snacks (Juniper Ridge) and another will be hit twice in one loop (Wolf Mountain).
The 10K & 20K will have 2 aid station including the start/finish aid station. Both of these aid stations will be fully serviced.
The 5K will not have any aid stations on course, it will only have access to aid at the beginning and end of the loop. Please make sure to bring enough water to get through 5 miles, not just a 5k. Summertime will wear out even the most seasoned of runner, regardless if it's day or night, so be smart and hydrate wisely!
For this event at a "fully serviced" aid station, you will be able to find the following for fuel:
Cookies, PBJ sandwiches, Oranges, Bananas, Watermelons, Pickles, Pickle Juice, , Fruit Snacks, Pringles, Coke, Mt. Dew, Ginger Ale, Tailwind & Saltstick
We have found that these items will allow runners to properly fuel themselves to get through any ultra.
Disclaimer: We are a CUPLESS EVENT! For those new to the trail running world/etiquette, we like to treat our venues with respect and do not use plastic or styrofoam to serve out water. Please bring your own cup, water bottle, hydration vest, or other form of water containment so we can help maintain the clean environment we are permitted to use for this event.
Pacing
Pacers
Pacers are allowed at this race for 60km racers only on their second lap. All pacers will need to pay a $10 Special Event fee upon arrival (cash/check only). Pacers must start and end at the Race Hub. Only one pacer with a runner at a time. No mule-ing. All pacers must complete registration.
Volunteering
Come out and volunteer with us at Capt'n Karl's Pedernales Falls! Every race that you have ever participated in has had a crew of volunteers to make it possible. Without the support of volunteers, races wouldn't exist! Take this opportunity to give back to your running community and sign up to volunteer!
P.S. If and when you do decide to volunteer, there are some pretty cool swag and discounts available for future races!
Lodging
There will be NO TENT CAMPING AT THE START/FINISH EQUESTRIAN AREA. We will be allowed to have approx 50-60 tents at the SPONSORED YOUTH CAMPING AREA (YCA) with a maximum of 150 people. The YCA is about 1.5 miles from the Start/ Finish. First come, first serve. Parking is LIMITED. Runners and volunteers are allowed to use the YCA on Saturday from 12pm noon through Sunday 12pm noon. Your $10 Special Event Fee paid upon registration will cover camping at YCA and your admission fee from Sat noon through Sunday noon. Runners and volunteers staying at the park on Sunday for the entire day will have to pay for a day pass. However, sleeping, hanging out and packing up at the YCA on Sunday is permitted, granted that you leave the park/YCA by 12pm. More information on the YCA camping rules can be found HERE.
This is a beautiful camp area & we are fortunate the park is allowing us to use it. The YCA amenities include picnic tables, one chemical toilet, numerous outdoor grills/fit pits with wood supplied, lantern posts, garbage receptacle, wooded area for shade, two outdoor showers with faucets for potable water and private access to the Pedernales River. Perspective Pacing has reserved & paid for use of this area on Saturday night for OUR RUNNERS ONLY. Parking is limited at the YCA, so arrive early. RV's, motor homes, travel trailers & campers are NOT allowed in the YCA. These types of aforementioned vehicles will need to make a reservation through TPWD for a designated RV campsite. These RV sites are at a premium over the summer & fill up months in advance.
All PARK RULES & REGULATIONS APPLY! Alcohol is prohibited & violators will be ticketed by park police. No exceptions. Please use the bathroom for all needs, do not use the woods. Nudity is also prohibited. Pick up all trash & use the large receptacle. Pit fires will be allowed, unless there is a burn ban in effect. Do not leave fires unattended. Per Smokey the Bear: "If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave". Respect 10pm quiet time hours. NO PETS. Review PARK RULES & REGULATIONS for further info.
Using this Park is a privilege, not a right! Violation of these simple rules will jeopardize future events. Don't be the person who ruins it for the entire Tejas Trails Family. We have been working with TPWD & specifically the Pedernales Falls staff for many years, they are not only our colleagues, but our friends. Tejas Trails is very proud of our relationship with staff/management & by displaying exceptional outdoor stewardship, which will ensure use of this venue for years to come. All TPWD Rules & Regulations apply, see HERE for details.
Sorry, no RV's, motor homes, travel trailers, campers, etc. at Start/Finish or Youth Camping Area. Reservations for a private RV site must be made through TPWD.