Trail Racing Over Texas Announces that Brazos Bend 100 is Now a Western States 100 Qualifier

September 1, 2020

Houston, Texas (September 1, 2020)– Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT), announces today that its most popular race, the Brazos Bend 100, is now a Western States qualifier race. The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race and attracts participants from all over the world.

“To say that it is a dream come true to have Brazos Bend become a Western States qualifier would be an understatement” said Trail Racing Over Texas Race Director Robert Goyen. “We have always looked to Western States as the standard bearer for everything that is awesome about ultramarathons and for Trail Racing Over Texas to be associated with that is just a tremendous honor.”

The Brazos Bend 100, profiled in the 2016 short film Texas Trail Blazer, is one of the fastest 100 mile trail races in the United States. The event has seen a lot of growth over the years and has been sold out the last five years. It’s inclusion as a Western States qualifier is a testament to the race’s popularity. Brazos Bend 100 is also the 2020 USATF 100 Mile Trail National Championship race.

“Western States only selects the largest and most prestigious ultras in the world as qualifying races,” says John Medinger, Director and Past President of the Western States Board of Directors and Chair of the Board’s Competition Committee. “In a few short years, Trail Racing Over Texas has grown Brazos Bend 100 from modest beginnings as a regional event into a world class ultra. We are delighted to have them as partners.”

Starting in Olympic Valley, California and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, the Western States 100 is one of the most intense endurance races in the world. Following the Western States Trail, athletes climb more than 18,000 feet and descent nearly 23,000 feet before reaching the finish line at Pacer High School. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 edition of the race was cancelled and all participants were rolled over for the 2021 race. Brazos Bend 100 will be a qualifier for the 2022 edition of Western States.

“We are so happy to have another Western States qualifier in Texas,” says Rachel Goyen, Race Director for TROT. “It will be great to get more runners from The Lone Star State into the Western States lottery and hopefully onto the starting line in Olympic Valley.”

The 2020 edition of the Brazos Bend 100 takes place on December 5-6 at Brazos Bend State Park just outside of Houston Texas. The event will be limited to only 900 participants and will sell out. TROT will employ strict COVID-19 public health guidelines to keep event participants and spectators safe during these uncertain times. Athletes are encouraged to register early to lock in their spot at the starting line.

For sponsorship inquiries or general information about Trail Racing over Texas and the Brazos Bend 100 please contact Robert Goyen at rob@trailracingovertexas.com.

ABOUT TRAIL RACING OVER TEXAS

Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT) produces the largest trail running series in Texas with over 20 races offering a variety of distances from 5k’s to ultra-marathons, kids only races and night races. TROT is a community-based company that aims to involve and benefit local communities by giving back in various ways. TROT is also devoted to bringing greater awareness to the Texas State Parks and Wildlife Department by placing races in beautiful Texas State Parks. Learn more at www.trailracingovertexas.com.