Brazos Bend 50

Aid Station Summary:

The Brazos Bend 50 will have a total of three fully stocked aid stations (see below full supply list and separation distance chart) on the course, in addition to a number of unmanned water access points. Take note that the 5k and 10k do not pass a full aid station till 1/2mi left in the race, and should carry anything that they need in addition to the mandatory hydration device.

ALL runners must carry a form of hydration (bottle, flask, bladder, etc.). There will be NO cups at the aid stations to refill from the coolers.

40 Acre Lake Unmanned Water
Nature Center Aid Station (no drop bags)
Sawmill Aid Station
Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station (personal area access)

Several drinkable water spouts exist along the trail to/from the Sawmill Aid Station, and are options for runners to refill if needed.

Portable Units and/or Park Bathrooms are located at all locations listed above. Please wash/clean your hands.

Aid Station Items (subject to change/while quantities last for non-critical items):

Thank you to our new sponsor, NeverSecond - at our Brazos Bend events, you will find the C30 Drink Mix, C30 Gels, and Energy Bars at our aid stations and for sale at our merch store.

Fluids: Water and NeverSecond C30 Mix - bring your own cup/bottle!
Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange.
Electrolytes: Pickle Juice, Salt, and other high-sodium drinks and snacks, Never2 Gels
Sweet: Cookies, Candy, Peanut Butter, Nutella, etc.
Salty: Pringles, Trail Mix, Chips, etc.
Food: Sandwiches (PB&J, Nutella, PB, etc), Bean burrito rolls, fruit (bananas and oranges), and additional snacks
Other: Cooling bucket, Gatoritas (hot weather), and other surprises!

We will have everything you need at our aid stations and usually throw in something extra at each event to make it fun. It's not uncommon to see cakes, pies, watermelons, etc. You never know what the surprise will be!

Medical: Supplies are primarily for emergency and minor injuries. If you normally need body/feet taping, then you should plan on bringing it with you. Bandages, Vaseline, Band Aids and tape (limited), (no NSAIDS, e.g., ibuprofen), Feminine Care Products, Wildsense: Chaffing Balm and Bug Spray.

Aid stations are for registered runners and pacers only, during the event (not before). Serving is by our volunteers and staff only. Crew members are not to use aid station supplies or grab ice. Runners and crew are encouraged to have their own supply, especially for particular items, such as preferred gel or certain diet requirements. We do not supply ice for coolers. You must bring your own cup/hydration device.

Drop Bags

Ultra runners may use Drop Bags at the Sawmill Aid Station. Drop Bags can be dropped off at Elm Lake (next to the BBQ grill) during packet pickup, and will return with the aid station packup on Saturday evening. Keep the bags small; your main gear, including shoe changes, can be left at Elm Lake to be accessed between loops. Because of the looped course and the abundance of aid station support, and personal area at Elm Lake Pavilion, drop bags are not needed.

Aid Station Locations

50 Mile Loop:

40 Acre Lake Unmanned Water: 3.1mi
Nature Center Aid Station: 5.8mi (2.7mi)
Sawmill Aid Station: 12mi (6.2mi)
Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station (personal area access): 16.8mi (4.8mi)

25k/50k Loop:

40 Acre Lake Unmanned Water: 2mi
Nature Center Aid Station: 4.7mi (2.7mi)
Sawmill Aid Station: 11mi (6.2mi)
Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station (personal area access): 15.6mi (4.8mi)

10k Loop:

40 Acre Lake Unmanned Water: 3.1mi
Nature Center Aid Station: 5.8mi (2.7mi)
Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station (personal area access): 6.3mi

5k Loop:

Unmanned Water on Course at Turnaround: 1mi
Nature Center Aid Station: 2.6mi
Elm Lake Start/Finish Main Aid Station (personal area access): 3.1mi

50 Mile Course Notes:

Three Laps

Start at Elm Lake -> Horseshoe Loop -> 40 Acre Loop -> Pilant Slough Trail to Nature Center -> Hale Lake with Oxbow -> Sawmill Out-and-back -> Finish at Elm Lake

At ~1/2mi into the loop, make a right turn to complete the Horseshoe Lake Loop
Take the causeway from Elm Lake, pass the observation tower, around 40 Acre Lake, take a right at the observation tower, back over the causeway to Elm Lake
Turn right at the permanent outhouse, off of Elm Lake, to take the Pilant Slough Trail to the Nature Center Aid
Make sure to cross the road after the Nature Center Aid Station to head out to Sawmill.
Make sure to take a right after the Big Creek Bridge to complete the Hale Lake, including the inner oxbow island
After Hale Lake Loop is complete, cross the road to head to the Sawmill Aid Station

25k/50k Course Notes:

25k: One Lap
50k: Two Laps

Start at Elm Lake -> 40 Acre Loop -> Pilant Slough Trail to Nature Center -> Hale Lake with Oxbow -> Sawmill Out-and-back -> Finish at Elm Lake

Do not do the Horseshoe Lake Loop (1/2mi into the loop)
Take the causeway from Elm Lake, pass the observation tower, around 40 Acre Lake, take a right at the observation tower, back over the causeway to Elm Lake
Turn right at the permanent outhouse, off of Elm Lake, to take the Pilant Slough Trail to the Nature Center Aid
Make sure to cross the road after the Nature Center Aid Station to head out to Sawmill.
Make sure to take a right after the Big Creek Bridge to complete the Hale Lake, including the inner oxbow island
After Hale Lake Loop is complete, cross the road to head to the Sawmill Aid Station

This loop is the same as the 50 Mile course except for the Horseshoe Lake Loop.

10k Course Notes:

One Lap

Start at Elm Lake -> Horseshoe Loop -> 40 Acre Loop -> Pilant Slough Trail to Nature Center -> Finish at Elm Lake

At ~1/2mi into the loop, make a right turn to complete the Horseshoe Lake Loop (same as 50M Loop)
Take the causeway from Elm Lake, pass the observation tower, around 40 Acre Lake, take a right at the observation tower, back over the causeway to Elm Lake
Turn right at the permanent outhouse, off of Elm Lake, to take the Pilant Slough Trail to the Nature Center Aid
Do not cross the road at the Nature Center Aid Station; stay left to head to the finish (1/2mi)

5k Course Notes: