Registration FAQs
Yes, please email us at info@blazetrails.com and request the code. We thank you for your service.
- We do not provide refunds. However, we allow runners to defer their registration for 100% race credit, as long as completed one month before race day. You will have one year to use the race credit. Follow the directions provided here.
- Between 1 month and 14 days, we will provide 50% race credit. Send an email to info@blazetrails.com to request the credit.
- With less than 14 days before the race, no credit will be provided.
- If you want to use your deferment for a Blaze Trails race that is hosted on Ultrasignup, send an email to info@blazetrails.com and we will manually move the credit to the different platform.
- We provide exceptions for pregnant women and military members who will be deployed. Send an email to info@blazetrails.com to request a deferral. We will default to 18 months, but let us know if more time is needed.
Yes, we allow people to change their distance up until Tuesday before the race, if the distance has not sold out. Follow the instructions provided here.
In most cases, minors (under the age of 18) are allowed to participate in distances of half marathon or shorter, as long as the parent/guardian gives permission. We will ask parents to fill out an additional consent form at packet pick up.
- If the minor runs with you, please ensure they can handle the distance and have the necessary gear, including proper shoes and a hydration system.
- If the minor runs independently, they must also be able to follow course markings and instructions. They should follow all the rules of the trail and race course.
For distances longer than a half marathon, parents should send an email to info@blazetrails.com to gain approval prior to registering. Provide important details, including the minor child’s running history and experience, and whether the parent/guardian will be running the entire distance alongside the minor child. We reserve the right to override the parents’ decision based on our knowledge of the course, distance, and race conditions.
Yes, registration remains open online until races start, or until sold out. We cannot guarantee that you will get a race shirt in your preferred size if you register in the final week.
Logistics FAQs
Packet pick up is held at Love Civic Center, next to the Eiffel Tower with the Big Red Hat. Times, locations and other details are outlined and updated on our website.
Yes, as long as they know you are picking it up and there is no confusion.
Yes, parking is free at the Civic Center.
Car, tent, and limited RV camping will be available at the Start/Finish at the Love Civic Center.
For RV and tent camping, reserve a spot ahead of time campspot.com.
Course and Race FAQs
- All runners must run with a hydration system such as a handheld bottle, vest with bottles or bladder, or a belt pack. We recommend visiting your local running store to sort through your options. Aid stations are several miles apart, and carrying water is important to stay hydrated and reduce trash and waste at the event. Learn more about how to prepare for a cupless race. (Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!)
The Paris Texas Marathon provides runners with an extremely generous cutoff time, especially if running one of the shorter distances in the AM. All runners must finish and be off the course by 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.
100K Runners:
- 6:30 PM - must be past the turnaround aid station (mile 39.3)
- 10:30 PM - must leave for final loop (mile 52.4)
All AM runners have the same cutoff times. However, if you are running an AM and PM race, you must finish your AM race by 6 PM, before the PM races start.
PM Marathon runners:
- 9:45 PM - must start second loop
- We provide runners with a wide range of foods, drinks, and supplies to help them have the best race possible. Aid stations typically include water, endurance drink, soda, pickle juice, SaltStick, bananas, oranges, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies, chips, candies, and more. We’ll add special items depending on the weather conditions and will provide additional food for the longer distances. Non-food supplies include a basic first aid kit and period products.
- We will not provide cups at our aid stations (learn more).
- For details on where aid stations are located, check our website.
We share the trails—other runners, walkers, bikers, etc. It is essential to be aware of your surroundings and hear people coming up behind you. For this reason, we suggest you either not wear headphones or listen to music in only one ear at a low volume. We also strongly discourage music played by a speaker while on the trail. This makes is harder to hear others on the trail and disturbs the people around you.
Portable toilets will be located at the start/finish and at the Blossom Aid Station, which is located at around mile 8. Runners in the Marathon, 50K, and 100K pass this aid station twice for each loop. In addition, there are portable toilets on the NETT, provided by municipalities.
- Bibs should be worn on the front and visible to the race director and volunteers.
Although we use the terms “runner” and “race” in our language, many of our participants walk either segments or the entire race distance. Anyone is welcome to walk or hike the course. The 100K and the PM Marathon will require at least some running to complete the distances within the allowed time.
- For an official finish, all distance changes must be completed before you start your race.
- In ultra distances, we will consider an unofficial finish and award the medal for a shorter distance, if requested by the participant.
Pacers are allowed only for the 100K, and only for the last loop, after 5 p.m. This is to support runners in the longest distance and ensure their safety.
Drop bags can. be left at the start/finish area for runners in any distance. A place will be set up near the aid station for easy access.
On the course, we will deliver drop bags to the Blossom aid station. This is primarily for 100K runners, but anyone in the longer distance can choose to have a drop bag. Runners in the 100K will pass the Blossom aid station four times and runners in the 50K and AM Marathon will pass the aid station twice. Runners in other distances will not pass this aid station.
- Drop bags should be a reasonable size and weight — “shoebox size” is recommended. Drop bags should not be fragile, leak, or require special handling.
- Drop bags must be left at packet pick up on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning before 5:45 a.m. Any drop bags left after this time will not be delivered to the aid station.
- Drop bags will be returned to the start/finish when the Blossom aid station shuts down, around 9 p.m. on Saturday. If you want your bag before the aid station shuts down, you will need to drive to Blossom to pick it up.
- Drop bags will not be mailed to runners.
- We love dogs and know that many runners love to run with them. However, due to requirements outlined by our insurance company, we cannot allow dogs in the race.
- We also know that many people bring their dogs to the start/finish. If you or your guest brings a dog, they must always be on a leash and under control. If your dog is aggressive toward other dogs, animals, or people, you will be asked to leave.
Misc FAQs
Race day results will always be posted on our live results page here: https://blazetrails.com/live-results/
This link will be shared via email and on social media before the event. Friends can track your progress during the event if you run a longer distance and cross the timing mat.
All finishers receive a medal unique to their distance. Finishers in the 100K earn a belt buckle.
Top place finisher awards are typically presented to the top three male and female finishers and the top master male and female finishers in each distance. We do not offer age-group awards.
If some of the night races have limited participation, we reserve the right to deviate from our normal top finisher awards.
Yes, and volunteers earn credits toward future races. For more information: https://blazetrails.com/volunteer/