Wildflower Trail Races

General Information

Welcome to the Wildflower Trail Run — one of the most unique and community-driven trail running experiences in Texas. Set in the scenic pine forests of Bastrop State Park, this event offers a fun, flexible format with a welcoming atmosphere for runners of all levels.

The Wildflower Trail Run features a loop-based course where runners can challenge themselves across a variety of distances over the course of the day. Whether you're aiming to go long, testing your endurance, or simply enjoying a day out on the trails, Wildflower delivers a relaxed yet rewarding race experience surrounded by nature.

The course winds through the beautiful Lost Pines ecosystem, offering a mix of smooth singletrack and runnable trail with gentle rolling terrain. Expect classic Central Texas spring conditions — cool mornings with the potential for warmer temperatures as the day progresses.

What to Expect Racing with Trail Racing Over Texas

At Wildflower, you’ll get the full Trail Racing Over Texas experience — laid-back, well-organized, and built around community.

Participants can expect a flexible race format, strong on-course support, and a welcoming environment whether you’re running your first trail race or pushing your limits over multiple loops.

Unique loop-based format — run your race, your way
Distances and options for all ability levels
Fully stocked aid stations with everything you need to keep moving
Chip-timed results and well-marked course
Free professional race photos
Premium race swag with multiple options to choose from
Finisher medals with unique designs (including different options by day)
Incredible volunteer support throughout the event
Generous cutoff times to accommodate a wide range of goals
Strong community atmosphere with space to relax and hang out between loops

Weather & Safety

Inclement Weather & Emergency Plan

The current forecast for Bastrop calls for scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. TROT events are held rain or shine; however, the event may be delayed, paused, or canceled in the event of life-threatening weather conditions.

Our new start/finish venue includes the Refectory building as a primary shelter location, in addition to school buses, personal vehicles, and other nearby park facilities.

Please remember that aid station tents are not considered safe shelter during lightning or severe weather.

If lightning is detected in the area:

Seek shelter in a permanent structure or fully enclosed vehicle immediately.
If you are on course and unable to reach shelter quickly, move to lower terrain (while remaining aware of potential flooding hazards) and into denser tree cover.
Avoid open areas, ridgelines, scenic overlooks, isolated trees, and exposed terrain.

Shelter Locations

Primary shelter locations include:

The Refectory building at the start/finish area
Copperas Creek camping area shower facilities
School buses at the start/finish
Personal vehicles
Park facilities and park vehicles
Volunteer vehicles
Shuttle van and 26’ box truck

Communication During Weather Delays

Any delays, holds, or emergency updates will be communicated through:

PA announcements
Email
Text alerts
Social media
Word of mouth from staff and volunteers

Event Weather Policy

Event and park staff may delay, pause, or cancel the event if conditions create an unacceptable risk to participants, volunteers, spectators, or emergency personnel.

This includes:

Lightning and severe thunderstorms
Dangerous heat or cold
Flooding or hazardous trail conditions
Conditions that create unsafe travel to/from the event
Situations that place excessive strain on emergency services resources

Lightning Policy

TROT utilizes both:

The “Flash-to-Bang” method
WeatherBug Spark lightning detection technology

If lightning is detected within approximately 6 miles (30 seconds flash-to-bang) or within the WeatherBug Spark 10-mile strike radius:

The event will be paused immediately (race time will continue, any result adjustments due to significant delays will be adjusted on case-by-case basis)
Participants and volunteers must move to shelter
Activities will remain paused until 30 minutes have passed without additional lightning strikes
The 30-minute clock resets with every new strike

DNF / Dropout / Checkout Procedure

If you are unable to finish the event, you must check out with timing staff at the main timing tent before leaving the venue so we can verify your safety.

If you need to drop on course:

Proceed to the Harmon Rd Aid Station or Main Start/Finish. Try and remain on the designated course. Whenever possible notify event staff, volunteers, participants, crew, or general public immediately.

If you encounter a runner in distress:

Report the runner’s bib number and approximate location to race staff as soon as possible

In any life-threatening emergency, dial 9-1-1 first, then notify the Race Director or nearest event staff member as soon as possible.

Leave No Trace

If you are new to the trails, you may notice some differences coming from road races. One of the biggest is our strict Leave No Trace policy. The trails are not only our racecourse — they are shared natural spaces that we work hard to protect and preserve.

The only place for gel tops, gels, cups, wrappers, bottles, or any other trash is inside a designated trash can.
Not around a trash can.
Not around an aid station.
Not tossed near course flagging.
IN THE TRASH CAN. If you can't find a trash can, carry it until you get home.

Leave No Trace / Littering Policy

Any runner found discarding garbage anywhere other than a designated trash container will be subject to disqualification (DQ) and removal from the event and all future TROT events. This includes gel wrappers, gel tops, cups, bottles, food wrappers, or any other personal trash.

This policy also applies to personal crew and aid station areas. Competitors and crew are responsible for leaving their area clean and free of trash when departing. Do not leave us with "donations", we do not need any more tents, chairs, coolers, food, etc no matter the condition, take it home! If your canopy is damaged you must break it down and take home, these items are too bulky for our trash service and cause significant inconvenience for us.

TROT is extremely strict about our Leave No Trace standards. Respect for the trails, parks, volunteers, and fellow runners is non-negotiable.

Cupless Racing

All TROT races are cupless. Every runner must carry their own hydration container at all times. Aid stations will provide water and nutrition for refilling only. Please plan accordingly and help us reduce waste while protecting the trails we are privileged to use.

Course & Aid Stations

The Wildflower course consists of multiple loop options through Bastrop State Park. Runners will pass through the Start/Finish area each lap, making it easy to access personal gear, crew support, and aid.

We provide:

One fully stocked main aid station at Start/Finish
One additional aid station on course at Harmon Road (not reached on every loop)
Additional unmanned water points on course

Aid stations are stocked with a wide variety of hydration, nutrition, and basic medical supplies to support runners throughout the day. Runners are required to carry hydration, especially for loops that do not pass intermediate aid.

Crew access is limited to designated areas near Start/Finish, where runners may also set up personal support spaces.

Event Logistics

Packet Pickup

On race week you will recieve an email reminder with a QR code - anyone can use a copy of this code to pick up your bib and extra park pass purchases at any of our packet pickup options:

Tuesday, May 5th (NEW) at Good Times Running Co. in Katy from 5-7 PM - also join us for the weekly beer run hosting a "poker run" for Cinco de Mayo
Friday, May 8th at the Start/Finish area "Refectory" (this is the only day you can drive in to the park). Noon to 7 PM
Saturday and Sunday 6 AM to 3 PM at the Start/Finish - MUST park at Mayfest Park and take the shuttle.

Parking & Shuttle

There is no parking inside Bastrop State Park on race day. All participants and spectators must park at Mayfest Park and take the provided shuttle to the Start/Finish area. Shuttle service runs continuously throughout the event.

Park Access

All non-runners (crew, spectators, etc.) must purchase a Special Event Park Pass. This provides access to the park, including trails, restrooms, and event areas. Runner registration includes park entry.

Drop Bags & Personal Setup

Runners may leave drop bags and set up personal gear in designated areas near the Start/Finish. Please pack light, as all participants will arrive via shuttle.

Race Format & Policies

Loop-based format with flexible race options
No pacers allowed
Crew access limited to Start/Finish area (with restricted access near aid stations)
Cutoffs are enforced to ensure runner safety and respect for park operations
Runners must be self-sufficient between aid stations and carry hydration

Ruck Information

Standard weight rules: If you weigh under 150lbs, a 20lb ruck, if you weigh over 150lbs, a 30lb weight. No ruck or weight type requirement as long as the weight remains constant throughout the event. The 5M course and start time is the same for the open and ruck divisions.

The Race Director reserves the right to hold runners from starting additional loops if cutoff times cannot be met safely.

The Experience

Wildflower is about more than just racing — it’s about spending a day on the trails with a great community. With space for family and friends, a relaxed staging area, and the ability to come through Start/Finish multiple times, this event creates a festival-style trail running atmosphere.

Whether you're chasing a big mileage goal or just soaking in the trails for a few loops, Wildflower offers a unique and memorable experience in one of Texas’ most beautiful state parks.

Food Trucks

The start finish will feature a taco truck and snow cone truck (for purchase)

We will have ThatsIt dried fruit packs for all participants from our main aid station.

Additional Information

Event details will continue to be updated on the website and via email leading up to race weekend.

For more detailed information on schedule, course maps, aid stations, parking, and policies, please refer to the additional tabs on the registration site.

EXTRA GUEST PARK PASS