Cactus Eagle Endurance Trail Race event

Cactus EAGLE Endurance Trail Run

The weather has decided to not play nice, so Hill Country State Natural Area has said we have to take the fun somewhere else. The good news is, Camp Eagle in Rocksprings, TX is excited to welcome us with open arms. We know this requires some more logistics and lodging changes for some. So, thanks for bearing with us. We don’t like last minute changes either. But we do have more good news. Please read below for all the important details (and yes, we realize there are a lot of words).

Those of you who’ve been around for a while remember, we did this same thing in 2021 and the race was fondly dubbed Cactus Eagle. If you did Cactus Eagle back then or J&J any year, you are in for some nice surprises as we have some incredible new trails to try out; and we are making the race happen from the other campus across the suspension bridge, which will provide a really wonderful setting, even if it’s raining. There is plenty of room inside this other pavilion for friends and family to hang out in. And we’ll be sure to setup some backyard games and chairs to enjoy out of the weather. Also, the aid stations are all really easy to access (aside from the Windmill), and the mileage is really consistent with the planned course at HCSNA. You’re in for a tough, rugged, and even more beautiful challenge

Old event info below for reference;


Cactus Rose Endurance Trail Race

First off: No whiners, wimps, or wusses! This race was designed to test runners over rugged technical terrain. The old-school self-support style of putting out your own gear remains the same.

This was meant to be a tough race ...on purpose. If there is an option up a hill, we will mark the hardest option. The views are spectacular and picturesque, and the event is always beautiful in every sense of the word.

Every distance runs clockwise for their first lap. If you are doing a single lap race you will only go clockwise. For multiple lap races, you will run the other direction every other lap. i.e. Laps 1 and 3 are clockwise, and Laps 2 and 4 are counter-clockwise.

The race features a main 25 mile loop with a shortcut for a 5 mile loop. The 5 mile race will go toward Boyles, and turn right to enter the course. Then follow the main route back to the finish line.

You can expect around 2500 feet of elevation change, up and down, per lap. The 5 miler doesn’t have much flat aside from the start.

The Hill Country State Natural Area is notorious for rocks and sotol and challenging beauty! Unlike the Bandera race out there, there is really no extensive flat section, only a few miles around the Boyles Aid Station section of the course. So, you’re mostly either climbing or descending…on rocks…lots and lots of rocks…

It’s gorgeous, but don’t watch the sunrise or sunset too long, or you’ll end up face first in a cactus.