Big Bend Ultra 2027
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Terlingua, TX, TX
Registration not open yet
- Registration opened
- July 1, 2026
- Entry price
- $99–$175
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| January | 42–62°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
10K
Out-and-back · Trail · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Out-and-back format due to inability to access route by vehicle; no aid station. New alignment for 2026.
20K
Loop · Trail- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Course format assumed loop; not explicitly confirmed by official source. Desert single-track, dirt roads, and riverbeds.
35K
Loop · Trail- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
New route for 2026 (formerly 30K); more single-track and climbing than prior years. Steep climbs and descents, rocky terrain, possible river crossings.
55K
Loop · Trail- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
New route for 2026 (formerly 50K); significantly more single-track and climbing. cX rating 176.4 (Hard) per TrailChamps. Drop bags accessible at named aid stations including Right Hand Shut Up, Paso Solitario, and West Contrabando.
100K
Loop · Trail · starts 6:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 5,135 ft
- Low point
- 2,300 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Brand-new single-loop 100K added in 2026; field capped at 100 runners; strict 20-hour cutoff (finishes by 2 AM). cX rating 219.3 (Hard). Zero cell service; Amateur Radio Club provides course communications. Buckle awarded to all finishers. Drop bags at named aid stations.
Travel
- Base town
- Terlingua
- Nearest airport
- MAF · 90 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Poor
- Lodging
- Limited
- Facilities
- Limited
- Trip length
- 3 nights
- Travel complexity
- 8/10
Terlingua is one of the most remote race venues in Texas; nearest major airport (El Paso, ELP) is ~3.5 hrs away. Marfa is the closest small airport. A rental car is essential; there is no rideshare. Lodging books out months in advance.
Book lodging in Terlingua or Study Butte well in advance — supply is very limited for race weekend. Midland-Odessa (MAF, ~3 hrs) and El Paso (ELP, ~3.5 hrs) are the practical fly-in options. Plan extra nights to explore Big Bend Ranch and Big Bend National Park.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Desert trail runners seeking remote, rugged terrain
- Runners wanting a bucket-list Big Bend experience
- Texas Trail Championship points chasers
- Cold-weather desert racing fans
- seasoned trail ultrarunners
- self-sufficient adventurers
- lovers of remote desert landscapes
Avoid if
- You need cell service or reliable communication on course
- You dislike remote logistics with minimal crew access
- Cactus, rocky terrain, and loose desert footing aren't your thing
- you prefer easy logistics
- you need strong cell service
- you dislike remote environments
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the cold at the 6 AM start (35–45°F in the desert) and not layering; ignoring the zero-cell-service reality and failing to study the course map in advance.
Community reports — 2027
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