Palo Duro Trail Run

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 6:30 am
Location: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Contact: pdtrailrun@gmail.com

THE SOUTHWEST’S ULTIMATE TRAIL RUN

Join us for the 41st Annual Palo Duro Trail Run which will be held on Saturday, October 17th. The race was started by Red Spicer as a road race and has morphed into a beautiful trail run, with distances of 25K, 50K, and 50 Miles. The race takes place in mid- October when temperatures can vary from freezing at the start to over 100 degrees during the afternoon. You will run a variety of trails from rolling singletrack to sand and rock. There are short but steep and technical ascents and descents. The course is a looped course, so you will see people most of the day and return to the start/finish in order to meet your crew. The 2026 race will be considered an EAST year.

All registered participants receive a long sleeve technical shirt.

Packet Pick-Up

Thursday, October 15th
3:00-6:00 pm
Location: Get Fit 1911 S. Georgia St, Amarillo, TX 79109

Friday, October 16th
3:00-6:00 pm
Location: Sad Monkey Mercantile 9800 TX-217, Canyon, TX 79105

Race Day Saturday October 17th
6:00 am
Location: Start / Finish area in the parking lot of Mack Dick Pavillon

Pacers

Pacers are allowed for the 50-mile race on the last (3rd lap) ONLY. Pacers must accompany the runner on foot only. No bicycles, vehicles, or other wheeled conveyances are allowed.
ONLY ONE PACER IS ALLOWED ON THE LAST LAP!

Pacers must start and finish at the designated drop bag area at the start/finish area.

Pacers must remain on foot at all times. Use of non-foot transport by a pacer is a violation of race rules and is subject to disqualification.

All pacers must register through Ultrasignup and sign the waiver and pick up a pacer bib at packet pick-up.

Aid Stations / Drop Bag Area

We are proud to be known for the best aid stations in trail racing! You will have 4 fully stocked aid stations with experienced volunteers to help you fill your bladders and bottles. We have a variety of salty and sweet food options from candy and chips to boiled salted potatoes, and PB&J’s. You will have water, soda, pickle juice and Hyperlyte Liquid Performance for your hydration needs.

Tents and canopies for your crew will be allowed at the Start Finish area ONLY in a designated area.

Racers may not take support on course outside of the designated aid stations.

Cupless Race

You must carry your own hydration system. We will not have cups at the aid stations. We will refill your bladders and bottles but if you want pickle juice or coke, etc, you need a packable cup.

2026 Race Day Schedule

Saturday, October 17th
6:00 am Packet Pickup at the start/finish area in the Mack Dick parking lot under the Get Fit tent.
6:30 am 50M Start
6:30 am 50K Start
7:20 am 25K Wave Start

Cutoffs

50M – 2:30 pm. Runners will NOT be allowed to continue the race from the start/finish line after 2:30pm

50K – 1:00 pm. Runners will NOT be allowed to continue the race from the start/finish line after 1:00pm

Course closed at 7:00 pm.

Need to make Changes?

There is no charge to drop down to a shorter distance, but there’s no refund. There will be a charge to move up in distance. You may transfer your bib to another runner. No race day changes! No rollovers or refunds, for any reason, including inclement weather!

Post Race

Your registration includes a hot delicious meal post-race.

Awards

All 50K and 50M finishers receive a unique Palo Duro belt buckle.
All 25K finishers receive a unique Palo Duro hat.

Overall and age groups awards are TBD.