Hells Hills Trail Race

Hells Hills Trail Race

Hells Hills Trail Race takes place at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, Texas, near Bastrop and Austin. The event offers multiple distances on primarily single-track trails through pine trees, fields of wildflowers, bridges, and stream crossings. The terrain features many short, steep hills and rolling ups and downs with a few open stretches for longer strides.

Race distances:

• 50 miles
• 50 km
• 25 km
• 10 km
• 25 km Ruck
• 10 km Ruck
• Youth 1 mile

The 10 km and 25 km are single-lap courses. The 50 km and 50 mile use repeated laps: the 50 km is two 15.5 mile laps and the 50 mile is three 16.67 mile laps. The course is well marked with orange caution tape, yellow arrows, distance signs at split points, confidence markers, and reflectors for low-light sections. Course routes may change at short notice; the markings on race day are official.

Aid stations include two full stations plus a start/finish station and a self-support station; supplies are available approximately every 2.8 to 4.5 miles. The event is cupless, so participants must carry a cup or bottle for fluids. Leave No Trace practices are enforced and littering can result in disqualification.

The Ruck division requires mandatory weights (20 lb for under 150 lb, 30 lb for over 150 lb), weigh-ins, back-mounted load only, and no trekking poles. Chip timing is used; official rankings use gun time. Overall awards include top 3 male and female and top masters categories. Camping is available onsite at Rocky Hill Ranch. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.