Hippo Trail Fest

Hippo Trail Fest : Hippo Social Club, Hutto TX (March 19, 2027)

Hippo Trail Fest is a trail running and rucking event held at the Hippo Social Club in Hutto, Texas. The event uses a well-marked rolling 5-mile loop with a 5k shortcut; longer distances complete multiple laps. Trails run through woods and alongside small creeks with a few tight turns and modest elevation changes. The 50K begins with a short 1.1 mile lap then six 5-mile laps; 10 and 20 mile distances are 2 and 4 laps respectively.

Distances include:

• 50K trail run
• 20 miles trail run
• 10 miles trail run
• 10K trail run
• 5K trail run
• 1 mile youth run
• 10K ruck and 10 mile ruck
• Hippo Haul 5km weight-carry race

The Hippo Haul requires each participant to carry a concrete hippo (~5–10 lbs) and complete mandatory stations such as burpees and tire flips, with a challenge roughly every quarter to half mile. Ruck rules require a 20 lb load for participants under 150 lb and 30 lb for those over 150 lb; weight must be in a backpack on the back, non-consumable, and there is mandatory weigh-in before the start and at the finish.

Race services and rules: chip timing with ankle straps, cupless aid stations (collapsible cups available for purchase), aid stations on-lap and at the hub offering water, sports drink, sodas, and grab-and-go snacks, no pacers allowed, and strict Leave No Trace requirements. Course markings include caution tape, yellow arrows, and reflector-enabled markers. The weekend also features vendors, live music, curated art and wellness experiences, a Recharge Zone with sauna and cold plunge, family activities, and on-site parking; spectator parking carries a fee and children under 12 enter free. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.