Hippo Trail Fest
Hutto, United States • 21 Mar 2026
Hippo Trail Fest : event overview
Hippo Trail Fest is set for March 21, 2026 at the Hippo Social Club, 3250 Limmer Loop Unit 3, Hutto, TX. The event includes trail runs, ruck divisions, a weight-carry race called the Hippo Haul, and a youth 1-mile race for ages 12 and under. Packet pickup is available the day before and on race morning. Registration includes a $10 land use fee and a shirt cutoff date of February 24.
Distances:
- 26.2 miles
- 13.1 miles
- 13.1 mile Ruck
- 10K
- 10K Ruck
- 5K
- Hippo Haul (5K weight carry)
- Youth 1 Mile (12 & under)
Course, support, rules and on-site activities
The main route is a rolling, well-marked 6.5 mile loop through wooded soft trails with a few short ups and downs, tight turns, small creeks and bridges. The 10K and 5K use shortcuts from the full loop. Course markings include caution tape, yellow arrows and frequent confidence markers. Aid will be available on course and at the race hub so 10K, half and full marathon participants will not go more than 2.5 miles without support; 5K runners have an aid station near halfway.
Timing uses chip timing on an ankle strap; chips are picked up on race morning and must be worn on the ankle. Pacers are not allowed. Ruck rules require a 20 lb pack if under 150 lb and 30 lb if over 150 lb, mandatory weigh-ins at packet pickup and finish, weight worn on the back, and no trekking poles. The Hippo Haul uses a ~10-15 lb concrete hippo per participant with mandatory physical stations roughly every half mile to mile. On-site amenities include cold plunge, sauna, wellness offerings, live combative sports showcases, art and music, food trucks and parking at the race site and an off-site school lot. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.