Hippo Trail Fest

Hippo Trail Fest

Hippo Trail Fest takes place in Hutto, Texas on March 19, 2027 at the Hippo Social Club. The event combines multiple looped trail races, ruck divisions, a youth 1-mile run, and the Hippo Haul weight-carry race, alongside a curated art and wellness market and onsite vendors.

Race distances include:

• 1 Mile youth run
• 5K
• 10K
• 10 miles
• 20 miles
• 50K
• 10K Ruck
• 10 mile Ruck
• Hippo Haul (5 km weight carry race)

The main route is a well-marked, rolling 5-mile loop used for multiple laps; shorter distances use a 5k/10k shortcut. Trails run mostly through a wooded area with soft surfaces, small creeks, some bridges, modest elevation change, and occasional tight turns. Course markings include orange caution tape, yellow arrows, and frequent confidence markers; signs at intersections indicate distance-specific turns. Markings include reflectors for low-light hours.

Ruck rules require 20 lb for participants under 150 lb and 30 lb for those over 150 lb, with mandatory weigh-ins and the weight carried on the back in an approved ruck. The Hippo Haul uses a small concrete hippo (~5-10 lbs) carried by each competitor and includes mandatory challenge stations roughly every quarter to half mile.

Support includes aid stations with drinks and snacks, chip timing with ankle chips and gun and chip times, a cupless policy, Leave No Trace requirements, restrictions on over-ear headphones, and awards for top overall and masters finishers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.