• PACKET PICK UP will be at The Runner in Arlington on Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 & 24. Packet Pick up will also be at the run on Friday. starting at 6:00 pm.

• Headlamps or flashlights are required for Hour races. Runners must come prepared with extra batteries or lights. You can leave them in a bag with your name on it at the aid station/starting line. 

• This is a chip-timed run. 

• Wear good traction shoes, makes the uphills easier and better footing if it is wet.

• Running/Trekking poles are allowed. 

• Food and Restrooms

• There is one Aid station located at the start/finish line. All races will loop back through this area at the end of every 3.2 mile loop. A mini un-manned station will be near the pond down Escarpment.

• First Aid supplies will also be at the aid stations. Emergency personnel nearby.

• Restrooms (in a building, not portables) are also at the start/finish line.

• Parking: Try to find a place in the actual Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve parking area. If none are available, you can park at the Park in the Woods Recreation Center just north of the park entrance. There is not a back trail into the park from there, you have to walk out to Mountain Creek Parkway and up to the entrance of the park. For the 1M, 5k, 10k races, the park gate will be open. For the hour races, we will close the park and you will need to be escorted to the gate to be let out. This is so that no one else will enter the park when it is closed. 

• Weather: The race is on rain or shine unless there are torrential rains with lightning at the time of the race. If there has been substantial rains prior to the race, the course might be changed. If the race is canceled, there are no refunds since this is a fundraiser.

• Walk-Up Registration: Walk-Up registration will be available starting at 6:00 pm the day of the race.

• The Course- All distances have been measured with Rolotape 400 professional measuring wheel and are at least equal to the stated distance; the exact distance is dictated by the actual trails. 

• For the race, there is one 3.2 mile loop that you run as many times as you can for the 3, 6, or 9-hour run. The 5k is once around this loop. See the map below.

• The 3.2 mile loop description- You will start at the gravel road just behind the white buildings where the restrooms are located. From there you will head down Cattail Pond Trail, turn unto the challenging Fossil Valley Trail, Take a left to go up Trout Lilly (my favorite- especially going downhill. You will be going uphill); then connecting back to Fossil Valley Trail you will take that trail down to the pond. From there you will take the detour Red Oak Trail for a short but difficult climb up to Escarpment Trail. At the top of Escarpment, you will hang a left on Mulberry, take Prairie Trail, and then back to the starting line to run it all again. 

• Trail Conditions:  The trail has a variety of turf from gravel, mulch, dirt, small wooden bridges, lots of roots, and natural steps made of rock or logs. It has some pretty challenging ups and downs with some technical spots. But, there are no places you have to climb hands and feet. We would rate the run as an intermediate/tuff trail run due to elevation gains. The 5k course is hard, but only one time around the loop. The walkers' trail is the easiest. Trails are clearly marked. If it has rained near the date of the run, there will be some sections with mud. Most of the trails are no too muddy even if it does rain. But, in a few spots, there can be sticky, slippery, and foot covering mud. So, just be prepared to go slower in those places and wear appropriate shoes you don't mind for the mud. In all, it is just part of the fun and adventure!   We would say only about 5% of the trails get super muddy if it has rained recently. The Nature Preserve has done a good job laying mulch out to cover most muddy sections--and they keep on improving the resiliency of the trails.

Course Map

• 3.19M loop course map (repeat for timed runs)

Rules

• Hour Races Finishing rules: You must start your last loop 20 minutes before the cut off time for your race and finish that loop. Runners are required to be fairly consistently on the course, though they may take some breaks as needed. Please respect the nature preserve and do not leave any trash on the trails or in the area.

• NO CAMPFIRES PERMITTED.

• NO ALCOHOL, SMOKING, or DRUGS Permitted.

• No Weapons or Firearms Permitted.

• Stay on the trails! In fact, since this is a night run, please stay on the trails marked for the run only so that you do not get lost. Even if you are familiar with the park, we are using the park in the after hours, and we want to know where everyone is basically located for safety reasons. Anyone cutting the route short is subject to DQ.

• No dogs, strollers, bikes allowed on trails.

• Trekking poles are allowed.

• This is a cupless run, so bring a sports bottle, or collapsible cup, or hydration pack and you can refill at the aid stations. There will be both water and Gatorade at the aid station. Snacks at aid the station will include goldfish, pickles, bananas, oranges, and other salty or sweet snacks along with some hot foods. Be sure to hydrate before you run and eat something light. 

• Watch out for fellow runners. Some of the trails are narrow, and some are wide. Use trail running etiquette.

• Runners should have an ID on them at all times and bring their cell phones if they have them. Wear running shoes with grip if you have them. 

• Entry fees are non-refundable, including the event of inclement weather. These trails do not close due to rain or wet trails. So the event will take place rain or moon, but not if there is an electrical storm at the time of the run.

• Entries cannot be rolled to another year.

• Entries can be transferred to another person, and you can change races. However, the difference in price if you move down a race is not refunded. You must change the race 1 hour before the race starts. 

• No one is permitted to change their race once it begins.

• Runners must stay on marked paths for the duration of the race, and cannot take shortcuts. This can result in DQ.

• Event shirts not picked up on race day will not be mailed.

• No spectators or volunteers can hike or run the trails once the park is closed to the public at about 8:00 PM. 

• Do not come if you are ill, especially with this heat!

All registration fees are tax-deductible. Equip Disciples is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the State of Texas. Please print your receipt for your tax records.