Franklin Mountains Trail Runs
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Franklin Mountains Trail Runs (January 24–25, 2026)
The Human Potential Running Series organizes the 11th annual Franklin Mountains Trail Runs at Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Unit in El Paso, TX. The event spans two race days with a listed runner capacity of 250 for Saturday and 250 for Sunday. Distances and events offered include:
- 12-Hour
- 55k
- 30k
- King/Queen of the Mountain
- Half Marathon
- 10k
- 5k
Course, rules and logistics
The races run on mountain trails from the desert floor toward the summit of North Franklin Peak (summit elevation given as 7,192 ft, about 3,000 ft above the city). Aid stations and drop bag options are provided for several distances; the event includes a race shirt, finisher's medal, and State Park entry fee. The park has primitive camping without water; the organizer does not provide lodging services.
Special rules: the King/Queen event requires runners to reach the summit and return wearing a summit bracelet, covers roughly 3-8 miles, has no aid stations, and requires participants to carry their own food and water. The 12-Hour uses a random loop selection system with colored balls and recorded laps; late finishers may lose miles for the final lap but keep previously recorded miles. Select events (10k and 30k) allow a mid-race drop to the 5k point with a finisher award and recorded time; no refunds or credits are issued for distance changes. Runners should prepare for desert mountain conditions, variable weather, and sections with scree or cliff exposure; water carrying capacity for some segments is advised. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.