Hippo Trail Fest
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Event overview
Hippo Trail Fest takes place on March 21, 2026 at the Hippo Social Club in Hutto, Texas (3250 Limmer Loop Unit 3). The event includes trail runs, ruck races, a youth 1-mile run for ages 12 and under, and the Hippo Haul weight-carry event. The race hub offers on-site amenities from the Hippo Social Club such as cold plunge pools, sauna, mobility resources, and food and drink options. Registration includes a $10 land use fee and a shirt cutoff date of February 24 for guaranteed shirts.
Course, race formats and logistics
Distances offered:
- 1 Mile Youth Run (12 & under)
- 5K trail run
- 10K trail run
- 13.1 miles (half marathon)
- 26.2 miles (marathon)
- 10K Ruck
- 13.1 miles Ruck
- Hippo Haul (5K weight-carry obstacle race)
The main loop is a rolling, well-marked 6.5 mile loop on soft forest trails with some open sections, small creeks, bridges over larger gaps, and a few tight turns. Aid support includes two on-course aid stations plus a full start/finish aid station; longer distances will not go more than 2.5 miles without support. All events are chip timed with ankle chips; chips must be worn on the ankle and returned if a runner leaves the course. Pacers are not allowed. Ruck rules require weigh-in before the start and at the finish, 20 lb for participants under 150 lb and 30 lb for those over 150 lb, weight carried on the back only, and no trekking poles. The Hippo Haul uses a 5 km loop with a personal concrete hippo weight (~10-15 lbs) and mandatory challenge stations spaced roughly every half mile to mile. Parking is on-site in a dirt lot and across the street at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.