Hippo Trail Fest
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Hippo Trail Fest : Hutto, TX, March 21, 2026
Hippo Trail Fest takes place at the Hippo Social Club in Hutto, Texas on March 21, 2026. The event includes multiple trail distances and specialty events. Distances offered include:
- 5K (trail run)
- 10K (trail run)
- 13.1 miles (half marathon)
- 26.2 miles (marathon)
- 10K Ruck (weighted pack)
- 13.1 miles Ruck (weighted pack)
- Hippo Haul (5km weight carry race)
- Youth 1 Mile (ages 12 and under)
The Hippo Social Club facility will be open to racers and spectators with amenities such as mobility and stretching resources, cold plunge pools, sauna, food and drink options, and on-site music, art, and combative sports showcases.
Course, race rules and services
The main loop is a well-marked, rolling 6.5 mile loop through wooded trails with soft surfaces, small creeks, bridges, occasional exposed sections, and some tight turns. There are shortcuts for the 10K and 5K. Course markings include caution tape, directional arrows, and confidence markers.
Support and rules: chip timing is used with ankle-mounted chips picked up at the race venue; results show gun and chip times and gun time is used for official rankings. Aid station coverage includes two on-course stations plus a full start/finish station; 10K, half marathon, and marathon runners will not go more than 2.5 miles without support. No drop bag service is provided. Pacers are not allowed. Ruck rules require mandatory weigh-in, 20 lb for participants under 150 lb and 30 lb for those over 150 lb, weight carried on the back, and no trekking poles. The Hippo Haul uses a ~10-15 lb concrete hippo per participant and includes mandatory challenge stations about every half mile to mile. Awards include Top 3 overall and Top 1 masters. Parking is available on-site and across the street at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.