Hells Hills Trail Race

Hells Hills Trail Race gathers its field in Smithville, Texas, on April 3, 2027, with five trail formats spread across the morning: 50 miles at 6:30 AM, 50K (31 miles) at 7:00 AM, 25K (15.5 miles) at 7:30 AM, a 10K at 8:00 AM, and a one-mile youth run for ages 12 and under at 10:30 AM.

The layout is a single loop for the 10K and 25K, repeated twice for the longer distances — convenient for managing your own supplies and for knowing the ground before you run it again. Expect creek crossings, pines and wildflowers on a course considered demanding but open to newcomers as well as seasoned trail runners. The 50K is a logical first ultra if you already have a marathon behind you, provided you train uphill walking and practice eating on the move. The weekend has an easygoing, sociable feel to it.