Written by USA Track & Field Championship Liaison Roy Pirrung & Richard Bolt. Tejas Trails is a member of the American Trail Running Association.
Once again, Tejas Trails are hosting the USATF 100 km Trail Championships. Over the past few years this championship was held in conjunction with the Bandera 100K in January. This year it will be part of the J&J Race and Trail Running Reunion in Camp Eagle, Rocksprings, TX, on September 27-28, 2019. In addition to the 100 km national championship, there will be 50 mile, 50 km, 25 km, 10 km and a youth trail runs available. For those familiar with Tejas Trails races, J&J was previously known as “Nueces Trail Run.”
Race director, Chris McWatters, designed this event to honor the dedication and service of longtime trail running supporters and former Tejas Trails owners, Joyce and Joe Prusaitis (J&J). Not just an inspiration for the event, Joe will be running in the race!
The venue “was built to be challenging and has become known as one of the toughest and most enjoyable trail races in Texas”, said Chris. He went on to add, “100k racers will experience scenery from the low water crossings and the Hill Country vistas, for a couple hours, before enjoying the Milky Way into the night, where little artificial light interferes and the stars truly are big and bright, in the heart of Texas.”
While runners are tearing up the trails of this ultra running challenge, friends and family can enjoy one of the largest and unique adventure camps and retreat centers in the country. Available activities include: kayaks, climbing, fishing, bike paths, play areas for the little ones or simply relaxing along the waterfront park. The J&J Race and Trail Running Reunion has something for everyone; runners and non-runners alike!
There are also several of lodging options, food available near the start/finish area and the race can be accessed in just a couple hours from San Antonio and Austin, both serving international flights.
USATF members who are U.S. citizens entering the championship will compete for $2,000 in prize money. See www.tejastrails.com for race information and www.usatf.org for membership.
In addition to 150 runners from 8 U.S. states, ranging from age 11 to 74 preregistered, many of the country’s top male and female trail runners are coming to race in Hill Country. We hope to see many of you on the starting line for this year’s event. It’s not too late to sign-up!
With this event being a USA Track & Field Championships event, athletes are subject to drug testing by a certified World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lab.
Athletes who participate in this competition may be subject to formal drug testing in accordance with USATF and IAAF rules, in accordance with USOC, USADA, or IAAF procedures. Athletes found, after a disciplinary hearing, to be positive for prohibited substances, as defined by the WADA Code and/or IAAF, or who refuse to be tested, will be disqualified from this event and may lose eligibility for future competitions. Any prize money payable to an athlete who has tested positive shall be withheld until the final disposition of all disciplinary proceedings. BEWARE: Some prescriptions, over the counter medications, and nutritional supplements may contain prohibited substances. Information regarding drugs and drug testing may be obtained by calling the USADA Reference Hotline at 1-800-233-0393, or www.usantidoping.org.
