Trip report to Huntsville Tx
by Joe Prusaitis


There are many trail races in this park, each owned by somebody different

  1. Rocky Raccoon 100mi/50mi: An entry form with money attached is all that is required. You can even show up and register on race day.
  2. Rocky Raccoon 50km/25km: Same as above.
  3. Hogs Hunt 50km/25km: Same as above.
  4. Sunmart 50mi/50km: Same as above, except NO race day registration.

Where the race is and how to arrange your stay...

  1. The race itself is in the Huntsville SP, which is on the south side of Huntsville. The park is about 5 miles from main part of town.
  2. Huntsville has many hotels… http://www.tejastrails.com/docs/Rocky__Acc.html
  3. Camping in the park. The park has quite a few campsites, but 2/3 of the park has been closed since Hurricane Katrina. Best to reserve early. They have options for regular campsites or screened shelters. Lat I checked. Campsites were $10 a night and shelters $15. Prairie Branch is the area closest to the race.

Driving:

  1. Houston to Huntsville is about 50 miles. Austin to Huntsville is about 150mi.
  2. From Austin to Huntsville... joe's route.
    1. 290 W from I-35
    2. 290 thru Manor, Elgin, Giddings, Carmine, Burton
    3. R on 290 in Brenham to stay on 290 (sorry, that’s the way it is)
    4. L on 577 just as you are leaving Brenham to go north and around town
    5. R on 105 on the north side of town. Gas station intersection.
    6. 105 to Navasota
    7. 105 becomes 90 as you leave Navasota
    8. 90 to Roanes Corner
    9. R on 30 at Roanes Corner
    10.  30 to Huntsville
    11.  R on I-45 in Huntsville
    12.  I-45 south to 40 (highway sign says Huntsville SP)
    13.  R on 40 (this leads directly into the park)
    14.  Past the Park gate, do not take any turns. Go strait to the Lodge.

Flying:

  1. Closest major airport is Houston Bush. The airport is on the north side of Houston.
    Take 8 W to the 45 N (75 is the same road).
    40 W to Huntsville SP, which is just on the south side of Huntsville.

What to plan for Huntsville: (before you even begin to run)

  1. There are no rocks, no big hills, but plenty of roots. You need to do lots of flat running to get used to planning your walk breaks. If you’re waiting for a hill to take a walk break, you may have to keep running the whole race
  2. RR100mi is a 5 loop 20mi loop. Dam Road is the key aid station that you hit twice on each loop. Main drop bags here. The Lodge is the only other drop bag places. Lodge is your start and finish, so you’ll hit it once per loop.
  3. RR50mi is a 3 loop 16.67mi loop. Everything else is the same.
  4. Sunmart50mi is 4 loop 12.5mi loop. Aid stations very close together.
  5. Sunmart 50km is 1 10km out n back, then 2 12.5mi loops.
  6. RR50km and HogsHunt50km are both 2 25km loops
  7. RR25km and HogsHunt25km are both 1 25km loop

The Run:

  1. This is swamp land. Very low but heavy rain drains off well. No big deal for most rain storms. If it rains a lot, this whole loop will be a muddy mess.

Links:
www.tejastrails.com/Rocky.html
Race site has everything you need for Huntsville (and Rocky Raccoon 100mi/50mi)