2026 Chupacabra 50

The 2026 Chupacabra 50 will take place on March 21, 2026, in Quanah, Texas, at Copper Breaks State Park's Juniper Ridge Trailhead, located at 777 State Hwy Park Rd 62, Quanah, TX 79252. The event is set against the backdrop of the scenic and rugged terrain of West Texas, with the expected weather conditions for the date being dry and cool. Participants can anticipate a challenging trail run experience that traverses single-track dirt trails, wide grasslands, rock, and sandstone, with a 50-mile course accumulating approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain. The race offers multiple distances, including a 50-mile, 53K, 20K, and a 9K run and ruck option, each with specific start times and cutoffs. The course map is available at Caltopo ↗.

What distances are available for this event?

• →50 Mile & 53K: Starts at 6:00 AM (Cutoff: 10:00 PM / 16 hours)
• →20K: Starts at 7:00 AM
• →9K Run & Ruck: Starts at 7:30 AM

What are the start times for each race distance?

• →50 Mile & 53K: 6:00 AM
• →20K: 7:00 AM
• →9K Run & Ruck: 7:30 AM

What is the cutoff time for the 50 Mile & 53K race?

• →The cutoff time is 10:00 PM, giving participants 16 hours to complete the 50-mile distance.

What is the Ruck category, and what are the requirements?

• →The Ruck category requires participants to carry a minimum weight of 25lbs.

What is the hydration policy for this event?

• →This is a "No Cup Race." No cups are served at aid stations; participants must bring their own water-carrying system.

What is included in the registration for all participants?

• →All registrants receive a soft cotton Chupacabra T-shirt.

What is included in the registration for finishers?

• →All finishers receive a Chupacabra 50 Finisher Medal.
• →50 Mile finishers receive a Texas-themed Chupacabra 50 Mile Finisher Buckle.
• →9K Ruck finishers receive a Chupacabra 9K Ruck Patch.

What awards are given for each race distance?

• →Podium awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd Male/Female) are given for all distances.
• →The "Dead Freakin' Last" (DFL) award is given for all distances.

What is the rain policy for this event?

• →If it rains on the day of the event, the race will be canceled at Copper Breaks State Park and moved to a backup course in Wichita Falls, as decided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
• →If rain occurs in the days leading up to the event but not on race day, the event proceeds as planned at Copper Breaks State Park.

What is the registration capacity for this event?

• →Registration is strictly capped due to park contracts. Once sold out, no additional entries are allowed, and there is no waitlist.