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The 9 Best Road Races in Texas!

tx road races

If you find yourself in Texas and you’re looking to get the adrenaline pumping, something even for a good cause, its essential that you check out the state’s top-notch running races. From marathons, to 5Ks, to 10Ks, to fun runs, go out and get active while taking in the magnificent scenery of the Lone Star State. Here are the 9 best road races in Texas.


Seabrook Marathon, Seabrook, TX

This is a marathon meant for nature lovers. Though the first mile is spent getting through the city streets of Seabrook, the remainder of your journey is spent with views of wildlife and wetlands. People are also highly motivated to run this 5K marathon because of the awesome goodie bags post-race.

Marathon 2 Marathon, Marathon, TX

This marathon is in the appropriately-named Marathon, Texas! It’s a teeny tiny town of around 420 people. The course is picturesque of the Texas countryside and is elevated at 4,000 feet with some challenging inclines on Texas highway 90. Runners have the option of running the full or half marathon.

Brazos Bend 100, Needville, TX

This course is known to be one of the fastest marathons in Texas. It’s mostly flat except for one hilly part. The best part of this marathon is the views you’ll and possibly paths you’ll cross with alligators and other wildlife. 

Dallas Marathon, Dallas, TX

Runners love this marathon for its timing during the year (around Christmas) and for being able to run past beautiful homes decked with holiday lights. They also love it for the scenery, the best being White Rock Lake.

Grasslands Trail Run, Decatur, TX

For those seeking to run a full marathon filled with spectacular surroundings of wildlife, this is the one for you. It is in the LBJ National Grasslands and is said to be a slow race, but the time is all worth it with all the beautiful wildlife and flora and fauna you’ll be surrounded by.

Cross Timbers Trail Runs, Lake Texoma, TX

This course is for the more experienced marathon runner as its trails can be considered hazardous with all the rocky terrain. Runners do get to enjoy spectacular scenery of famed Lake Texoma.

El Paso Marathon, El Paso, TX

This course is in El Paso, Texas, with challenging elevated terrain. The scenery is undeniable and goes through Transmountain Road, Fort Bliss military base and ends in the entertainment district.

Austin Marathon, Austin, TX

Austin, Texas, is a great city and happens to be our capitol’s home. Runners get to run through the city with a rewarding finish on the famed Congress Avenue and rest at the foot of the Capitol property.

Surfside Beach Marathon, Surfside Beach, TX

This one is run right along the shore of Surfside Beach—sign us up for this! The reward is definitely taking in views of the ocean, however a runner’s pace is slowed down by about 30 seconds per mile from the courses’ sandy terrain.

We are breaking a sweat just talking about these road races in Texas! Phew! Which ones have you taken on for a challenge? Tell us about your experience! And to those running races this year, good luck!

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