Tejas Trails expands while offering something for everyone

By Henry Howard

As they say, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” And when it comes to trail racing, that is not an exaggeration.

I’ve had several trail and ultra races in Texas on my list of to-dos, including Bandera and Rocky Raccoon. Both of those races are among those put on by Tejas Trails, which is rapidly expanding. From their website: “Our trail racing events offer distances from 5K to 100 miles and everything in between. We have something for everyone: beginners, seasoned trail racers, runners, hikers, ruckers, short distance lovers, ultra runners, elite runners and youth.”

They are also adding trail running adventure trips and training camps to their growing lineup.

For all those attributes and more, that’s why this month I am featuring Chris McWatters, race director for Tejas Trails, as part of my special series highlighting RDs this year.

Every month during 2024, I will highlight one North American race director who specializes in trail and ultra events as a way to highlight what makes this sport great. That is the people, the community and the events themselves. Previously, I wrote about:

• January: Michele Hartwig of Ornery Mule Racing.

• February: Scott Kummer of Ten Junk Miles. 

• March: Kim Levinsky of Sassquad Trail Running.

• April: Aneta Zeppettella of Empower Ultras.

• May: Vanessa Kline of Beast Coast Productions.

• June: Jason Green of Yeti Trail Runners.

• July: Keira Henninger of Keira Henninger Races.

• August: Steve Durbin of Durbin Race Management.

• September: Francesca Conte of Bad to the Bone Races.

This feature has been so popular that I plan to continue it in 2025. So if you have nominations for other race directors to highlight, feel free to contact me with your suggestions.

Chris McWatters: Tejas Trails race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: “I was recently asked this question and in pondering the deeper ‘why,’ I realized it's because I like giving people an opportunity to get outside their comfort zones and find a new perspective (on themselves, on overcoming challenges, on health, on life in general). I especially love creating off-road adventures — aka trail runs — because I can create a safer environment than people would get heading off into the woods on their own; and therefore help people get into the outdoors who maybe wouldn't otherwise have the confidence to get out on their own.” 

Question: How did you get your start as an RD?

Answer: “Initially in the sport of track and field. I directed youth championship meets. When I moved to Texas, I got into other sports such as adventure racing, triathlons, climbing, mountain biking, ultras and on. I worked at an adventure camp, and through that job I started organizing and helping organize various types of sports.”

Question: What's the most interesting thing you've learned about yourself since you became a race director?

Answer: “Same as being an endurance athlete actually. That I'm capable of so much more than I thought possible. The best part of that lesson is that it gets re-learned time and time again!”

Question: What's your best piece of advice for someone who wants to become a race director?

Answer: “Be ready for everything you can't think of. And when that happens, remember there is a way to sort it out. The other thing is, treat people better than you deserve to be treated yourself. Most of the time, when someone isn't the most fun to interact with it's because they have something bigger going on, and you're seeing the worst of them. Keeping that in mind has both kept me out of jail and allowed me to help someone through what turns out is a tough time in their life.”

Question: What's your favorite race to direct?

Answer: “So hard to say. If I have to pick, it's the event we now call the Tejas Dirt Festival. We recently changed the name from the J&J Trail Run. It's at a phenomenal location on a spring-fed river, with amazing trails. This next year we are adding mountain biking, biathlon, and paddling races to the trail runs and rucks. It's on Labor Day weekend, and is truly a multi-day party — great for individuals and for those with families alike! It's so much fun to be out there and seeing everyone pushing themselves on technical terrain, but then not sprinting off and hanging out before and after their race! People always leave with new friends!”

Question: What's your favorite race to run?

Answer: “I sincerely can't pick just one. I really like the multi-day races I've done as I end up in places I wouldn't go as a normal tourist. Lately, it's all about scenery and adventure for me. I guess that means I'm getting older and slower… ha ha!”

Question: Tell me about a funny experience as an RD and what you learned from it.

Answer: “Oh man, there are countless. A recent one is from a race we have that hugs a lake. It's by far, the least technical and flattest race we put on. I put wording around it being non-technical and relatively flat as it stays near the edge of a lake at sea level the whole time in the course description. This lady finished up, crossed the line, and started yelling, ‘Whoever the moron who wrote the course description lied about it being flat!’ I told her I was the moron and I couldn't find a hill when we started scouting the trail system. I didn't argue though. Obviously, we all have our own perspectives. Lesson learned.” 

Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be … :

Answer: “An obvious answer would be the HOKA Bandera or Rocky Raccoon and Rocky 50, by USWE events. Those are our staple races that people come from all over the world for. It's such an honor to carry on their legacy, and you can feel the sense of honor from those who have attended those events for decades now.”

Question: What exciting project do you have in the works?

Answer: “We are actually growing like never before. I am clearly getting dumber as I get older, instead of wiser. We have a really incredibly cool friendship with the Great Springs Project. They are doing amazing work in protecting land over the aquifers between Austin and San Antonio, Texas. By doing so, they are creating a trail connection that will span 100 miles between the two cities. We are adding a trail run in each of the four counties along their project, to help them grow awareness about the project. Additionally, we are adding a couple of other fun sub-ultra trail races, perfect for those thinking about trying the trails out, but also loads of fun for seasoned trail runners as well. And our final exciting announcement is we are launching Tejas Trails Adventures. These will be trail running adventure trips and training camps. First training camp is happening this December, here in Texas. First mountain running trip will be in March 2025 in Mexico on some absolutely amazing mountain trails, and absorbing some beautiful cultural experiences along the way. We are tremendously excited about all of this!

Question: Where can runners find out more about your races?

Answer: www.tejastrails.com