The Cross Timbers Trail Run (50 Mile, Marathon, Half Marathon, 5 Mile) is the oldest trail race in Texas, and one of the best. This classic winter trail run is held on the shores of Lake Texoma on the Cross Timbers Trail, a 12 mile backpacking/hiking trail. The trail is tough! There are lots of ups and downs on the trail, none of them too large, but they add up. The footing can be eroded away, and there are lots of places where running isn't really an option.

The Cross Timbers races are about an hour and a half or so north of Dallas/Fort Worth, depending on where you're coming from. They're also not too far from Oklahoma City, making the race a place where Texas and Oklahoma trail runners can mingle.

Try and camp out at the campground and enjoy the pre-race dinner before the race if you get a chance - part of the fun of this race is that it's not so big that you're just a race number.

The 50-mile race is tough - there are cut-offs along the way from the first loop to miles 37 and 40. Even if these cut-offs don't look too strict to you, the weather can be erratic, the course can be muddy, and the hills can really eat you up if you don't pace yourself.