The Grasslands Trail Run has always been a fast race. Over the years, many runners have earned a PR on the flat, non-technical course. This was why, after 25 years, I added the 100-mile distance. The course had potential with the right conditions and athletes.
Last year was the first year of the 100-mile, and unfortunately, heavy rain took fast times off the table. Nick Petterson was the sole sub-20-hour finisher at 19:05:09, and Lindsey Duffield was the only female finisher at 29:33:18. The stats said it all: 17 finishers and 59 DNFs.
About the Race
The race runs through the LBJ National Grasslands, a 20,000-acre area northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The course is laid out in a cloverleaf pattern using four trails, all beginning and ending at a central start/finish area. This allows runners to cover over 40 miles of varied terrain without the feel of heavy repetition. Each loop has its own character — from open fields to single-track trails winding beneath a canopy of trees. The layout creates an energized start/finish area filled with finishers from the shorter distances, volunteers, crew, pacers and family.
Runners in the 100-miler pass five full-service aid stations for a total of 21 times. The event also includes a 50-miler, marathon and half-marathon, along with a 15k on Sunday, mirroring the 100-mile runners’ final loop.
Photo: Phil Salmeron
Race Setup
The day before the race this year, the dominant force wasn’t the runners—it was the wind. Sustained winds of 20 – 40 mph and 55 mph gusts halted the setup of pop-up canopies, fencing and directional signs. Volunteers retraced my steps and ensured the course markings were still in place.
The winds slowed down around 7 p.m., and we could finally return to work. With the help of our volunteers help, we completed the start/finish area and aid stations. My wife and I finished the final details by 2:30 a.m., only to wake up at 3:45 a.m. for race day.
Race Day
The 100-mile started at 5 a.m. with 84 runners from 11 states. Nick Petterson and Michael Martinez took the early lead, finishing the first loop only one second apart. Last year, Mike had been on sub 20-hour pace before the rain caused him to DNF. A competitive chase pack followed, including Keegan Martin, Javier Gutierrez, Jalen Cole, Gustavo Rodriguez, Ryan Brown, Levi Miller and Eric Gilbertson.
By the end of the second loop, Nick and Mike were separated by less than 2 minutes. However, the gap behind the two front runners and the chase pack had expanded.
Nick shattered his course record by over 3.5 hours, finishing in 15:25:16. Michael Martinez finished in 17:19:09, earning the only other sub-20-hour buckle. Lindsey Duffield bested her previous time with a 22:48:50 finish, improving by nearly 7 hours. In total, seven runners finished sub-24. Of the 48 finishers, 19 completed their first 100-miler and 11 achieved new PRs.
Legacy of a Legend
No Grasslands race report is complete without mentioning Suzi Cope. A pioneer in ultrarunning, Suzi was the first woman to complete the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning and the Barkley Fun Run, with 34 100-milers under her belt. After moving from California to Texas, she founded the Grasslands Trail Run in 1999 to bring that same trail vibe to our state.
Suzi has been instrumental in my running trajectory, and is the reason I am a race director today. I took over the race in 2015 for the sole purpose of protecting her legacy. She encouraged me to put in my single ticket for the Western States lottery and when that ticket was miraculously drawn, she pushed me to pursue and complete the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. Following in her footsteps has given me a great sense of accomplishment and even more respect for a runner who has paved the way for many other women in this sport.
At age 77, Suzi still comes to Grasslands when she can, often hiking the half-marathon or 15k and cheering on the 100-milers in their final loop. Her presence reminds us: to push limits, create community and honor those who paved the way.
The Grasslands 100 is still young, but this year it proved its potential. We know those records will be broken again.