Dinosaur Valley 100K race recap: A rockin’ good time

By Henry Howard

I didn’t waste any time getting my Western States qualifier for 2027. Even though I have 16 tickets in the Dec. 6 drawing for the 2026 Western States, my odds of getting selected are only 6.6%.

So I decided to challenge myself with a 100K just a few weeks into the 2027 qualifying calendar.

The Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run, held Nov. 22 at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas, offered a fun atmosphere, challenging course and incredible volunteers. Kudos to race director Libby Jones and the team at The Active Joe (meet Libby, who I featured in my monthly RD series.)

In addition to the 100K, Dinosaur Valley offers options for the 100-miler (also a Western States qualifier), a 50K and a 25K. The 100K, a six-loop course, offers 5700 feet of gain.

Additionally part of my reason for signing up for this race was to take another crack at the 100K distance, which has given me past issues.

In 2018, just a few days before my first 100K, the Ultra Race of Champions (UROC), I underwent emergency abdominal surgery but was able to defer my entry and finish UROC the following year. In 2022, I lined up at the Zion 100K and accepted my first DNF when a bothersome foot and calf injury took me out.

Dinosaur Valley 100K race recap

Both the 100-miler and 100K started at 7 a.m., just as the sun was beginning to rise. It was cool but not cold, though it got hot later in the day. Since I’ve recently been running mostly in 30- and 40-degree weather the spike in temperature (at or near 70) in the middle of the day was challenging on the exposed trail.

The 100K consisted of six trips around a 10.5-mile loop, which was a combination of single-track trail and rocky terrain with loose, jagged rocks that seemed to get larger as the day (and night) wore on.

The start-finish area was a vibrant mix of music, amazing volunteers and well-organized crew areas. Runners passed the other aid station twice each loop, which was just as energetic and also filled with amazing volunteers. During the heat of the day, a volunteer poured ice cold water on my head and back, a welcome relief.

My first two loops were at a solid pace, arriving at the aid station 4 hours into the race. As the temperatures rose, my pace slowed and my gut revolted. While I didn’t get sick like I did during Burning River in July, my digestive system was not happy.

That’s when it became mind over matter.

Left foot. Right foot. Repeat.

Other runners were struggling, too. Maybe it was the heat. Or the constant climbing. Or the rocks.

Ah yes, the rocks. I am pretty sure I kicked or tripped over every single one on the course. They were a mix of slickrock, and loose rocks that ranged in size from a fist to medium-sized squash. And they squashed my dreams of hitting my goal time.

As the miles wore on, the climbing took a toll on my legs. As it became harder to pick up my feet, the race turned into a version of kick the can. But there were no cans, just the rocks. As night fell, it became even more challenging. And I am pretty sure the rocks grew in size as the race wore on.

Put it all together and you have a challenging race.

But the support system was top notch. Aid station volunteers were quick to dish out cheers, cold water, and a wide range of nutritional and other items. (A Tums from the main aid station was so helpful for me.) Additionally, Payton, an online friend, invited me to his aid station area where his wife, Amanda, took care of us and another one of his friends who also was doing the 100K.

The flagging along the course was great, especially at night. The pink flags had a small reflector that illuminated in one’s headlight. There was never a time when I thought I was off course, or took a wrong turn.

I pushed through the final loops, including the last 15ish miles, which for me were in the dark. I finished in 15:10:53, 48^th overall out of 300 or so runners. 

Why the Dinosaur Valley 100K rocks

Some other odds and ends:

• There is no parking at the start-finish area. However, the shuttle service worked perfectly. Runners parked at another facility and then took a 15-minute ride to the race site. The return trip was just as smooth. I only had to wait about 5 minutes after my race to get a shuttle back with others who had finished.

• The pre-race communication was incredibly well done. Informative emails, a runner’s guide (in both English and Spanish), a Facebook Live chat with Libby, and a dedicated Facebook page where runners could ask and answer questions.

• Among the reasons I chose this race is because it supports the community. For example, after the 2023 event, they donated $4,000 to Dinosaur Valley State Park to buy a rescue skid (a sturdy medical gurney) to attach to their new EMS ATV to get people with medical emergencies off the trail quickly.

• Last but not least, the belt buckle for 100K and 100-milers is awesome. A freaking belt buckle with a dinosaur skull and the state of Texas on it.

All in all, it was an incredible experience. I highly recommend races by Libby and her The Active Joe team.