From Brazos Bend to Rise Racing: Rob Goyen’s road back to race directing

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Rise Racing hosts an ultra at Franklin Mountains Trail Run.

By Henry Howard

Rob Goyen, owner and race director of Rise Racing Co., is no stranger to trail and ultra racing in Texas.

Before launching Rise Racing in December 2025, Goyen owned and operated Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT) from 2014 to 2022 before taking a three-year hiatus from race directing. His time leading TROT included when their most popular race — Brazos Bend — became a Western States qualifier in 2020.

Goyen, who has been involved in the sport of trail running since 2011, has race directed more than 100 events in Texas including sky running races, 200-milers, multi-day events and multiple national championships. He created iconic races like Brazos Bend, Habanero Hundred, Franklin Mountains Trail Run and many others.

“At the end of the day trail running saved my life and putting on events is my way to serve people,” he says. “I love doing it and I love sharing the stories along the way.”

Rise Racing hosts premier Texas trail races, ultra marathons and endurance events. They are dedicated to scenic courses, epic challenges and fostering a strong running community.

For his contributions to the trail and ultra running community in Texas, Goyen is my featured race director for November, the 35^th in this series. In January 2024, I kicked off this monthly feature to pay tribute to the trail and ultra race directors who make the sport great.

To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here or fill out this form.

Rob Goyen, from Brazos Bend to Rise Racing race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: At the time, I was president of the HATRs (Houston Area Trail Runners) and I was putting on free looped races for us to practice on. I ended up pitching Brazos Bend State Park for a real race.

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

Answer: I ended up putting on one race in April 2014 with my wife. The next day we said it felt like our wedding day again. So that feeling of working really hard and seeing everyone love it still exists for me.

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

Answer: I think that it cemented for me personally that I need to serve other people. I think I find my best version of myself when I am selfless in a way and helping others.

Rise Racing Co. hosts trail races, ultra marathons and endurance events across Texas.

Question: What’s your best piece of advice for someone who wants to direct races?

Answer: Put on races that you are passionate about, treat it like a business and don’t do it unless you love it.

Question: What’s your favorite race to direct?

Answer: I would say that my favorite race was probably Franklin Mountains Trail Run. Took a few years for us to get the race going and then it used to be around my birthday. Plus I’m a Texan so to bring a world class mountain race to people was a lot of fun.

Question: What’s your favorite race to run?

Answer: I think Broken Arrow is probably my favorite race to run. A good friend of mine is the race director. It’s just a beautiful mountain and a great vibe.

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

Answer: On multiple occasions we have had raccoons in the back of our trucks, catching them lifting totes open or running around with bread on their heads because they get in the bread bags. So I have just learned that if they can smell it, or get near it, they will get in it.