How to turn running passion into an ultra running race director job

By Henry Howard

Chris Barnwell, who teams with his wife, Anne, to run Blaze Trails Running turned his love of ultra running into a small business and race directing job in North Texas.

Formerly a 245-pound tech worker, Barnwell found ultra running and completed his first 100-miler at Western States. Now he wants one of his 12 races to become a Western States qualifier.

Barnwell, whose path reads like a how to become a race director manual, has taken over races like Grasslands and Rockledge Rumble while building new challenges like the Dana Peak course, all while putting the ultra running community first.

For his contributions he is my featured trail and ultra race director for October. 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.

Chris Barnwell, Blaze Trails Running race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: My love of ultra running led me to become a race director. After completing multiple mountain ultras out west, I wanted to bring that same culture and feel to the races in North Texas.

Question: What's the most interesting thing you've learned about yourself since you became an RD?

Answer: Although I got into race directing because of my passion for running, my role as an RD has expanded my skills in areas I never anticipated. When you are an RD and a small business owner, you wear a lot of different hats. No two days are alike, and it continues to challenge me in great ways.

Question: What's your best piece of advice for someone who wants to become an RD, whether that is for Texas ultra running races or elsewhere?

Answer: Being a race director is different from being a small business owner. To do the job well, you first need to be an integral part of the community. Before I got to where I am today, I was a runner, a member of multiple running clubs, a race volunteer and a volunteer RD. All of these experiences were critical to becoming the RD I am today.

Question: What's your favorite race to direct?

Answer: While there is something special about every race, the Dana Peak Trail Run is one of my favorites to direct due to its unique course. Texas is not known for steep climbs, but at Dana Peak Park, we take advantage of multiple challenging climbs on the course. Even better, we utilize many unique trails, with the 50K being a single-loop course. There are not many races in Texas that use this unique trail.

Question: What's your favorite race to run?

Answer: The Wasatch Front 100 in Utah. It was one of the first mountains I ran, pacing a friend as he completed his first 100-mile mountain finish. It is also the final 100-mile race in the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. I have started the race six times and finished it four times.

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

Answer: The Grasslands Trail Run is held the week of spring break in Texas, and a youth group often camps at the LBJ National Grasslands on the same weekend. The 50-mile race started at 6 a.m., and within the first hour, I received a confused call from the head of the youth group. Our participants were running through their camp.

When the runners made their way back to the start/finish line, I asked an experienced runner what had happened. The answer – cowbells.

That’s right. The youth group used cowbells to wake up the kids in the morning. And we all know that when runners hear cowbells, they think aid station. Our runners ignored all course markings and followed the sound of the cowbells.

That day, I was reminded that no matter how much I plan and prepare, I can’t control everything.

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

Answer: The Grasslands Trail Run in March! The start/finish area of Grasslands is a fun atmosphere, and the race is a favorite among runners in North Texas.

This race is held on equestrian trails. Elevation gain for the 100 miler is a gentle 4,000 feet and trails are non-technical. Participants in the 100-miler will have a 30-hour cutoff. We believe this is the perfect 100-miler to complete in under 30 hours, or get a new PR.

In 2025, of the 48 runners who finished the 100-mile distance, 11 earned a new PR, and it was the first 100-miler for 19 runners.

But no matter where you are in your running journey, there is a distance and a challenge for you. In addition to the 100, there is a 50-miler, marathon, half marathon and 15K.  

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

Answer: Although I have been directing the Grasslands Trail Run since 2015, I didn’t add the 100-miler until 2024. We are on track to have more than 100 starters in 2026. My goal is to grow the race organically and become a Western States qualifier.

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

Answer: https://blazetrails.com