The mastermind of unique trail races in Texas

By Henry Howard

Briston Rains started out with $200 and a dream.

He followed his passion to become race director of Texas Outlaw Running Company, which offers runners options from 5Ks to 100Ks to 24-hour races to Last Man Standing showdowns. Now, he’s looking to broaden his options — creating unique trail races in Texas — in new places where runners have wanted to race.

For his contributions to the trail and ultra running community he is my featured race director for August. 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.

Meet Briston Rains, Texas Outlaw Running Company race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: I wanted to pursue something I was passionate about — serving others and running.

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

Answer: I started with everything I had, which wasn’t much. Just $200 and a heart set on creating incredible experiences for others.

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

Answer: Over time, I’ve learned to do things above excellence, to do them the right way, and to go above and beyond for others so they can go above and beyond for themselves.

Question: What's your best piece of advice for someone who wants to become an RD?

Answer: My best piece of advice? Love others, put others before yourself, do things the right way (even if that means hiking 2 miles up a mountain at 2 a.m. in the hot Texas summer night to refill a water station), and step outside your comfort zone. If you do those things, you’re going to have an incredible race.

Question: What's your favorite race to direct?

Answer: My favorite race to direct is The Backland, a small Last Man Standing event on Lake Texoma in December. It sells out 10 months in advance and keeps drawing back the same runners year after year. It’s traditional, old-school and gritty.

Question: What's your favorite race to run?

Answer: I don’t have one favorite race, but I sure do love small, low-key, backwoods events.

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

Answer: A few years ago, I was race directing the Noche Trail Runs out in the backcountry of South Llano River State Park. Right before the race, I gave the usual pre-race talk— watch your footing, stay on course and keep an eye out for wildlife. Just for fun, I threw in, “I've heard there's black bears in the area too.” What I failed to mention was that the last black bear sighting out there was over 50 years ago. Fast forward to the middle of the night, this runner comes flying into the aid station, wide-eyed and out of breath, absolutely convinced she just saw a black bear on the trail. She’s in full panic mode, talking a mile a minute. Another runner casually walks up, overhears the commotion, and says, “Oh, that was just a big hog.” Lesson learned: jokes about bears hit different when you're in the dark with a headlamp and an overactive imagination.

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

Answer: Big Texas Ultra 50K is one of my top recommendations. It’s a 32-mile loop around Lake Georgetown, with two loops for the 100K. The course has it all: wide trails, single track, even a stretch through neighborhoods. Fully supported with four aid stations, the race is scenic, challenging and a true adventure.

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

Answer: We’re starting to focus more on hosting races in places people have always wanted — untouched, beautiful locations that haven’t seen events before. We've already started doing this with the recent Frio Trail Runs at Garner State Park and Beaverfoot in Broken Bow, Okla. These are locations that people have always wanted to do something at but haven't had the opportunity to do so.

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

Answer: www.texasoutlawrunning.com/races