Sunday · July 19, 2026 · San Antonio, TX
25K, 10K and 5K trail races through Pearsall Park, San Antonio. Steep hills. Texas heat. One toughest 5K in the city.
Our photographers are uploading course and finish-line shots throughout the day. Look yourself up by bib number in Live Photos — every image is auto-watermarked and tagged as it comes in. Refresh often, new galleries drop all afternoon.
Open Live Photos →Sunrise in San Antonio is at 6:46am. For runner safety on the technical singletrack, the Great Dragon 25K and Ultimate Dragon 10K will both start between 6:45am and 7:00am. The SA Toughest 5K start time is unchanged. Final gun times will be announced at the start line — be at the arch 15 minutes early.
Summer in San Antonio hits hard. Start hydrating now. Ice-cold water and Gatorade at every aid station — roughly one per mile on all three courses.
5K finishers take home our newly designed engraved wooden medal. 25K and 10K finishers receive our custom die-cast dragon medal. Every runner gets a cooling towel at the finish, and 25K runners also receive a hydration pack in their packet. Top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female in each race (25K, 10K, 5K) win an exclusive premium award you'll actually use every day — no age group splits.
Pick up under the E-Dragon Productions tent at Pearsall Park, 6:00am–7:30am. 5000 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242.
Start / finish is at the parking area near the Ninja Adventure Park at Pearsall Park. Plenty of parking near the finish line.
Forecast via Open-Meteo · updated periodically. Bring hydration, sun protection, and expect trail mud early in the week.
Race Director Erik walks through the 25K course layout at Pearsall Park.
Aid station plan for the Dragon Trails 25K — hydration, fuel, and spacing.
The story behind Dragon Trails and who your entry supports.
Detailed course maps and GPX files will be posted here 48 hours before race day.
Pearsall Park isn't a road course. You'll climb, you'll bomb descents, and after this week's rain you'll almost certainly hit mud. Here's how to move through it — and what to carry so it doesn't break you.
Steep Pearsall hills reward quick, choppy steps over long powerful ones. Keep your feet under your hips, hands relaxed, and hike the walls — hiking a steep grade is often faster than running it. Push off the quads with hands on knees on the worst pitches.
Fight the instinct to slam the brakes. Lean slightly forward from the ankles, let gravity do the work, and let your feet turn over fast. Eyes 10–15 feet ahead — not at your shoes — so your brain can pick the line before you get there.
Dark, glossy mud = deep. Cracked or matte mud = shallow crust. Run the edges of a puddle when you can, and if you must go through, hit it straight and fast — sideways slips are how ankles roll. After heavy rain, expect the low sections of Pearsall to hold water for hours.
In Texas summer heat, thirst is a lagging indicator. Sip at every aid station (~1 mile apart), alternate water and Gatorade, and take a gel or chews every 30–40 minutes. 25K runners: eat real food at the finish-line aid before heading out for loop 2.
Try: · ·
Enter a bib number or name to see packet-pickup info, wave start, and (on race day) live splits and finish time.
Live splits and finish times for the 25K will appear here automatically the moment IAAP posts them. Auto-checking every 60 seconds.
Enter your bib and press Find Photos. Watermarked proofs shown here — full-res prints available from the photographer.
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RD:No strollers on the 25K/10K — the singletrack is too narrow and technical. Leashed dogs are OK on the 5K only, but please start at the back.
RD:Yes — drop a labeled bag at the E-Dragon tent by 6:20am. It'll be watched until course close at 11am.
RD:Best spot is the start/finish arch — 25K runners come through between loops, and 10K/5K pass the finish once. There's also a great sightline at the aid station near Ninja Adventure Park.
RD:If you're inside 2:15 you continue. Right at it — the timer makes the call. We'd rather move you to the 10K finish than pull you off course.
Pearsall Park — parking area near the Ninja Adventure Park. 5000 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242.
Race day only, 6:00am–7:30am under the E-Dragon Productions tent at the start line. Packets include shirt, bib, timing chip and safety pins.
4hr 30min overall (about 17:22/mile). You must finish loop 1 in under 2:15 to continue — otherwise you're moved to the 10K or marked DNF.
Yes — talk to the timer on race day and they'll get you transferred.
Ice-cold water and Gatorade at every stop (~1 mile apart). The finish-line aid station has candy, potassium, carbs, cookies, potatoes and sugary drinks — especially for 25K runners heading out on loop 2.
5K finishers get our newly designed engraved wooden medal. 25K and 10K finishers get our custom die-cast dragon medal. Every runner also gets a cooling towel at the finish, a race-logo singlet, and a post-race taco breakfast. 25K runners additionally receive a hydration pack in their packet.
Yes — top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female in each race (25K, 10K, 5K) receive an exclusive premium award you'll actually use every day. Overall only — no age group awards.
E-Dragon coins to the 1st place runner in each 10-year age group — 19 & under through 70+ — for every event.