Event Overview
| Date | Nov 21-22, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose, Texas, USA |
| Format | Fixed-Distance |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Region | North America |
| Distance / duration | 100 mi |
| State / area | Texas (TX) |
| Course model | Loop |
| Edition note | The November 21–22, 2026 edition starts at 07:00 on Saturday. UltraSignup closes online entry November 18 at 23:59 Central Time. The organizer publishes intermediate cutoffs rather than one standalone finish limit; see the 2026 schedule below. |
| Elevation gain | Approximately 9,000 ft |
| Cutoff | Mandatory loop cutoffs apply; qualifying runners receive up to 3 hours for the final 2.5-mile segment |
| Start | 7:00 AM Central Time on Saturday, November 21, 2026 |
| Field size | Published 100-mile entry cap: 180; this is capacity, not a starter count. |
| Highlights | Dinosaur Valley State Park, Progressive Loop Cutoffs |
2026 Sunday checkpoints for the 100-mile race
November 22, 2026, local Central Time. Runners must leave each checkpoint by its deadline.
| Checkpoint | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Cedar Brake, mile 84 | 12:30 PM |
| Fenceline inbound, mile 92 | 3:00 PM |
| Start final 5-mile loop, mile 95 | 4:00 PM |
| Fenceline inbound, about 2.5 miles remaining | 5:00 PM |
These are intermediate limits. The race-information page allows up to three hours for the last 2.5 miles after meeting the final checkpoint cutoff.
Sources: Official 2026 schedule; Official cutoff policy.
Course & Terrain
Nine loops advertised as 10.5 miles, followed by a final 5-mile loop; the organizer lists this as the 100-mile race. A 100K finish is recorded after six loops.
Key course features to know before comparing this race:
- Dinosaur Valley State Park trail system
- Repeated access to the race-base area between loops
Rolling and sometimes rocky Texas trail produces substantial cumulative climbing despite the repeated-loop layout.
Entry & Logistics
| Registration and fees | Check the official event website for current availability, deadlines, prices, taxes, and refund terms. |
|---|---|
| Logistics note | For 2026, parking is onsite with a 0.75-mile walk to Valley Village; no shuttle is used. Follow the organizer’s back-entrance directions. Build pacing around each mandatory checkpoint deadline. |
Why This Race Matters
Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run — 100 Mile is a useful reference point for runners comparing long fixed-distance ultras where most of the field runs through the night. Its format, terrain, and support model shape the kind of preparation required: not just fitness, but pacing discipline, nutrition planning, foot care, and the ability to make good decisions under fatigue.
Preparing for a Race Like Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run — 100 Mile
The 100-mile race guide covers the format as a whole. These guides go deeper:
- Walking strategy for ultramarathons: When and how to walk by terrain, effort and cutoffs.
- Crew and aid-station strategy: Crew tables, aid stops, drop bags and runner preferences.
- Gut training for ultrarunners: A six-week practice sequence for race-day fueling.
- Tapering for ultramarathons: Plan the taper and race week around your own recovery.
Planning Notes
- Treat intermediate cutoff gates as part of the course. Build enough margin for aid stops and late-race slowdown, and verify every current gate in the official rules.
- Train for terrain-specific fatigue. Technical trails and mountain courses demand downhill durability, hiking efficiency, and reliable night lighting.
- The directory does not mark this as having simpler logistics. Confirm qualification, terrain, support, registration, medical, and withdrawal requirements before planning around it.
- Do not mistake the 35-hour Western States qualifier standard for a race cutoff
- Each mandatory loop cutoff matters independently
Event FAQs
What is the Dinosaur Valley 100 cutoff?
The organizer publishes mandatory loop cutoffs, followed by up to three hours for the final 2.5-mile segment when a runner reaches it inside the required window.
Is Dinosaur Valley 100 a loop race?
Yes. The 100-mile event uses repeated park trail loops plus a final short completion segment.
Related Preparation
- Compare verified US 100-mile races
- Compare this race in the full 2026 calendar
- Open the 100-Mile format guide
- Open the Fixed-Distance format guide
- Compare all race formats
- Use the timed-race pace calculator
- Plan checkpoint arrivals and cutoff buffers
- Print a pace band for your goal time
- Estimate race calories and plan fueling
- Build a crew and drop-bag plan
- Build a race-specific gear checklist
Verification & Sources
Verification scope: the listed edition's date, location, format, and available logistics were checked against the event-specific official sources below during the directory review dated August 10, 2026. Organizers can revise details after review.
- Official 2026 schedule and parking — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dv-schedule
- Official course layout — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dv-course-information
- Official cutoff policy — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dv-race-information
- Official registration and capacity — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dv-registration
- Organizer’s 2026 UltraSignup entry — https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133438
- Official Dinosaur Valley race page — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dinosaurvalley
- Official rules and policies — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dv-rules-and-policies
- Official timing and results — https://www.theactivejoe.com/dv-timing-and-results
- Multiday Running event directory review scope: August 10, 2026.