ATHLETE'S GUIDE

Get out on the trails!

FEBRUARY 20, 2022

DRIPPING SPRINGS RANCH PARK
DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX

PRESENTED BY

 COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
Stay at home if you feel sick or have been exposed to someone with
COVID-19.
If, on race morning, you have a fever, please stay home and contact the
race director.
 WELCOME!
Everyone should have the opportunity to try trail

running. In the early days of trail racing, the only

race distances available were 50K and longer. We

believe that the distance you run doesn't define you.

5K? 10K? Yes! You are a trail runner! Whether you

are new to trail running and "giving it a go" or a

seasoned trail runner looking for a run trail race,

Happy Trails has you covered.

Before Happy Treading, there was Trailhead

Running-- my first opportunity to encourage women

to trail run, putting speed and distance aside and

focusing on building a community of runners. Life

happens and change is inevitable. The Trailhead

Running book closed and Happy Treading was born-

-still encouraging women to trail run by providing

opportunities through group runs and races.

Happy Trails Ranch Park was our first race under

Happy Treading and it is now in it's 4th year. We

have grown from 1 race to 3! I am grateful that you

have chosen to spend your morning with us. Happy
Treading strives to provide a well-marked course, a

fun and encouraging atmosphere.

Don't forget our next race on 4/16 at Camp Moody

in Buda, TX. Enjoy the race you get to do on

Sunday!

Happy Treading,

Richelle Criswell

Happy Treading Founder + Race Director

www.happytreading.com
SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS TO
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
SATURDAY 2/20/2022
7:30 am - 8:45 am Packet Pickup
8:50 am Welcome and Course Review
8:55 am National Anthem
9:00 am 10K & 5K Race Starts
10:30 am 5K/10K awards & Prize Drawings
12:00 pm Course Closed

IMPORTANT RACE INFO

Start time is 9:00 am for all distances.

NO CUPS ON THE RACE COURSE

Bring a water bottle or hand held. Water is

provided on the course .

Race day packet pickup only.

There is plenty of parking but give yourself

enough time to get there and get organized!

There are multiple event going on at Ranch

Park, just follow the parking signs to the race

start/parking area.

Awards go to the top three female finishers for

each distance.

The course, for the most part, is not technical.

There are a few rocky sections that will keep

entertained and focused. Remember--smile

and have fun!

Course and venue are spectator friendly so

bring your friends and family (no dogs on the

course, please).

Any last minute urgent updates will be posted

on Facebook and e-mailed out to participants

www.happytreading.com
 PACKET PICKUP - RACE DAY ONLY

Athletes can pick up their race number, shirt,

and other goodies on race day.

Don’t forget to bring your own goodie bag and we

will supply the goodies!

Sunday, February 20, 2022

7:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Race Location - Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042

Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Michelle Hittner and

RACE LOCATIONS & MAPS
her team of
Location for Happy Trails Trail Race
massage therapists
Dripping Springs Ranch Park
are a staple in the
1042 Event Center Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
athletic community.
Google Map

From downtown Austin, 28 miles (30 minutes)

With 3 locations in

the Austin area,

you're guaranteed

to book a

massage with an

exceptional

therapist.

  www.happytreading.com
 POST RACE ACTIVITIES
Athletes will be treated to a fun post-race party

including refreshments and activities from fantastic

local businesses, including:

Big Mouth Announcing

Fruit and Freshly Made Pancakes

Hot Coffee

Athletic Brewing (non-alcoholic beer)

Kate's Real Food Bars

Awards Ceremony

AWARDS CEREMONY +
RAFFLE PRIZES
Awards will be given to the top 3 women in each

distance.

A handful of items such as Race Entries, Vouchers

for free Happy Treading Group sessions and more. .

Hydration and lighting

systems for all your trail

running needs from

UltrAspire.

www.ultraspire.com

Altra Running has

shoes for you no matter

where you run!

www.altrarunning.com

www.happytreading.com
PARKING
There is plenty of parking available and the race

start is just a very short walk from the race area

(less than 5 minutes at the farthest point). Follow

race signs and volunteers to help you get parked

quickly and safely on race morning!

RACE COURSE & MAP (10K & 5K)

The course is one large loop. There will be signage and

volunteers to at the cut-off for the 5K.

Trail running is more about the journey than the distance.

Course distances are approximate. Link to map also see

page 7 of the course guide.

AID STATIONS
1 on the 5K course

2 on the 10K course

The race is a cup-less race. Runners, who want water on

the course, will need to bring their own hydration device.

Water just will be located at mile 1.5 ish, 3.5ish (10K), and

5.5ish (10K).

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Capital Medical Services will be at the start/finish line

and on course.

FACILITIES
Big thank you to Ranch Park and the City of Dripping

Springs for providing a great venue. Please help us keep

the trails clean by using provided trash cans and being

respectful of their property.

VOLUNTEERS
Be sure to give a big THANK YOU to all our fantastic
volunteers at packet pickup and during the race!

www.happytreading.com
SPECTATORS
Spectators should plan to arrive at least 30

minutes before the race starts to ensure time for

parking and to find a place out on the race

course if desired*. The course is spectator-

friendly with several places to cheer athletes on

during the race and/or meet up with athletes at

the post-race celebration. There are plenty of

places for kids to run and play during the events;

however, children under the age of 16 must have

adult/guardian supervision at all times. *Note:

Spectators are not allowed on the actual race

course during the event.

WEATHER
The race will take place rain or shine. The only exception

will be in the case of lightening; the race will be

postponed for 20 minutes after the last

lightening/thunder strike. The race will be delayed up to 1

hour. If severe weather does not allow for safe racing

conditions, the race will be cancelled and not

rescheduled for a future date. Last minute updates will be

posted on Happy Treading's website, Facebook page, and

an e-mail will be sent out to all pre-registered

participants.

www.happytreading.com
RACE INFO: BY TOPIC
AWARDS
Overall awards will be given to the top

three finishers for each distance. Everyone

will receive a finisher’s award.

AGE MINIMUM
Participants must be at least 14 years old

to run unaccompanied.

CARPOOL/RIDESHARE
We encourage participants to carpool to

the event!

COURSE MARKING
The course will be very well marked. Orange flags

will be used throughout the course to indicate

correct course direction. Large "Wrong Way" signs

and yellow/black "Caution" tape will be used to

indicate areas that runners should not go. If you

pass by one of these markers, turn around.

Volunteers will be on the course to assist runners .

The race venue will be well marked with signs so

athletes and spectators know where to go for

parking, race start/finish, packet pickup, etc.

Volunteers will be at the race venue to assist

runners and spectators.

CUPS
There will be NO cups at the aid stations. Athletes

are strongly encouraged to bring their own

hydration system (filled with water) to limit

contact.

DOGS
We love our four-legged furry friends but only

humans on the race course. Fur-babies are great

spectators and must be accompanied by their

“parents.”

www.happytreading.com
DROP BAGS
No official drop bags or areas are available.

Plan to keep any items (change of clothes, etc.)

with family or friends or keep in your car. Happy

Treading is not responsible for lost or stolen

items.

EMERGENCY
For all life threatening emergencies, dial 911.  Then contact

the race organization at: 512.585.5034. Capital Medical

Services also will be on the course race day.

FIRST AID - MEDICAL

First aid and medical assistance, provided by Capital

Medical Services, is available for all athletes at the race

venue. Additionally, EMS and local authorities will be

notified of the race and will be available for any

emergencies.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE
Paved parking is available. However, please keep in mind

that the race venue is primarily on trail and most of the

event course will be extremely difficult to access via

wheelchair, crutches, or other limited mobility devices.

INFORMATION / REGISTRATION
An information and registration table will be on site to

assist volunteers and spectators with any questions or

concerns during the event.

LITTERING
No littering. There are garbage cans at water stops and at

the start/finish line area. If you see trash, please pick it

up.

www.happytreading.com
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and found will be located at the information

table near the start/finish line. Please e-mail

[email protected]  for any unclaimed

items left after the event.

MAPS
See “Maps and Location Info” in this document for venue

and course map information.

PACERS
No pacers are allowed for this event. Only registered

runners and official race personnel can be on the run

course during the event.

PACKET PICKUP
Race day packet pickup is available. Go to

www.happtreading.com/happy-trails/ for packet pickup

times and locations.  B(ring)Y(our) O(own) B(ag) – In an

effort to reduce event waste, please bring your own bag

for packet pickup. Our motto, “We provide the goodies,

you provide the bag.”

PARKING: CAR
There is plenty of parking for cars close to the race start.

We encourage carpooling whenever possible. Follow

volunteers and parking signs. ALWAYS lock your car and

take your keys.

PHOTOGRAPHY
We will do our best to capture the excitement of race day!

Photos will be posted after the race and links available on

our website.

PORT-A-POTTIES
Port-a-potties will be available for all participants and

spectators throughout the event. And we will have PLENTY

of toilet paper too! Port-a-potties will have hand sanitizer

too!!

www.happytreading.com
PRE-RACE MEETING
There will be a brief pre-race meeting 10 minutes

before the race starts at the start line followed

by the National Anthem. Then the race will begin

promptly on time.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION

Race day registration is available (unless the race is sold

out). Cash, check, or credit card will be accepted.

RACE DISTANCE
Each of the race distances have been measured using

Garmin technology and Google Earth maps.

REFUND, RACE ENTRY

Refunds are not available. Race registration transfers are

on a case by case basis. See also cancellations due to

inclement weather (“Weather”).

RESULTS
Only the top three overall female finishers for each race

distance will be announced.

SCHWAG
All registered participants will receive a high quality

women’s cut shirt with the race logo on the front. Finishers

will receive a unique finisher’s gift at the finish line.

SHOES AND CLOTHING

Trail-specific apparel (shoes, clothing) is not necessary for

the event. However, the course is off-road so there are

plenty of opportunities to encounter rocks, trees, cactus,

brush, and other things that scrape, sting, or bite. Please

take any precaution necessary to ensure a fun and safe

event

www.happytreading.com
SPECTATORS & KIDS
The course is spectator-friendly with several

places to cheer athletes on during the race

and/or meet up with athletes at the post-race

celebration. There are plenty of places for kids

to run and play during the events. Children under

the age of 16 must have adult/guardian

supervision at all times.

Note: Spectators are not allowed on the actual

race course during the event.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER

This is America. Darn right we will have the Star Spangled

Banner!

START TIME
The 5K and 10K races will start at 9:00am.

START/FINISH LINE
The start and finish lines are in the same location and

marked with appropriate signage (Happy Treading feather

flags).

TIME CUTOFF
There is a two (2) hour time cutoff for the 5K and 10K

distance events. Race director(s) have the right to pull

anyone off the course at any time for safety reasons.

UPDATES AND INFORMATION

Any major changes or updates to the race or related

events will be e-mailed to the participants, posted on

Facebook, and updated on the happytreading.com

website. Please check these areas a few days before the

event so you have the latest information.

www.happytreading.com
VOLUNTEERS
We love our volunteers! Volunteers can register

to help with an event by going to

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?

did=87446. All volunteers will receive a t-shirt,

post-race food, and our undying gratitude!

WAIVERS
All runners and volunteers must sign a waiver as part of

their race entry/volunteer process.

WATER STOP(S)
There will be one water stop on the 5K course and two on

the 10K course. There will be NO cups at the water stops.

The race is a cup-less race. Runners, who want water on

the course, will need to bring their own hydration device.

WEATHER
The races will take place rain or shine. The only exception

will be in the case of lightening – the race will be

postponed for 20 minutes after the last

lightening/thunder strike. The race will be delayed up to 1

hour. If severe weather does not allow for safe racing

conditions, the race will be cancelled and not

rescheduled for a future date. Refunds will not be issued

because almost all of the supplies and services for the

event must be purchased well in advance of the actual

event date. Last minute updates will be posted on Happy

Treading's website, Facebook page, and an e-mail will be

sent out to all pre-registered participants.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

HAVE A GREAT RACE!

www.happytreading.com