Run the Lucky Trail Marathon in Seabrook, Texas
Long Distance Trail Running Races in South Texas in the Spring
Dec 20, 2008
This multi-event extravaganza is put on by the Clear Lake Fitness Club, which sponsors marathon running and walking training programs in Clear Lake, Texas, preparing competitors for not only this event but for the Houston marathon as well.
The course is flat as a pancake, so anyone who has been avoiding hillwork training won't be punished.
History of the Lucky Trail Event
This event began in 2004 and the proceeds were designated to fund the medical bills for a club member battling cancer. Since then, it has developed a loyal following and built to a two day event. In 2009, the line-up includes a half-marathon and a two-person relay half on the 14th.
On Sunday, featured are the full marathon, a half marathon, and a four-person relay. Since the crushed gravel trail is only about four feet wide, about half the width of the Memorial Park loop the events are broken up this way to avoid bottlenecks.
Need More Endorphins?
For the more aggressive runners, there are two combo deals:
- The Pelican Challenge. This involves running a half on both days and receiving $10.00 off the total entry fee.
- The Trail Challenge. This one involves running the half on Saturday (as a training run?) and the full on Sunday. Once again, a $10.00 savings for the brave.
This Trail Run's Personality
Over the years, this event has maintained its personal nature, avoiding the impersonal nature of the bigger commercial marathons. In fact, the field is limited to five hundred runners each day and fifty relay teams on Sunday.
In the first year, the race management team even went to the extra effort of hand lettering small signs with an encouraging message with one runner's name on each one. These were placed randomly along the course.
The trail is narrow and the road is long and it's all on the Seabrook trail system.
This is about the last chance to run an enjoyable marathon in South Texas before the summer sets in in earnest. Also, due to the nature of the course, there's no pressure to look for a PR. It's likely not going to happen.
How to Get There on Race Day
The easiest way to get to the staging area is to take Highway 146 and turn towards the bay, which is North East, on North Meyer. Travel 0.6 miles and turn in at Wildwood Park. This is one end of the Seabrook trails. The city swimming pool is right there and has a good size parking lot but won't accommodate all the cars.
Overflow parking is available at the Seabrook library and the elementary school just a bit further down North Meyer.
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