Runner on a misty forest trail at dawn

Sunday · July 19, 2026 · San Antonio, TX

Dragon Trails
Summer Edition

25K, 10K and 5K trail races through Pearsall Park, San Antonio. Steep hills. Texas heat. One toughest 5K in the city.

03
Days
17
Hrs
29
Min
50
Sec
Live Updates

Latest Announcements

15
Jul
new

New finisher perks — medals, cooling towels & 25K hydration packs

Every finisher takes home our newly designed vintage wooden engraved medal. Every runner also gets a cooling towel at the finish line. All 25K runners receive a hydration pack in their race packet.

14
Jul
urgent

Heat advisory — hydrate early this week

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.

12
Jul
new

Packet pickup is race-day only

Pick up under the E-Dragon Productions tent at Pearsall Park, 6:00am–7:30am. 5000 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242.

10
Jul
info

Parking at the Ninja Adventure Park lot

Start / finish is at the parking area near the Ninja Adventure Park at Pearsall Park. Plenty of parking near the finish line.

San Antonio Forecast

Next 5 Days

Wed
Jul 15
⛈️
78°73°
Heavy showers
70% rain
Thu
Jul 16
🌦️
84°75°
Light drizzle
22% rain
Fri
Jul 17
⛈️
89°73°
Scattered storms
28% rain
Sat
Jul 18
🌤️
93°74°
Isolated storms
3% rain
Sun
Jul 19 · RACE
☀️
95°74°
Hot & clear
1% rain

Forecast via Open-Meteo · updated periodically. Bring hydration, sun protection, and expect trail mud early in the week.

Watch

Video Previews

Where are we running at Pearsall Park?

Race Director Erik walks through the 25K course layout at Pearsall Park.

Will there be water stops?

Aid station plan for the Dragon Trails 25K — hydration, fuel, and spacing.

What does our event benefit?

The story behind Dragon Trails and who your entry supports.

2022 American Hero 25K

Race-day footage from a past E-Dragon Productions 25K event.

Dragon's Den Half — Music Along the Route

A taste of the on-course energy E-Dragon Productions is known for.

American Hero Preview

Course preview from a previous E-Dragon race — same trail director, same vibe.

Timeline

Race Weekend Schedule

Sunday, Jul 19 — RACE DAY

  • 6:00am – 7:30am
    Race-day packet pickup (E-Dragon Productions tent)
  • 6:30am
    Great Dragon 25K start
  • 6:45am
    Ultimate Dragon 10K start
  • 7:30am
    SA Toughest 5K start
  • 11:00am
    Course closes · awards + taco breakfast

Cutoffs & Rules (25K)

  • 2:15
    First-loop cutoff — after this, runners drop to 10K
  • 4:30
    Overall cutoff (17:22/mile pace) — timers stop
  • Switch
    Need to change distances? Talk to the timer on race day.
Distances

Choose Your Trail

25K
Elevation gain
1,556 ft
Cutoff
4:30
Surface
2 loops · 8 aid stations/loop · $100
10K
Elevation gain
675 ft
Cutoff
Surface
Mimic of 12.5K loop · 6 aid stations · $75
5K
Elevation gain
~300 ft
Cutoff
Surface
3 brutal hills · 3 aid stations · $50

Detailed course maps and GPX files will be posted here 48 hours before race day.

Explore the Terrain

3D Course Preview

25K · 15.5 mi · 200 ft range
Pearsall Park · San Antonio

Interactive preview — drag the sliders to tilt and rotate. Bars are per-mile elevation. Real GPX overlay coming soon on RunSignup.

Race-Day Playbook

How to Run Hills & Mud

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.

Technique

Shorten your stride on the climbs

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.

Brake less on the descents

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.

Read the mud before you step

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.

Fuel and drink on a schedule

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.

Gear Checklist

  • Trail shoes with 4–6mm lugs
    Road shoes skate on wet clay. Lugs bite into mud, roots, and loose limestone.
  • Low gaiters
    Keep grit, mulch, and pebbles out of your shoes — one small rock over 15 miles ends a race.
  • Handheld or 500ml soft flask
    Aid stations are ~1 mile apart, but between them the sun is brutal. Carry your own water.
  • Salt tabs or electrolyte chews
    Cramp insurance for the 25K. Sweat rate in July San Antonio can hit 1.5+ L/hr.
  • Trucker hat or visor + sunglasses
    Shade for your face on exposed sections and keeps sweat out of your eyes.
  • Body Glide on feet, thighs, and nipples
    Wet socks + heat = blisters and chafe in miles, not hours. Lube before you start.
  • Bandana or buff soaked in ice water
    Around the neck it drops your core temp fast at each aid station.
  • Dry shoes and socks for the finish
    Stash them in your car. Your future self will thank you at taco breakfast.
Pro tip: Do a 20-minute shakeout on trail (not road) the day before. Your ankles will remember how to react to uneven ground when the gun goes off.
Race Morning

Bib Lookup · Packet Pickup

Try demo bibs: · ·

Enter your bib to see your distance, wave, shirt size and packet-pickup status.

Live Race Photos

Photo Lookup by Bib

Photos by J&B Photography · updated every 10 min on race day.

Enter your bib to preview watermarked proofs. Full-resolution unwatermarked prints available for purchase.

Talk to Erik

Ask the Race Director

Maria G.Are strollers or dogs allowed on course?+

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.

Devin R.Is there gear check?+

RD:Yes — drop a labeled bag at the E-Dragon tent by 6:20am. It'll be watched until course close at 11am.

Ana P.Can spectators see runners mid-race?+

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.

Chris L.What if I finish loop 1 right at the cutoff?+

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.

Race Day

Live Timing & Results

Track runners in real time on race morning. Bib lookup, splits and final results — all in one place.

Know Before You Go

Logistics

Start / Finish
Pearsall Park — near the Ninja Adventure Park
5000 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242
Parking
Plenty of parking at the start/finish lot near the Ninja Adventure Park. No shuttle needed.
What You Get
Race-logo singlet, bib + timing chip (chip-timed by IAAP), our newly designed vintage wooden engraved finisher medal (all distances), a cooling towel at the finish, and a post-race taco breakfast. 25K runners also receive a hydration pack in their packet.
Weather & Heat
Summer in San Antonio — expect heat. Aid stations every ~1 mile with ice-cold water and Gatorade. 25K start may be delayed slightly if sunrise is late for safety on technical terrain.
Race Director
Erik "El Dragon" Burciaga · E-Dragon Productions
More info: edragonpro.net/races
Answers

FAQ

Where is the start / finish?+

Pearsall Park — parking area near the Ninja Adventure Park. 5000 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242.

When is packet pickup?+

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.

What's the 25K cutoff?+

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.

Can I switch distances?+

Yes — talk to the timer on race day and they'll get you transferred.

What's at the aid stations?+

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.

What do finishers get?+

Every finisher gets our newly designed vintage wooden engraved medal — 25K, 10K and 5K. Every runner also gets a cooling towel at the finish and a race-logo singlet, plus a post-race taco breakfast. 25K runners additionally receive a hydration pack in their packet.

Age group awards?+

E-Dragon coins to the 1st place runner in each 10-year age group — 19 & under through 70+ — for every event.

Powered by our sponsors
E-Dragon Productions
IAAP Best Race Timers
J&B Photography
DJ Dragon
Pearsall Park
City of San Antonio