The Paris Pair

Saturday, September 21, 2024

About The Race

Located in northeast Texas, Paris, Texas, this race takes place on the NETT Trail, a rails-to-trails conversion route. The trail is a mix of asphalt trail, soft ground, gravel trails and some bridge crossings. This is a flat and fast course. It’s like a road race with a trail vibe!

All distances start and end at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas/Love Civic Center and are an out and back on the NETT Trail, going east of Paris.

Run a race in the morning, at night, or both! Run Paris, y’all!

2023 Race Results and Runner Tracking 

Events

  • 100K
  • 50K (AM Only)
  • Marathon (AM and PM)
  • Half Marathon (AM and PM)
  • 10K (AM and PM)
  • 5K (AM and PM)

Location

Race Schedule

Friday Afternoon/Saturday Morning

Friday

3:30 – 6 p.m. Pre-race day Packet Pick up*

Saturday

5:00–7:45 AM Morning packet pick up*
5:45 AM     100K Pre-Race Briefing
6:00 AM      100K Race Starts
6:45 AM      50K/Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
7:00 AM      50K/Marathon Race Starts
7:15 AM      Half Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
7:30 AM      Half Marathon Race Starts
7:45 AM      10K/5K Pre-Race Briefing
8:00 AM      10K/5K Race Starts

* There is no hard cutoff for daytime races, except for the 2 a.m. cutoff for the 100K and all PM races. However, if you are also running a PM race, you must finish your AM race before the start of your PM race.

* All packet pickups will be held at the Love Civic Center. It is recommended that you enter the building by the bike rack.

Saturday Evening

5:15-7:15 PM Afternoon packet pick up
5:45 PM     Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
6:00 PM     Marathon Race Starts
6:45 PM     Half Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
7:00 PM     Half Marathon Race Starts
7:15 PM     10K/5K Pre-Race Briefing
7:30 PM     10K/5K Race Starts
2:00 AM     Cut off for 100K and all other races

Runners in PM races must have a headlamp

Course

All races will be out and back on the NETT Trail. Moving along the path east of Paris, the first nine miles is asphalt. Beyond that point, the trail changes to a hard-packed gravel trail.

Runners in the AM Marathon (26.2) and both AM and PM Half Marathon (13.1), 10K and 5K will run the trail once. All runners will run half their distance and then turn around and head back to the finish line.

Runners in the PM Marathon will run the Half Marathon course twice. This will keep our runners closer together and provide an atmosphere that is safer and more fun for all.

50K runners:

First, complete the marathon course: 13.1 miles from Start to Turnaround point, then 13.1 miles back to the Start/Finish aid station.

For your final mileage, run 2.45 miles from Start/Finish to the turnaround point, and then 2.45 miles back to the Finish Line

100K runners:

Complete the Marathon Course twice (26.2 x 2); returning to Start/Finish aid station both times

For your final mileage, run 4.85 miles from Start/Finish to the turnaround point, and 4.85 miles back to Finish Line

Aid Stations

IMPORTANT: All runners in all distances must carry a hydration device (i.e. Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder) to participate in the race. 

This is a cupless race. We do not provide cups to participants. However, we sell a rubber reusable collapsable cup for $5 each that can be purchased when you pick up your race packet.

Aid stations will have volunteer support. In addition to Water and Gatorade, we will stock the aid station with bananas, oranges, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, Oreos, fig cookies, soda, Salt Stick and much more.

Runners in the Half Marathon, Marathon, 50K and 100K will hit aid stations twice or at the turnaround points. 10K and 5K runners will not hit an aid station.

Aid Station Locations

  • Mile 4 (Half Marathon, Marathon, 50K and 100K runners will pass 2x on each loop)
  • Mile 8.5 (Marathon, 50K, 100K runners will pass 2x on each loop)
  • Mile 13.1 (100K, 50K, Marathon AM)
  • Start/Finish (For runners in the 50K and 100K)

Pacers

We will only allow pacers in the 100K race. Pacers will only be allowed in the final out and back (approximately 10 miles) or after 5 p.m. Pacers will be asked to check in with the race director when they arrive and sign a waiver form.

Lodging and Camping

Lodging

The Hampton Inn in Paris, TX offers a negotiated rate of $134/night + tax and Days Inn offers $94/night + tax rate. When you call to make a reservation, be sure to let them know that you are a “Blaze Trails Runner” and you will be there for a local event. It is important to note that they are not holding a set number of rooms for runners. Therefore, call ahead of time to ensure you have a room before they are sold out.

Camping

Car, tent, and limited RV camping will be available at the Start/Finish at the Love Civic Center.

For RV and tent camping, reserve a spot ahead of time by calling 903.739.9912, and leave a message for Randy.

Awards/Medals/Shirts

Registration and Refund Policy

We understand that things come up. If you can no longer run the race, if you cancel more than 30 days in advance, you will receive 100% race credit for another Blaze Trails Running event. If you cancel between 30 days and two weeks prior to race day, you will receive 50% race credit towards another Blaze Trails Running event. We will not allow any refunds or transfers less than two weeks before race day. No exceptions.

To cancel, log into Ultrasignup > Registration History and select “Edit” to cancel your race. Your credit needs to be used within one year. If you need an extended time to use your credit due to medical reasons (including pregnancy) or military deployments, please reach out ahead of time.

Bib transfers to another runner are allowed up until the two weeks prior to the race only if the race has not sold out and there is no waitlist. If you are interested in transferring your bib to a friend, please contact us immediately. It is very important for the safety of all runners that we have the correct contact and medical information. If the shirt order has already been placed, your friend agrees to accept the shirt size that you ordered. A $15 administration fee (plus transaction fee) will be charged to the person who is accepting the bib transfer. We require transfers to be completed no later than two weeks prior to the race. This allows us to keep our focus on producing the event and other important race details during the race week. If you contact us in the last two weeks to ask for a transfer, we will not reply and the transfer is not allowed. No exceptions.

When you register, you acknowledge that we do not provide a refund if we are forced to cancel the race due to unforeseen circumstances that risk the safety of our participants due to conditions that are out of the race director’s control. This may include, but is not limited to flooding, lightning or any other weather condition that makes the course unsafe for participants.

We understand that things come up. If you can no longer run the race, if you cancel more than 30 days in advance, you will receive 100% race credit for another Blaze Trails Running event. If you cancel between 30 days and two weeks prior to race day, you will receive 50% race credit towards another Blaze Trails Running event. We will not allow any refunds or transfers less than two weeks before race day. No exceptions.

To cancel, log into Ultrasignup > Registration History and select “Edit” to cancel your race.

Bib transfers to another runner are allowed up until the two weeks prior to the race only if the race has not sold out. If you are interested in transferring your bib to a friend, please contact us immediately. It is very important for the safety of all runners that we have the correct contact and medical information. If the shirt order has already been placed, your friend agrees to accept the shirt size that you ordered. A $15 administration fee (plus transaction fee) will be charged to the person who is accepting the bib transfer. We require transfers to be completed no later than two weeks prior to the race. This allows us to keep our focus on producing the event and other important race details during the race week. If you contact us in the last two weeks to ask for a transfer, we will not reply and the transfer is not allowed. No exceptions.

When you register, you acknowledge that we do not provide a refund if we are forced to cancel the race due to unforeseen circumstances that risk the safety of our participants due to conditions that are out of the race director’s control. This may include, but is not limited to flooding, lightning or any other weather condition that makes the course unsafe for participants.

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