North Texas Trail Runners | Host of the Frisco Trail Race

Frequently Asked Questions

HomeFrequently Asked Questions

North Texas Trail Runners will serve as leaders in the trail running community in north Texas and beyond by creating, supporting, and enhancing the sport of trail running through organizational programs and activities and will strive to positively impact the communities in which we live, work, and run.

The North Texas Trail Runners is 501(c)(3) non-profit trail and ultra running club in the North Texas and greater Dallas / Ft. Worth areas founded in 1996. Over the past few years we’ve donated over $12,000 to the following local partners: Frisco Education Fund, Abigail’s Arms Child Advocacy Center, DORBA, Back on My Feet Dallas, Friends of the Grasslands, GallantFew and Town North Optimist Foundation.

NTTR is about fun, fellowship, and supporting each other! Membership benefits include: an awesome trail running community, club runs, holiday party, custom NTTR Buff, 10% off Running Warehouse, members group, and discount codes to local races (including $15 off the Frisco Trail Race).

Join/Renew online at active.com. Options are: $25 for One Year, $40 for Two Years, $60 for Three Years, or $250 for a Lifetime Membership.

Twenty five bucks and a good sense of humor.

Well, let’s see…. We have a Facebook page and a members group that allows members to communicate with each other and find out about training runs, meetings, race schedules, results, and we are usually up on trail conditions. By the way, you get no spam and BS is not allowed, so all you get is the facts and information pertaining to running.  We have regular club runs and a blinger of a Christmas party. Most of all you get to hear all the war stories of past running exploits. In fact, if you run with us you will hear them several times.

After joining you’ll receive an email with discount codes and the link to join our members only group. We have amazing volunteers that help with local races including Damnation Aid Station at Rocky Raccoon 100. In 2018 we hosted the inaugural Frisco Trail Race and Red River Trail Run with the support of our members. Finally, over the past few years we’ve donated over $12000 to the following local partners: Frisco Education Fund, Abigail’s Arms Child Advocacy Center, DORBA, Back on My Feet Dallas, Friends of the Grasslands, GallantFew and Town North Optimist Foundation.

A. Many of us are real trail purists, but occasionally we will venture onto asphalt. After a few trail runs you won’t want to run on concrete at all. We have a few members who sneak off and compete in road races, but we try to keep them from contaminating our club. Shin splints, back problems, and a plethora of muscle pulls hide in the roads.

Our members range from beginners looking to get more experience on the trails and experienced trail runners who often lead our monthly group runs (Trail Rodeos) as well as organize group runs throughout the week. Our monthly Trail Rodeos typically take place at Northshore Trail at Grapevine Lake which has beginner friendly routes and more technical routes which accommodates our members’ growth and experience on trails. We also have a weekly social run on Wednesday nights.

One of the best and most convenient is the Northshore Trail at Lake Grapevine. You can find some of us out there nearly every Saturday morning. We also use Horseshoe Trail (nearly always dry, or semi-dry), Cedar Ridge Preserve (our hill training course), Cross Timbers (at Lake Texoma and very tough), and there are trails at Lake Ray Roberts (Isle du Bois), Lake Lavon, Grasslands, Southlake, and Roanoke. We can usually find you a trail that is convenient.

Nope, most of our training runs are out and back so you can get off the trail any time you like. Nearly all trail races have shorter distances (fun runs). It just seems to be the nature of trail running to stay out as long as you can, and consequently we find ourselves running longer (you don’t have to take out the garbage if you tell your wife, gee; I’m an Ultra runner).

We don’t have any specific rules except those outlined by the agency that is responsible for the trails. The Corps of Engineers, State Parks and Wildlife Service or the National Parks Service has jurisdiction over most of our trails. There also are a few privately owned trails. The park and/or trail rules and regulations are generally posted near the trailhead or at the park information center. We recommend you acquaint yourself with these rules. We have a few additional suggestions that you might consider:

  • Although most trail regulations give the right of way to hikers (which generally covers us), we strongly suggest that you give way to mountain bikes. Taking on a bike going fifteen miles per hour will definitely cut your run short. When you approach walkers and hikers from the rear let them know you are coming, and always pass on the left.
  • As well as not littering we suggest that you pick up one piece of litter each time you run. Every little bit helps.
  • Keep your eyes on the trail lest you become part of it.
  • Stop and render aid, and report all accidents and injuries. Two or three miles is a long way to go with a broken wrist.
  • Be sure to carry and drink enough water. Heat kills. We recommend 16 to 21 ounces every three to five miles depending on the temperature.
  • Other than these few suggestions let common courtesy and love of nature and the outdoors dictate your actions.

I could go on for hours; and usually do, the benefits are so many. Trails are cooler in the summer, warmer with less wind in the winter, have a higher level of oxygen, thanks to Mom Nature and her two children, Photo and Synthesis, and a lower level of air pollution (you don’t find many cars on the trail). The surface is softer, reducing impact injuries, and the pace is slower due to the terrain thus eliminating injuries caused by the number one offender, SPEED.

Well, there are the rocks and roots, which can cause twisted ankles and a nasty fall once and a while, and the mud can be a little messy at times, but all in all we feel the benefits outweigh a few cuts and bruises. Occasionally you will meet a snake, skunk or raccoon, but that only reminds us who really owns the trails.

Join/Renew online at active.com. Options are: $25 for One Year, $40 for Two Years, $60 for Three Years, or $250 for a Lifetime Membership. Membership benefits include: an awesome trail running community, custom NTTR Buff, 10% off Running Warehouse, members group page, and discount codes to local races (such as $15 off the Frisco Trail Race). The mission is the promotion and encouragement of long distance trail running and the education of the public to its benefits. Join us today!

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