Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run 8K/15K

RUN THE RECHARGE where the Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon dinosaurs once roamed on the trails of Government Canyon State Natural Area! This is your opportunity to run amongst the footsteps of giants! We hope you will join us in-person, but we offer a virtual option as well for those who can’t make the race in-person or live outside of San Antonio, TX. Either way sign up and help support one of Texas’ largest natural areas and help us protect and preserve these trails for another 116,000 million years.

About Our Annual Fundraiser. This year marks the 13th Anniversary of the Recharge Run and is our annual fundraiser that benefits the Friends of Government Canyon (FoGC), a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that advocates, raises funds, and provides volunteer support to help maintain, preserve, and protect Government Canyon State Natural Area. Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, all of your race entry fee goes directly to helping fund projects at Government Canyon State Natural Area. To learn more about the Friends group, all the great things they do, and how you can get involved click HERE.

IN-PERSON RACE Saturday, November 7, 2026 @ GCSNA, 12861 Galm Road, San Antonio, TX 78254

Race Start Times

15K - 7:30am 

8K - 7:45am

Courses close at 11:30am.

The start/finish line is approximately a 1/4 mile from picnic pavilion and bus drop off/pickup area.

Getting Here & Parking. Due to parking constraints at the Canyon runners MUST park at Folks Middle School https://goo.gl/maps/f9mmFeEhacEPUtgQ9  Buses will run from 6:15am until 7:35am, and from 9am until 11:45am. Arrive at least one hour early to park, ride bus to Natural Area, pick up packet at pavilion, and walk 1/4 mile to start/finish line.

RockStar Overall Awards & Ceremony. In-person race will be timed by Split Second Productions. Your race timing chip is on the back of your race bib. Please DO NOT bend the chips, and please wear your bib on the FRONT of your shirt/bottoms.

The Top 3 Male/Female/Non-binary finishers, and Top 3 Masters Male/Female/Non-binary (50+) Finishers will receive a handmade RockStar to commemorate your win. 

A unique finishers medal for every runner who crosses the finish line. Awards ceremony at approximately 10am. There are no age group awards.

DINO-MITE Post-Race Celebration - Jurassic SA Dinosaur Experiences will be on hand after the race and during the awards ceremony for photo ops and prehistoric fist bumps! Join us for tasty post-race food and refreshments at the Picnic Pavilion. Expect HEB Texas True Tacos, HEB snacks, Wildway Granola, fresh fruit, Propel Fitness Water, Crazy Water, and much more. 

Course & Aid Station Information - All races start and finish at the same location. There is an Aid Station located approximately half way on each course with Crazy Water (mother-nature infused water), Propel electrolytes, Wildway granola (vegan), and GU Gels (15K course only, GF/vegan).

We are a CUPLESS race. Please wear or carry a hydration device, or ask for a complimentary HydraPak SpeedCup at packet pickup or at any Aid Station.

15K Route can expect rugged singletrack, steep climbs, and jaw-dropping views. Out here in the Backcountry, the terrain gets gnarly, the rocks get real, and the rewards are as big as a Sauroposeidon’s silhouette in the Texas sky. 

8K Route has winding, runnable paths that flow through along the Frontcountry trails oak and juniper woodlands and open prairies with plenty of twists, turns, and a bit of rocky Texas limestone to keep things lively. These trails are perfect for finding your gentler run or hike groove, and for picking up some Acrocanthosaurus-like speed if that wild side calls.

All runners MUST clear courses by 11:30am. 

VIRTUAL Run Details: For the virtual option you can run or walk like a dinosaur from any location and route you choose. Trails, road, treadmill, beach, the moon—the choice is yours. Simply signup, download and print your digital race bib, complete your 15K or 8K distance. Pick up your packet or pay shipping to have it send your way. You still get your race shirt and medal for all the bragging rights. Virtual participants are not eligible for awards.

Digital Bib: Login to your RunSignup profile, Select>Upcoming Events>View Digital Bib...Print and Run!

Pick up your packet in-person, or choose to have it send anywhere in the USA for a fee. Packets will be mailed to virtual participants on or before Monday, November 9, 2026. 

SHIPPING NOTE: If you do NOT pay to have your packet shipped, you MUST pickup in person or have a friend pickup for you. We do not hold packets after race day, if no arrangements were made prior.

Please take a picture at the end of your run with your shirt and medal. Upload these to your social media platforms and share on our Facebook page. #FoGCRechargeRun #FoGC #GovernmentCanyonSNA 

Register Early. This race will cap at 300 participants. Sign up with early bird pricing waves through September 30th at 11:59pm.

In-Person Packet Pick Up:

PACKET PICKUP #1: Friday, November 6th from 4pm-7pm

                                    Location: iRun Texas - Broadway, 4001 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

PACKET PICKUP #2: Saturday, November 7th from 6:15-7:30am (morning of race)

                                    Government Canyon State Natural Area, Picnic Pavilion (bus drop off area)

Like us on Facebook. Via our Facebook page we will share race information, feature our generous sponsors, alert you to special offers/discounts from our sponsors, fun giveaways, and who knows what else. Click here to join our Facebook Page

PLEASE NOTE THE FINE PRINT: 

NO dogs or strollers allowed on the courses. 

This is a CUPLESS race—please carry a hydration device, or ask for a FREE reusable HydraPak SpeedCup. 

In the event of RAIN/TRAIL CLOSURES, the race will be run on the paved roads in the natural area, in areas that are both accessible and not accessible to the public. A not ideal, but sweet road run.

Sorry, NO REFUNDS.