Chris Barnwell

Bio

Chris Barnwell is the founder and race director of Blaze Trails Running, a premier trail racing organization that has become a cornerstone of the Texas ultra-running community. What began as volunteer work with struggling local races has evolved into a thriving business featuring 12 trail races across Texas, from beginner-friendly 5Ks to grueling 100-mile challenges. Chris's journey to trail running began with a wake-up call from his doctor when he weighed 245 pounds. Initially dismissive of the advice, a job layoff became the catalyst for change as walking eventually turned to running. His transformation was remarkable—progressing from an overweight tech worker to a sub-10-hour 50-mile runner whose qualifying time at Rocky Raccoon 50 (9:38) earned him entry into the Western States 100 lottery, making the legendary California race his first 100-miler. For over 25 years, Chris built a successful career in technology and business intelligence, working with organizations like the National Wildlife Federation before taking the entrepreneurial leap into full-time race directing in October 2019—timing that would prove challenging when the pandemic hit just months later. Chris's approach to race directing is meticulous and runner-focused. He spends countless hours scouting venues, mapping trails with GPS technology, and designing courses that maximize the available terrain. Whether it's navigating the 40+ miles of trails at Lake Murray or rediscovering overgrown paths at remote ranches, Chris is known for creating challenging yet fair courses that showcase the best of Texas trail running. His personal ultra-running résumé includes not only Western States but also the iconic Comrades Marathon in South Africa (56 miles), demonstrating his commitment to experiencing the sport from a runner's perspective. This firsthand knowledge informs every aspect of his race management, from aid station placement to course marking. Beyond race directing, Chris contributes to the broader trail running community through volunteer trail work at events like the Hard Rock 100 in Colorado. He met his wife Anne at the Raw Running Club, and together they've built both a successful business and a reputation for putting on some of Texas's most beloved trail races, including Grasslands Trail Run, Rockledge Rumble, and the technical Dana Peak Challenge. Chris believes in making trail running accessible to all abilities while maintaining the authentic, supportive community spirit that makes the sport special.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.