Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run

Crewing at Dino Valley

November 21-22, 2026

Sections On This Page:

Great Crewing Guides: Crewing Newsletter Signup, Crew Resource Links, Crew Rules

Valley Village Info: Overview, Crew Areas, Basic Crew Rules, Activities

Crew Area Details: PTERODACTYL, VELOCIRAPTOR, BRONTOSAURUS, T. REX

Supporting Pages with More Details:

Crewing at Dinosaur Valley is straightforward and accessible. There’s just one central location where you can support your runner, every 10.5 miles or less. You’ll experience all the race-day excitement at the finish line, meet fellow crews and spectators, and enjoy a scenic weekend at Dinosaur Valley State Park.

However, most ultramarathoners will find that they don't "need" a crew. While it can be great to have spectators or crew to see you every loop on this multi-loop race, athletes can also lose a lot of time each loop seeing their crew when crew help may not be needed that often and, unless you are the fastest runners out there, it's also a lot of waiting time between loops for crews to be outside in the elements without entertainment. If you are newer to ultra distances, please know that we have many solo athletes who are very successful, especially because we have a Foot Care Tent and 2 Aid Stations athletes encounter, and they are staffed by very experienced athletes with a lot of the supplies you will need!

Crewing Newsletter Signup

Sign up for our Crewing Newsletter which is especially geared to those crewing athletes at the race! It will be filled with tips, updates, education, and information that let you get to know the crewing and pacing side of our event while also helping to get you ready to take care of them on race day.

This list is NOT spammed.

Crewing Newsletter Signup

Valley Village Overview

Valley Village is the heart of the event. It includes:

Start/Finish Line
Cedar Brake Aid Station
All crew areas and spectating spots

Getting There: All crews must park at the Race Parking and follow the signage to walk into the race site along State Park fire roads on the property (not along public roadways with vehicular traffic). The walk is approximately 0.75 miles. Be prepared to carry in your supplies. Please remember that our aid stations are fully stocked when packing for what to bring to the event! We even have a staffed Foot Care tent!

All crew and spectators must follow the Valley Village rules and crew rules outlined below.

Please refer to the parking page for directions.

Basic Rules for Crews

Crewing is allowed only at Valley Village (Cedar Brake Aid Station). No crewing at the Fence Line Aid Station (unless your crew is volunteering there).
Crews can not drink or eat aid station foods.
Anything left out from the time Friday setup starts to the end of race weekend will be unsupervised. Leave items at your own risk.
No food may be left out overnight the Friday of race weekend if you are setting up early (wildlife hazard).
All gear must be removed by Sunday, 6 PM.
Rule violations may result in your runner getting disqualified.

Race Site (and Valley Village) Maps

Valley Village Rules

Follow Leave No Trace principles. Pack out everything you pack in.
Children under 10 must be supervised at all times (within 30 feet and in sight of guardian).
No dogs allowed because it's a high traffic and stimulating environment.
No large grills or propane tanks over 1 lb. Jetboils and 1 lb canisters OK. On-site recycling available for used bottles.
No generators.
Quiet hours: 10 PM to 8 AM (State Park regulations)

Valley Village Activities

Saturday Night Karaoke – Join the fun at the Cedar Brake Aid Station!
Merch Tent – Race shirts, magnets, and more
Food Vendor – Details coming closer to race weekend

Valley Village Crew Areas

Beyond the aid station and start/finish/end of each loop, Valley Village has 4 different crew areas. The multiple areas are there to meet athletes' and crews' needs, while also organizing the space and crowd in the large field we are situated in. Each area has its Pros and Cons.

We have a fun "Buzzfeed quiz" or "Cosmo quiz" to give you a recommendation for crew area. It doesn't replace reading about every crew area and making your own decision, but maybe it can point you in the right direction. Take the quiz now!

PTERODACTYL Crew Area Details

3 reserved tents close to the start/end of each race loop for the top 3 run clubs or groups with the most team points.
Each space includes a professionally installed 20-by-20-foot tent with sidewalls on all four sides. Tents will be assigned in advance, and your crew can move into its space before the race or on race morning.
Groups will be selected by October 15 so earn points as early as possible.
A few important details:
- Lighting is not provided. (For keeping any lighting you bring running, please remember that powerbanks are allowed but gas generators are not allowed.)
- Floor tarps are not provided.
- Chairs are not provided.
- Group members should bring everything you want inside your tent.
- Groups must encourage their members to use this shared space which allows more room in the other crew areas for teams who didn't earn a Pterodactyl spot.

How to earn points to get one of these VIP Priority Group Spots in this area for your run group or club:

1 point per entrant listing your club in registration
- +1 point if the entrant is in the 100M or 100K
5 points for public social media promotion (tag @TheActiveJoe + email Facebook links)
5 points if your club provides 5+ volunteer shifts (must list your group)

VELOCIRAPTOR Crew Area Details

Designed for solo athletes or quick in/out crew access. Perfect for out-of-towners flying in for the race who don't want to invest in a pop-up canopy tent, camp chair, or cooler.
This is a large roped off space very close to the end of each loop, the aid station, and to the portapotties. This is the quickest crew area to access when trying to keep time between loops to a minimum!
Part of the area has shared canopy tents that have community camp chairs and coolers with ice to store any cold items you have brought.
You can claim a small space for your drop bag, a small cooler of your own, and even your own chair in this section, but it is not guaranteed to be under any of the shared canopy tents.
Crews must enter only when their runner is present and leave with all gear when their runner heads out. This is not a hangout area to only quick access for athletes without a lot of gear or much crew.
No need to walk a chair, cooler, or pop-up canopy tent the 0.75 miles from the parking area into the race site!
We suggest having a waterproof drop bag (a dry bag or a large ziploc).

BRONTOSAURUS Crew Area Details

For athletes bringing crews and spectators. A space for anyone who wants to hang out.
This roped-off area is filled first-come, first-served. It is split into two areas: no tents and tents.
The "no tent" area closer to the start/finish/end of each loop is for those without pop-up canopy tents or who want to spectate closer than where their tent is setup. That section is perfect to get to know more of the other crews without isolating in a canopy tent. Set out a beach towel or a camp chair. Fully exposed to the elements.
The tent area is behind this and has lots of room in the field. It is measured out in 10x10 blocks. It is the furthest away crew area of all the options but allows you a space to spread out and setup your own tent.

T. REX Crew Area Details & Reservation Info

Perfect for large groups, the T-Rex area gives athletes and crews a ready-to-use, fully-enclosed home base for race weekend. It’s a great option for crews who can't bring their own pop-up canopy tents, or for anyone who would appreciate a little extra shelter from whatever November weather throws at us.

This is the only crew area that requires advance reservations. Each space includes a professionally installed 20-by-20-foot tent with sidewalls on all four sides. Tents will be assigned in advance, and your crew can move into its space before the race or on race morning.

A few important details:

Lighting is not provided.
Floor tarps are not provided.
Chairs are not provided.
You and your crew should bring everything you want inside your tent.

The cost is $300 per tent, which covers the rental. These are big tents with room for an athlete and a sizable crew, or for several athletes and their crews to share.

We currently have only six T-Rex tents available. If those fill and there’s enough additional interest, we’ll see whether we can bring in more.

Don’t need all 400 square feet for yourself? We encourage 100K and 100-mile athletes to team up and split the cost. The Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run Facebook Group is a great place to find other runners interested in sharing a prehistoric palace for the weekend.

To reserve a tent, email info@dinosaurvalleytrailrun.com. Reservations close September 15.

Tent fees are nonrefundable, but you may transfer a reservation to a different primary contact by emailing us.

Crew Resource Links

What to Pack? How Much to Bring? As a Crew Member, What to Do While I Wait?

These are common questions, and we're here to help! Check back as we get closer to race day for more great resource links, and sign up for our Crew Newsletter too!

Packing and How Much to Bring

You don't need the kitchen sink. Smart packing can reduce your time between loops.

Packing Video we have prepared to help you get organized and be efficient.
EVERYTHING I Pack to Run 100 Miles, by Chase the Summit - while this isn't for a looped course (so more drop bags), it's a nice extensive list and shows that it doesn't have to take up much space.
Ultra Marathon Essentials for an Out of Town Race, by Callie Vinson - keep it efficient and tidy especially if you are flying!

How to Crew

For both athletes and crews, working together makes for a smoother race.

10 Essential Tips for Crewing an Ultramarathon, by Kaz Williams at Mettle - we're big fans of their tip about bringing a towel or yoga mat for spreading out gear (and somewhere to sit while you wait)!

Activities for Crews and Spectators While They Wait

Athletes don't typically need crewing every 10.5 miles, and it is a lot of waiting in a field for all of the crews, so we suggest going into town or visiting some of the sites in the area!

Dinosaur Valley State Park - yes, actual dinosaur footprints can be seen at the park when you visit through the public entrance. There is no access from race parking. The only access from the race site is walking across a river which can be flowing too high or quickly to cross at times. Drive over and see the large model dinosaurs and visit the dino tracks!
Boutique and Antique Shopping - Shop the Square in Glen Rose.

Questions About Crewing?

Email us at info@dinosaurvalleytrailrun.com with any questions you have.