Friends of Government Canyon

01/25/2026

RAWRRR 🦖💥 IT’S ALMOST TIME TO RECHARGE… PREHISTORIC-STYLE!

Registration for the 13th Annual Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run - 2026 opens Sunday, February 1st at 6:00 AM, and trust us—you’ll want to set that alarm clock like a vigilant velociraptor. ⏰🦕

📅 Race Day: Saturday, November 7
📍 Location: the wildly beautiful trails of Government Canyon State Natural Area
🏃‍♀️ Distances: 15K & 8K trail goodness
👥 Cap: 300 runners ONLY (when it’s gone, it’s gone… extinction-level event)

This isn’t just a race—it’s a FUN-raiser! 🦕💚
The Recharge Run is the annual fundraiser for Friends of Government Canyon, and over the past 12 years, this community has raised over $75,000 to help protect, preserve, and maintain the second largest natural area in the state of Texas. That’s some mega-saur impact right there.

✨ Heads up, early birds:
An EARLY early-bird discount will be announced in the coming days—so keep those tiny T-rex arms crossed and your eyes peeled. 👀🐣

Expect prehistoric vibes, trail magic, big community energy, and the kind of race experience that makes you say, “Yep, I’m doing this every year.”

Let’s pack this race out, recharge the canyon, and run like dinosaurs might still be watching. 🦖🔥

300 spots. One epic cause.

Registration info👉🏼 https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/FriendsofGovernmentCanyon15K8KRechargeRun

01/15/2026

Expanded hours mean more hiking, exploring and fun!

Almost time! ⏰

Starting January 20th, Government Canyon will be rolling out with new hours of operation. That's more time to enjoy the great outdoors. See you here!

NEW HOURS ⤵️
Friday - Monday: 7AM-10PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 7AM-8PM

Camping will now be possible 7 days/week.

01/15/2026

Almost time! ⏰

Starting January 20th, Government Canyon will be rolling out with new hours of operation. That's more time to enjoy the great outdoors. See you here!

NEW HOURS ⤵️
Friday - Monday: 7AM-10PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 7AM-8PM

Camping will now be possible 7 days/week.

12/07/2025

Please join us in welcoming our new Assistant Superintendent at Government Canyon SNA!! If you see him around, please welcome him in person. Here is a quick note from Tyler.

"Hey everyone! Tyler Jackson here. I am super excited to be joining the team at Government Canyon and Region 3. I have been incredibly blessed during my time working for Texas State Parks to gain experience and memories that have helped me grow into the person I am meant to be. I started out as a summer intern at Huntsville State Park and have been able to move from Intern to Resource Specialist to Park Ops Trainee, all at Huntsville SP-culminating in this newest opportunity as Assistant Superintendent at Government Canyon SNA.

For a little about me, I am a graduate of Texas State University, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in public administration. I am a native of San Antonio- most of my life has been spent in San Antonio and just up the road in Boerne. Witnessing the wild Central/South Texas areas that I knew growing up slowly become urbanized is a large part of why I chose to work in conservation- so that I can do my part to ensure that the resources that mean the most to me, such as scenic hill country views and crystal-clear waters, will be there for future generations to enjoy and admire.

I am a lifelong avid outdoors enthusiast. I am at my happiest fishing, hunting, hiking, snow skiing, gardening, and working cows. I take great pride in cooking, baking, and barbequing and sharing what I make with others! I am engaged to a wonderful fiancé, Hannah, and we will be getting married a few months from now. We have a poodle-mix named Jade and a cat named Mr. Biscuits.

Again, I am so blessed for all the opportunities I have had in my career thus far and cannot wait to get to work with my new Government Canyon and R3 team! I look forward to getting to know everyone as I settle in and get the ball rolling after my move to San Antonio."

11/02/2025

🦖💚 Thank You, Recharge Runners! 💚🦕

What a day on the trails at Government Canyon State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife. Every single one of you who laced up and ran the Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run helped protect and preserve this incredible place we all love. Your race entry directly supports trail maintenance, educational programs, and the ongoing preservation of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone — making this not just a race, but a RunRaiser for the Canyon itself!

A mega-saur-sized THANK YOU to our volunteers who roared with love and energy at packet pickup, on the course, at the finish line, and everywhere in between. You are the heartbeat of this event and proof that trail love makes everything better. 💪🦕

And to our amazing sponsors — thank you for covering event expenses so that 100% of race proceeds could go right back to Government Canyon.

RACE RESULTS
15K - https://www.chuckscore.com/results/2025/11_01_2025_15k.htm
8K - https://www.chuckscore.com/results/2025/11_01_2025_8k.htm

RACE PHOTOS
Will be posted on our race registration page here in about 5-7 days
https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/TX/SanAntonio/FriendsofGovernmentCanyon15K8KRechargeRun

SAVE THE DATE
The 13th Annual Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run returns Saturday, November 7, 2026. We can’t wait to Dino-rock the trails with you again.

With Canyon gratitude and Dino love always,
💚 The Friends of Government Canyon Team

11/01/2025

3 legends! Another amazing Recharge Trail Run. Nic is always putting the Super in Superintendent. Kimberly Aubuchon and Lake go beyond to make every race amazing!!!!

11/01/2025

Thank you NISD, our favorite bus drivers and our parking angels this morning!

10/31/2025

🎃🦖 Happy Halloween, Recharge Runners! 🦕💚

Our dino buddy has one last spooky reminder before tomorrow’s Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run!

🍬 Trick or Treat Tip #1: Hydrate tonight! 💧 Water > Witch’s Brew. Keep your bottles and HydraPak cups ready — it’s a cupless race, so every drop counts out there on the trails!

😴 Trick or Treat Tip #2: Get a good night’s sleep! Even dinosaurs need their beauty rest before a big day of roaring through the canyon. 🦕🌄

🚍 Trick or Treat Tip #3: Parking for all runners will be at Folks Middle School (9855 Swayback Ranch). Shuttle buses will take you to and from Government Canyon State Natural Area — Packet pick up available at picnic pavilion (where bus drops you off)! Plan to arrive early to catch your bus and start race morning stress-free. 🚌✨

So grab a few pieces of candy (for energy, of course 🍫), tuck in early, and dream of dinos, dirt, and finish line glory. Tomorrow, we run wild!

10/30/2025

Looking for a few more dinosaurs, we mean humans, to help make the trail race extra special.

Thank you to everyone that has already signed up to volunteer to make this race Dino-mite. But we could use a few more people so if you are free this Saturday or have a friend that can come along we promise it will be a good time.

Open Volunteer Options
- 8k Water Stop
- 8k Course Marshal
- Finish Line Course Marshal
- Post Race Food/Drink Assistance
- Course Teardown

We can’t wait to see y’all this weekend and party prehistoric style. Rraaawwwwrrrrr! 🦖🦕

https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/TX/SanAntonio/FriendsofGovernmentCanyon15K8KRechargeRun

10/29/2025

🦖🐱 Happy National Cat Day 🐾

You know what they say—cats ruled the earth after dinosaurs went extinct… but judging by this photo, the dinos are still trying to reclaim their throne! 😹

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle your cats into doing anything together, you already have the skills needed to form a team or group for the Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run on Saturday, November 1, 2025! You can create a team/group during or after registration on RunSignUp. Biggest team gets a fun prize and prehistoric bragging rights! Whether you’re herding humans or felines, we promise it’s less chaotic than a dino-cat playdate.

💚 Run, volunteer, or both!
This annual fun-raiser helps preserve and protect Government Canyon State Natural Area—a place where ancient history, wild beauty, and modern trail runners all thrive.

Thanks to our amazing sponsors, every expense of the race is covered—so every single penny raised goes right back into keeping this Texas treasure healthy for millions more years (give or take a few cat naps).

So round up your pride—er, team—and join us for a roaring good time!

👉 Register or volunteer today:
https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/FriendsofGovernmentCanyon15K8KRechargeRun

10/28/2025

📬 YOU’VE GOT MAIL Howdy Recharge Runners — First Participant email hit in-boxes yesterday morning. It is below in case you registered after the fact or it went to your spam folder. Please check spam folders as mass emails love to end up there sometimes.
____________

🦕🦖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! Thank you for signing up and supporting one of Texas’ largest natural areas, and for helping us protect and preserve these trails for another 115,000 million years.

💚ABOUT OUR FUNDRAISER. This year marks the 12th Anniversary of the Recharge Run, the 20th Anniversary of Government Canyon, 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.

🏃🏃🏾‍♀️IN-PERSON RACE Saturday, November 1, 2025 @ 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 11:45pm. 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.

💧COURSE & AID STATION INFO - 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 (watermelon flavored), 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. Course markings will be orange.

8K Route has winding, runnable paths that flow 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. Course markings will be yellow.

All runners MUST clear courses by 11:30am.

📦PACKET PICKUP INFO:

PACKET PICKUP #1: Thursday, October 30th from 4pm-7pm @ iRun Texas - Broadway, 4001 Broadway, SATX 78209
PACKET PICKUP #2: Saturday, November 1st from 6:15-7:30am (morning of race), Government Canyon SNA, Picnic Pavilion (bus drop off area)

🦖DINO-MITE Picnic Pavilion 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.

🪨⭐️ROCKSTAR AWARDS & CEREMONY. In-person race will be chip timed by Chuck Score Timing, 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.

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

🙌THANK YOUR VOLUNTEERS & SPONSORS for supporting this race and taking the best care of our participants. Show them lots of love for being an advocate for Government Canyon State Natural Area and for our trail running community.

⚫️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. Pick up your packet or pay shipping top 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.

💛LIFE HAPPENS - DISTANCE CHANGES
If you need to make any last minute changes to your race distance (upgrade/downgrade) please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll get you taken care of before race day morning.

⚠️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 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.

10/26/2025

💧RUN TOGETHER, RECHARGE TOGETHER!💧

Grab your friends, family, coworkers, and trail buddies — it’s time to form your Recharge Run team for the Friends of Government Canyon Recharge Run on Saturday, November 1, 2025!

You can create a group/team right in your RunSignUp registration or log back into your account and add one later. Whether you’re running in-person through the Dino-filled trails of Government Canyon or joining virtually from your favorite park, this is your chance to run for a cause and support one of Texas’ most beautiful natural areas.

🦕 Team perks:
🏆 Biggest team wins a prehistoric fun prize
💸 Plus, earn a 50% off team discount for the 2026 Recharge Run!

While we don’t have room for pop-up tents this year, you can still show up with your crew in matching shirts, Dino hats, or whatever gets your team spirit roaring!

Let’s make this the biggest Recharge Run yet — sign up, form a team, and help us sell out this race in support of our trails and the Friends of Government Canyon! Use sponsor Alamo City Trail Runners code ACTR20 and save 20% on registration.

🔗https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/FriendsofGovernmentCanyon15K8KRechargeRun