The Trinity River Hop takes place on the Trinity Trails \u2014 Fort Worth’s crown jewel trail network running along the Trinity River \u2014 starting and finishing at Gateway Park’s Fort Woof parking lot. The 5K course completes one loop while the 10K runs two, taking runners past the Gateway Circle, around the soccer fields, and out onto the Trinity Trails toward the Randoll Mill Pedestrian Bridge. The 2026 edition is the first to include a half marathon and full marathon option, using the same trail network and expanding through more of the river corridor’s scenic stretches.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Trinity River Hop takes place Saturday, April 4, 2026. Packet pickup opens at 6:30 AM at the race site. The 5K and 10K start at 8:30 AM. Half marathon and full marathon start times are to be confirmed for the 2026 expansion. The surface is mostly concrete and asphalt on the paved Trinity Trails network. The Fort Woof Dog Park is adjacent to the start\/finish area \u2014 this is a runner-friendly, family-friendly event at a beloved community park. 10K runners should be prepared to complete the course before 11:00 AM when course breakdown begins.<\/p>\n
The Trinity Trails is one of Fort Worth’s most prized public amenities \u2014 a network of paved and unpaved paths running alongside the Trinity River’s branches through the heart of the city and into the suburbs. Gateway Park, where the race starts, is a 136-acre riverside park that also hosts mountain biking trails, sports fields, and the Fort Woof Dog Park. Running the Trinity Trails on a closed-to-traffic Easter Saturday morning, with Fort Worth waking up around you, offers a uniquely local experience that draws participants from across the Metroplex.<\/p>\n
The Trinity River Hop is a community favorite precisely because it isn’t trying to be anything other than a great local race on great local trails. The Easter weekend timing, the Fort Woof Dog Park adjacency (dog-friendly atmosphere), and the family-friendly format make it ideal for groups of all ages and abilities. The expansion to half and full marathon distances in 2026 opens the race to more serious runners while maintaining the welcoming community spirit that has made the shorter distances popular. April in Fort Worth delivers warm but manageable running weather before the Texas summer heat arrives.<\/p>\n