Great Blue Heron Hustle 5K & 10K + Community Event
1st Annual Great Blue Heron Hustle 5K / 10K and 1-mile Fun Run
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Location: John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, 655 Martin Lane, Combine, TX 75159
Race Information
About the Event:
The Great Blue Heron Hustle is a scenic trail run through a reconstructed wetland of the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center. This community event supports environmental education, conservation, and habitat stewardship, while offering runners a unique opportunity to experience a manmade wetland on foot. The event will have food trucks, music, kid’s activities, and a community market with local food and craft vendors. The 5K and 10K are chip timed.
Course Information:
This course is considered a trail run due to the uneven trail conditions, gravel, and natural grade of the terrain. Trail weaves in between wetland cells, berms, and meadows. The 10K is two loops of the 5K course. The course is clearly marked with directional signage and distance markers. Hydration stations are 1.25 – 1.5 miles into the course and 0.75 before the completion of the 5K loop. Start and finish is located next to education silos.
Strollers and dogs are prohibited from participating in the race.
Race Options & Start Times:
- 10K Trail Run (chip timed) – 9:00 a.m.
- 5K Trail Run (chip timed) – 9:10 a.m.
- 1-Mile Fun Run (not timed) – 9:15 a.m.
Event ends at 2:00 p.m.
Registration Pricing:
| Pricing Type | 5K | 10K | Fun Mile (NOT CHIPPED, includes T-shirt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Pricing (reg. open until Feb. 28th) | $35 | $40 | $20 ___*Last day to guarantee T-shirt & finisher medals/swag bag |
| Regular Pricing (Mar 1-21) | $45 | $50 | $25 |
| Late Pricing (Mar 22-28, includes day-of) | $50 | $55 | $30 |
T-shirt Information:
T-shirt guaranteed for registrations received by the February 28th deadline. After 02/28/2026, T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sizes: Adult XS – Adult 2XL
Awards and Medals:
Overall Winners:
- Overall Male & Female – 5K
- Overall Male & Female – 10K
Age Group Awards (Male & Female):
- U14
- 15-19
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
Medals awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age bracket. Race awards will be presented at 10:45 a.m.
Results:
Printed Results will be handed to the race director for the awards ceremony. Complete results posted at close of race at chip2chipracetiming.com.
Runner Schedule at a Glance:
- 7:30 a.m. – Day-Of race registration opens (*no T-shirt guarantee)
- 7:30 a.m. – Check-in and packet pickup
- 9:00 a.m. – 10K Start
- 9:10 a.m. – 5K Start
- 9:15 a.m. – 1-Mile Fun Run
- 10:45 a.m. – Awards Begin (Rolling)
- 2:00 p.m. – Event Closes, breakdown and cleanup
Contact Information:
contact@wetlandcenter.com or call us at 972-474-9100.
Interested in Volunteering?
We need volunteers the week leading up to the event and especially on race day. Volunteer categories include pre-event prep, course preparation, site setup, volunteer check-in, registration, and packet pickup, course support, including safety, water station, vendor, and sponsor support, parking, and cleanup/breakdown. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Kayleigh Bucur at kbucur@wetlandcenter.com with the category that you’re most interested in.
