The Active Joe

I'm so excited to announce we are partnering with the Trail Mix Fund @trailmixfund . They fundraise to provide free race entries for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC athletes who can't afford race entry fees! If this is you, please visit to apply. We’re working together to bring more diversity to race start lines, and we’re starting with Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run as the first race outside of the Pacific Northwest!! You can also help!! When you register for Dino Valley, you have the opportunity to add a small donation toward the fund. Money will go straight into the Trail Mix Fund to continue providing this support to groups still underrepresented in our trail community! Everyone deserves a safe and welcoming space in our sport, and we’re inviting you all to join us November 18 and 19! #dinovalley100 #ultrarunning #trailrunning

We are so absolutely tickled that UltraRunning Magazine @ultrarunningmag chose to include a story by Jenny Thorsen about our Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run event, and then they further chose to make it their cover as well!!! The article is titled ”The Power of Inclusion.” It talks about the @dirtbagsrun Dirtbags Run Team, a team of BIPOC athletes who are part of @dirtbagrunners Dirtbag Runners, who all journeyed to Glen Rose, Texas for our event! The article touches on all those small moments in event production that put us at the forefront of making sure marginalized groups feel safe, welcomed, and encouraged to come race with us! From our transgender entrant athlete policy to our non-binary entrant athlete policy to being a @trail_sisters Trail Sisters-approved race with menstrual kits at the aid stations to our land acknowledgment as part of the Running on Native Lands movement with Rising Hearts @rising_hearts to making an important note during the pre-race trail briefing to working with this team to bring them to the Dallas area… and more! Please share this far and wide and help us continue to grow this race!! Tag a friend you think should come run this!! Our grassroots event depends on word of mouth! All distances from 5 Miles to 100 Miles are affordable, but with a $130 100M and $120 100K, those are a remarkable deal. At 25% full more than 8 months away, it will sell out. Link to the website where you can then register on @ultrasignup is on our bio! #dinovalley100 #trailrunning #ultrarunning #dallasrunning #dfwrunning

Dino Valley Endurance Run brings you lovely fall temperatures with an average low of 40 degrees and an average high of 69! Start planning and dreaming of a November race finish now by signing up for any of our distances from 5 miles to 100 miles! Registration is open, and entry fees won't get lower than what they are now! Link in our bio! 📸: Pic 1 and 2 by Maria Vargas @iavargas , Pic 3 and 4 by John Knepper @john_knepper

Through the night during this ultramarathon, athletes SHINE BRIGHT as they keep moving to the finish line. Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run has many distances, including 100K and 100M. We have generous cutoffs. Athletes run and hike through the night. pushing through, and achieve their dreams! They can also earn a Western States qualifier: 22 hours to finish the 100K, and 35 hours to finish 100 miles. What a way to spend a Saturday night! 📸: Our amazing team of Dino Valley photographers: Jennifer Thorsen @luoyunghwa , John Knepper @john_knepper , Misty Herron @misty.dawns

Our gear isn’t built for one type of runner. Because there isn’t just one. 11 sizes. No labels. No assumptions. Just something that fits you, exactly as you are. 📸: John Knepper @john_knepper (pics 1,3), Phil Salmeron @philsalmeronphoto (pics 2,4)

A lot can happen in 10 years 🦖 Thousands of runners. Countless miles. Sunrises, buckle finishes, campfire stories, and runners discovering they’re capable of more than they thought. This year, we’re celebrating the 10th running of Dino Valley Endurance Run and your registration includes more than just a race entry. ✔️ Incredible trails through Dinosaur Valley State Park ✔️ Free professional race photos ✔️ Aid stations that actually feel like a community ✔️ A full weekend experience ✔️ Western States qualifying opportunities in the 100K + 100M ✔️ Finish line memories you’ll still be talking about next year Year 10 is going to be special 🦖🔥 Come join us.

There’s no ONE way to be a runner. Not one specific piece of gear. Not one body type. Not one reason for lacing up . Just people showing up nervous, excited, unsure… and doing it anyway. If you’ve ever wondered if you belong at the start line, we assure you... You do.

We know you’re ready for Cross Timbers. Trust us, we are too. Right now, all events on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land at Lake Texoma are on hold while they update their permitting process. That includes us and a lot more. A quick reminder of the scale they manage: • 400+ lake and river projects across 43 states • 41,000+ miles of shoreline • 7,800+ miles of trails We’re just one small part of something much bigger. As soon as we have a date, you’ll hear it here first. 📸: Hayden Lamora

“I didn’t think I could do it… but I did.” That’s the kind of story we hear again and again. Not about perfect races or speedy times. Just people showing up, pushing through, and surprising themselves. That’s what The Active Joe is all about. 👉 Swipe to see some past athlete quotes and then come see what you’re capable of. 📸: Our amazing team of Dino Valley photographers: Jennifer Thorsen @luoyunghwa , John Knepper @john_knepper , Misty Herron @misty.dawns

Ive been busy over winter banking treadmill miles to get ready for Western States 100 - originally a 100 mile horse race - in June with @theactivejoe . I’ve read one year a horse came up lame and the rider - Gordon Ainsley- still wanted to participate so he just ran the course himself … and then the Western States 100 endurance run was born as one of the first 100 mile ultramarathons in North America. It was horses who showed us first that 100 miles was possible. In between my training, three new foals arrived in the last week on the farm and spring work is firing up as the grass gets green and the orchard is budding. I brought Belle and her new foal to the front pasture and after 10 miles of gravel today, I ran up the driveway to this beautiful view. I’ll enjoy less treadmills miles now that spring is here and instead finishing runs with these sights for the next few weeks. When I run, I’m much more draft horse than thoroughbred, so I’ll be visualizing a strong American Brabant draft horse like these mares when I climb the escarpment in California in June on race day. Some horses are “more Go than Woah” … that’s what I’m training for and have less than two months left now to get chomping at the bit. @wser

You don’t always see it while you’re deep in it, slogging through the miles. You don't see: -early morning runs before work -long runs in the rain -moments where you almost talked yourself out of your goal But then you get a photo like this and it just clicks. That’s you. Doing something hard. Becoming someone stronger. At Dinosaur Valley, every runner gets professional race photos, because these moments deserve to be remembered. 👉🏻Come and get your pic this fall. Link in bio to register 👏🏼 📸 @luoyunghwa

Still riding the high from Monkey Butt this weekend? Take a little piece of that energy with you. New limited small production item!! Our Active Joe Trucker Hats by BOCO are now available and they are built for long runs, hot days, and everything in between. Whether you were out there grinding miles, cheering from the sidelines, or just part of the vibe… this one’s for you. Grab yours before they’re gone. Link in our bio! #TheActiveJoe #MonkeyButtMayhem #TrailRunning