Oak Flats Picnic Trails

Oak Flats Picnic Trails is a trail run held in Tijeras, New Mexico, on September 12, 2026, with a single 30K format (18.6 miles) starting at 7:00 AM. The name places it at the Oak Flats area, just east of Albuquerque in the mountains above the city.

A 30K is a distance many runners overlook, and that is a shame: it is longer than a half marathon, shorter than a marathon, and a great way to test trail endurance before committing to an ultra. Tijeras sits well above 6,000 feet, so if you are traveling from lower elevation, run by effort and give yourself extra recovery. A 12-week build with one long trail run per week, some hill work and a couple of runs at similar altitude if you can manage it will set you up well. Bring your own hydration plan, since early-fall New Mexico is dry.