Cycling & running events in Waco, 2026

Waco Base Miles And Gravel

Running: Locals get easy rhythm on the Waco Riverwalk, and the paved path runs 7 miles along the Brazos River. Cameron Park gives trail runners over 20 miles when Z2 turns into roots, switchbacks, and rock gardens. The park has a 25-mile loop handy for short intervals. Waco Striders Running Club keeps the week honest with a Monday 6:00 pm 3-mile run at Woodway Park Road 2 and a Wednesday 6:00 pm 4-mile run from Redwood Shelter in Cameron Park. Saturday runs start there too. The Best 5K on the Brazos and Waco Police Memorial Run are easy anchor races.

Cycling: Waco is a gravel goldmine, and locals mean that pretty plainly. Cameron Park gives riders 20 miles of singletrack along the Brazos and Bosque Rivers, with beginner to expert lines when a gravel bike gets rowdy. Reynolds Creek Park opens 10 miles of fairly level Lake Waco singletrack for calmer laps. Wild West Century Bike Ride routes cover 6, 26, 43, 62, and 100 miles. The 43 Mile Route climbs over 800 feet, the 62 Mile Route climbs about 1,400 feet, and the 100 Mile Route climbs about 2,200 feet. Gravel Locos, Bear Downs, and Tri Waco keep the calendar sharp.

Season: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, and December are the good training months. Summer in Waco changes the rules because peak months rarely drop below 95°F, and 100 plus degree days can show up as early as June and as late as October. Locals move runs and rides early, keep intervals short, and save base miles for smarter weather. Winter gives runners and cyclists plenty of usable days because January and February can average in the 60s or 70s. Lows can fall into the teens or low 20s, so mornings need layers before the sun gets useful.