The Sendō Challenge isn’t just a list of race distances: it’s a pathway to total transformation. Whether you're chasing your first 5K or eyeing the brutal beauty of the Olympic triathlon, each milestone is a step deeper into who you can be.
It doesn’t matter if you walk, run, or roll through each race. You can do this.
The Sendō Challenge
Run a 5K (3.1 mi)
Run a 10K (6.2 mi)
Run a Half (13.1 mi)
Run a Marathon (26.2 mi)
Ride a Century (100 mi)
Finish a Sprint Triathlon
Finish an Olympic Triathlon
The Sendō Challenge exists as a middle path in modern fitness: ambitious, long-term training goals that are grounded in daily consistency. You train, you show up, you learn who you are under pressure. Then you keep going.
- Complete the distances in any order
- No time limits
- Official, timed races only
- You don’t have to race fast — you just have to finish
I grew up loving videogames, especially Pokémon, and a list of sequential training goals felt like a good thing that I could fixate on in real life. Not just living through a screen but putting in meaningful work to become physically and mentally stronger.
I've found that these goals helped me move forward, even if just a little bit. I think they can help you too. That strength, in turn, could help others. That's the real "Sendō Worldwide".
I'll finish The Sendō Challenge. You'll do it faster and better. So if you're looking for somewhere to start, something to believe in, anything to try: give this a shot.
See you in the Hall Of Fame.
I’m not just telling you about this manic list of demands: I’m doing it too.
It's dangerous to go alone: take this collection of free training programs, tools and other resources that we've developed over the years.
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Some of what you'll find in Research:
Train for your next race
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Build strength
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Learn about yoga
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Ride to change your life
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Partnered Races are independently organized running, cycling, and triathlon events that Sendō Worldwide recognizes as valid milestones within The Sendō Challenge. We don’t host or manage races. Instead, we point you toward established events that reflect the distance, difficulty, and spirit of the path.
You register directly with the race organizer, train on your own terms, and use the race as a real-world proving ground for the work you’ve put in.
5K
Many local turkey trots (5K, 10K) happen around late November, especially in Austin, Dallas, Houston and other metro areas.
Austin & Central Texas
- Run for Beer – St. Elmo Brewing (Austin) – Jan 24, 2026 (5K) RunGuides
- Cupid’s Chase 5K (Austin) – Feb 14, 2026 RunGuides
- Moose & Goose Wine Run 5K (Temple) – Feb 21, 2026 RunGuides
- St. Paddy’s Day Lucky Run 5K (Austin) – Mar 14, 2026 RunGuides
Statewide / Seasonal
- USA FIT Pflugerville 5K/10K – Jan 4, 2026 RunGuides
- Bigfoot Classic Series (various cities) – Early Jan 2026 (5K, 10K) Running in the USA
- MLK Freedom Run (Austin/Other cities) – Jan 17, 2026 (5K, 10K) getsetusa.com
10K
Austin / Central Texas
- Run for Beer 10K (Austin) – Jan 24, 2026 RunGuides
- Valentines Live, Love, Run 10K (various cities) – Feb 14, 2026 getsetusa.com
- St. Paddy’s Day Lucky Run 10K (Austin) – Mar 14, 2026 RunGuides
Statewide & Spring
- USA FIT Pflugerville 10K – Jan 4, 2026 RunGuides
- Bigfoot Classic 10K (various) – January 2026 Running in the USA
- MLK Freedom Run 10K (multi cities) – Jan 17, 2026 getsetusa.com
Half Marathon
Austin / Central Texas
- Austin Marathon Half – Feb 15, 2026 (same weekend as full marathon) RunGuides
- St. Paddy’s Day Lucky Run Half (Austin) – Mar 14, 2026 RunGuides
Other Notable Half Events
- New Year New Me Half (Austin / Dallas / Houston) – Jan 3, 2026 RunGuides
- MLK Freedom Run Half (multi cities) – Jan 17, 2026 getsetusa.com
- River Road Half Marathon (Comfort, TX) – Jan 10, 2026 Running in the USA
Marathon
Big City Classics
- Austin Marathon – Feb 15, 2026 (full, half, 5K) RunGuides
Other Marathon Options Near Texas
- McAllen Marathon – Jan 17, 2026 (5K, 10K, Half, and full) Running in the USA
- San Antonio Marathon Weekend (2025) – Dec 5–7, 2025 (inaugural event with 5K, half, and full) MySA
- Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth hosts a marathon, half, 10K, and 5K on a weekend (often late winter/early March; historic gaps suggest timing around late Feb/early Mar).
Trail Races
Multi-distance trail events recognized for endurance, terrain, and mental resilience. Distances vary by race and often range from short trail runs to ultramarathon efforts.
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Tejas Trails
- Hill Country, Central TX, East TX
- Year-round (peak: Oct–March)
Notable Races
- Bandera Trail Run – January (classic Texas trail race, very respected)
- Rocky Raccoon – February (flat, fast, endurance test)
- Habanero Hundred – August (brutal, legendary)
- Cactus Rose – November
- Wild Hare – December
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Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT)
- Statewide
- Mostly Fall–Winter
Notable Races
- TROT Dirt Circus – November
- Rattler Trail Race – February
- Dinosaur Valley Trail Run – March
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Reveille Peak Ranch Trail Races
- Burnet, TX
- Spring & Fall
- Often hosts 5K, 10K, Half, 30K+
- Technical granite terrain
- Excellent training grounds
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Pedernales Falls Trail Races
- Johnson City, TX
- Late Winter / Early Spring
- State park courses
- Rolling Hill Country trails
- Great entry-level trail option
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Big Bend Ultra / Trail Events
- West Texas
- January–February
- Desert terrain
- Big mental component
- Often 10K → 50K+
Century
Organized 100-mile cycling events recognized as endurance milestones. Riders register independently and complete the distance as part of their Sendō Challenge progression.
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Hotter’N Hell Hundred
- Wichita Falls, TX
- August
- One of the largest century rides in the world
- Brutal heat
- Massive cultural significance
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LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour
- Kingsland, TX
- April
- Scenic Hill Country
- Well-organized
- Multiple distances including full century
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Tour de Houston (Century Route)
- Houston, TX
- March
- Urban → rural mix
- Large turnout
- Beginner-friendly century
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MS 150 (Multiple TX Routes)
- Austin ↔ Houston, other routes
- April
- Charity-based
- 2-day century format
- Extremely popular
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Ride the River Century
- South Texas
- Spring
- Flat, fast
- Wind management challenge
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Tour de Dirt / Gravel Centuries
- Central & West TX
- Fall
- Mixed terrain
- Self-supported ethos
- Increasing popularity
Sprint Triathlons
Sprint triathlons in Texas tend to cluster in spring through early fall (March–September).
They vary by location:
- Tri Aggieland (Bryan/College Station) – spring/early summer (typical yearly timing) findarace.com (UK)
- Rockman Triathlon (Rockwall) – often spring through summer blocks findarace.com (UK)
- CaveMan Triathlon & Pioneer Power Sprint – commonly spring/summer series findarace.com (UK)
Exact dates shift yearly — check each race’s calendar.
Olympic Triathlons
- Texasman Triathlon (Valley View, TX) – April 26, 2026, includes Sprint & Olympic distances. TriSignup
Full-Distance Triathlons
This is the standout full-distance triathlon in Texas each year:
- Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas (The Woodlands) – April 18, 2026 (140.6 mi) trifind.com
There’s also an IRONMAN 70.3 Texas (half-Ironman), usually held in early April on Galveston Island — great mid-distance if you want an additional tier. Houston Chronicle
Each name in the Sendō Hall of Fame represents miles moved, challenges overcome, and a commitment to the long road of self-improvement.
How Do You Get In?
To be inducted, you must:
- Finish all seven Challenge race distances, officially timed and verified.
- We only accept results from sanctioned races. Apologies if you've PR'd at your friend's backyard ultra but there's too many folks getting sneaky on Strava.
- You can submit your results via Strava links or exports from your training watch (e.g. Garmin, Coros, G-Shock). Whatever format makes sense for you.
Hall of Fame Honors
The Hall of Fame exists to recognize completion, commitment, and character.
Every inductee receives:
- Your name (initials or pseudonym) and race results added to the Hall of Fame
- An optional profile page with your journey, highlights, photos, and race stats. Select inductees may be invited to share their journey through an interview and written profile
- Inductees also receive a digital Hall of Fame badge for personal use
- Hall of Fame inductees receive early access to future Sendō projects
These brave souls will also get an exclusive Gift Pack delivered right to their doorsteps. No one else on the planet will ever have these items.
- A Sendō Hall of Fame medal, housed in a permanent display case
- Sendō Hall of Fame performance t-shirt
- Sendō Hall of Fame cycling jersey
- Sendō Hall of Fame bamboo fiber running towel
Each pack is individually assembled and shipped in a keepsake box designed to last.
If you like what we’re building, you can support Sendō Worldwide as a Patron (individuals) or Sponsor (organizations). Your support pays for training resources, entertainment and community for people around the world.
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