Events
Big Bastrop Backyard Ultra (Last Runner Standing)
Big Bastrop Backyard Ultra (Last Rucker Standing)
Autumn Harvest 50K
Autumn Harvest 20-Miler
Autumn Harvest 10-Miler
Autumn Harvest 5-Miler
Autumn Harvest Marathon
Autumn Harvest Half-Marathon
Autumn Harvest 10K
Harvest 5K Run
Autumn Harvest Trail Weekend
Lake Bastrop, Texas • October 10-11, 2026
Experience the magic of autumn trail running
An Enchanting Fall Adventure
Join us for an unforgettable autumn trail weekend. Experience the beauty of fall running as seasonal colors transform the landscape and Lake Bastrop's calm waters create a stunning natural backdrop.
Whether you're chasing your first 50K, a marathon PR, or a fun family 5K, you'll journey along winding lakeside trails, under open skies, and through towering pines in one of Central Texas' most picturesque settings. Crisp fall air, fast dirt trails, and the energy of fellow runners make this a truly unique endurance experience.
Two days. Eight distances. One unforgettable weekend.
Saturday, October 10
The Ultra & Distance Day
The Big Bastrop Backyard Ultra
You'll never know how far you'll go... until you show.
The Official 'Last Standing' Event of the Autumn Harvest Trail Weekend and part of the Texas Backyard Ultra Series
Start: 7:00 AM | Distance: 4.167-mile loop, up to 24 loops (~100 miles) Format: Last Person Standing with cumulative time tiebreaker. Field Cap: 70 runners. One loop. One hour. Last runner standing wins. Are you in?
The 7:00 AM start means you'll run the Gideon Loop starting from the Basecamp, through one full day, one full night, and into a second morning. Sunset falls around 7:15 PM, approximately 12 hours and 2 loops into the race. Runners must have mandatory night gear ready before the 7:00 PM loop.
If you're the last runner standing, you'll complete a victory lap to claim the win. If multiple runners survive to the cut-off, the lowest cumulative time wins, and yes, they still have to complete a victory lap.
How many loops are in your software? Come find out. You can achieve this just by showing up and taking it one loop at a time:
1 Loop: 4.16 miles (A great trail run)
2 Loops: 8.33 miles (A major personal milestone)
3 Loops: 12.5 miles (Essentially a Trail Half Marathon)
4 Loops: 16.6 miles (Uncharted territory)
You don't need to be fast. You just have to move 4.167 miles in 60 minutes. That is a highly achievable 14:23-per-mile pace.
You can briskly walk the uphills, jog the flats, and still make it back to the starting corral with 5 to 10 minutes to spare to sit in a lawn chair, eat a snack, and hang out.
It's not a speed race. It's a pacing game.
Run until you can't. Then run one more.
Important Race Format Note: The Big Bastrop Backyard Ultra begins promptly at 7:00 AM and features a baseline 32-hour time limit for all competitors. However, the race director maintains total operational flexibility to extend the race hour by hour based on real-time environmental and weather conditions.
The Texas Backyard Series Pass Options
Want the ultimate circuit experience? Choose a Bundle during checkout to unlock exclusive contender privileges:
- Mailed Legacy Bib: Your permanent number for the entire season, shipped straight to your door. Zero race-day lines (Must be registered at least 3 weeks before the first race day for guaranteed delivery).
- Priority Crew Pit Setup: Premium space allocation closest to the starting corral at all venues.
- Injury Deferral Insurance: Clean, hassle-free single-race transfers if your training block gets sidelined.
A backyard ultra is won at the rest chair, not the starting line. Click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, training plans, pacing strategy, and the mental playbook for the bell. Every Wednesday, straight to your inbox.
Course: 1× Gideon Loop via Swift Trail . Aid stations every 2.1 miles, full support at start/finish.
The Loblolly Redemption
Mini Backyard Ultra
When you fail to complete your loop on the Autumn Harvest Last Standing main course (Gideon Loop), your race isn't over. It's different. Walk to the basecamp, lace up, and start running the 5.1 km Loblolly Loop on the next hourly bell. Same format. Smaller loop. New field. Last person standing wins.
You can't register for the Redemption. You can only be sent there. See below for more details.
Last Rucker Standing
Autumn Harvest 50K
Start: 8:00 AM | Cutoff: 10 hours
The premier event. Three full out-and-backs on the scenic North-South Trailway plus a Southshore finishing spur. Aid stations every 2.5 miles. Drop bag access at start/finish every 10 miles. For experienced trail runners and first-time ultra athletes with solid training bases.
Autumn Harvest 20-Miler
Start: 8:00 AM | Distance: 20 miles
Two full out-and-backs on the North-South Trailway. Perfect marathon long-run training or a serious trail challenge in its own right. Aid stations every 2.5 miles.
Autumn Harvest 10-Miler
Start: 8:00 AM | Distance: 10 miles
One full out-and-back on the North-South Trailway, the signature trail experience in a single lap. The sweet spot distance between a 10K and a half marathon.
Autumn Harvest 5-Miler
Start: 8:15 AM | Distance: 5 miles
The gateway to trail running. Out-and-back on the first 2.5 miles of the North-South Trailway. Challenging enough to feel like a real effort, welcoming enough for first-time trail runners.
Sunday, October 11
The Marathon & Community Day
Autumn Harvest Marathon
Start: 9:00 AM | Cutoff: 9 hours
Central Texas trail marathon running at its finest. Start with two laps on the scenic North-South Trailway, then finish strong with two laps of Gideon Loop via Swift Trail. Experience Lake Bastrop's iconic lakeside trail alongside the quiet beauty of the forest.
Course: 2× North-South full looped laps + 2× Gideon Loop via Swift Trail . Aid stations every 2.5 miles, full support at start/finish.
Autumn Harvest Half Marathon
Start: 9:00 AM
A generous half-marathon-plus on Lake Bastrop's most scenic trails. Start with one full looped lap on the North-South Trailway, then head out to Gideon Loop via Swift Trail before returning to the finish. Two distinct trail experiences in one unforgettable journey.
Course: 1× North-South full loop + Gideon Loop via Swift Trail
Autumn Harvest 10K
Start: 9:15 AM
A unique trail 10K showcasing scenic sections of Lake Bastrop's trail system. Start with the full Gideon Loop via Swift Trail, return to the start area, then head back out for the Loblolly Loop before a short finish to bring you home. More trail variety per mile than any other event in the weekend.
Course: Gideon Loop via Swift Trail + Loblolly Loop via Swift Trail
Autumn Harvest 5K
Start: 9:15 AM
The perfect trail introduction. Short, out-and-back. Bring the kids, bring your running buddies, bring someone who's never run a race before.
The Course
Scenic Trails
All events traverse the trails of Lake Bastrop, primarily the North-South Trailway that connects Lake Bastrop North Shore and South Shore Parks. The course features rolling terrain with moderate elevation changes and a dynamic mix of single-track and wider trail sections.
Towering loblolly pines, shade much of the course. Lakeside stretches provide stunning water views, while interior sections wind through peaceful forest. Vibrant autumn colors enhance the beauty of this unforgettable trail adventure.
Course Highlights
- Terrain: Rolling with moderate elevation changes
- Trail Type: Mix of single-track and wider trails
- Views: Lake Bastrop overlooks and Lost Pines
- Scenery: Fall foliage and autumn-transformed landscapes
- Aid Stations: Every 2.5 miles on long-distance events
- Safety: Well-marked with high-visibility trail markers
Every Registration Includes
Race Shirt
Guaranteed if registered by Sep 15
Fully Stocked Aid Stations
Water, electrolytes, fuel, ice
Race Photography
Free digital downloads
What's Not Included
Overnight lodging
Crew fees (crews must purchase day-use park pass)
Event Logistics
Packet Pickup
Friday Evening: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Saturday Morning: 6:00 AM - 6:45 AM
Sunday Morning: 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Location: Lake Bastrop South Shore Park Pavilion
Spectator Information – Autumn Harvest Marathon
We’re excited to welcome your friends and family to cheer you on at the Autumn Harvest Run!
Please note: Lake Bastrop North Shore and South Shore Parks require a park entry fee for all non-registered spectators and support crews.
Park Entry Fee
Required for all spectators entering Lake Bastrop parks. Passes can be purchased online in advance through our race store.
➡ Click here to purchase a Spectator Park Entry Pass
We encourage spectators to plan ahead to help ensure smooth entry on race day.
Thank you for helping us create a great race experience for everyone!
Parking & Directions
Start/Finish Area: Lake Bastrop South Shore Park
Free parking available at the event venue. Arrive at least 45 minutes before your start time.
Race Guide will be emailed one week before the event.
Weather & Contingency
October in Bastrop typically brings pleasant temperatures (highs 80-85°F, lows 60s). Runners should prepare for a range of conditions.
In case of severe weather, the event may be:
- Moved to an earlier or later start time
- Postponed to the following weekend
- Modified to shortened course distances
A decision will be made 24 hours before the scheduled start and communicated via email and social media.
Refund & Transfer Policy
- No refunds; transfers at race director's discretion
- Weather Cancellation: Runners receive credit toward any race of the same distance on our event calendar.
Experience the Magic of Autumn Trail Running
Join us for this enchanting fall weekend on the trails of Lake Bastrop. Eight distances. Two days. One unforgettable experience.
Organized in partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park.
Proceeds support HKRS Cedar Park youth running programs.
Backyard Ultra: Official Race Rules
Backyard Ultra is a unique format of endurance running. It is not a race for a set distance, nor a race for a set time. The objective is for each runner to cover the maximum distance possible for their level of ability. There is only one winner, the runner who covers the greatest total distance, but every participant plays a role in the outcome, and many runners will achieve distances they never thought possible along the way.
1. Starting Corral
- All runners must be inside the corral before the starting bell.
2. Starting Each Yard
- Each "Yard" (one loop of the course) begins exactly one hour after the previous Yard started.
- Runners will receive warnings at 3 minutes, 2 minutes, and 1 minute before the starting bell.
- All runners must start at the bell. Late starts are not permitted. If you are not in the corral at the bell, your race is over.
3. During a Yard
- Once a Yard begins, runners may not leave the course except for restroom breaks.
- No non-competitors, including runners who have already been eliminated, may accompany an active runner on the course.
- No personal aid (food, water, pacing, coaching, etc.) is allowed while a Yard is in progress.
- Each Yard must be completed in under one hour to count. Any runner who does not finish the loop within the hour is eliminated.
- No artificial aids of any kind are permitted, including trekking poles.
- Faster runners have the right of way. Slower runners must yield and allow themselves to be passed.
4. Timing
- Keeping individual lap times is optional and left to each runner's discretion.
5. Winner and Results
- The winner is the last runner remaining who successfully completes one more Yard than every other competitor.
- All other runners, including the second-place finisher, are officially recorded as DNF (Did Not Finish).
- Final results will list every runner's total number of Yards completed.
- If the field cannot produce a runner who completes one more Yard than all others (for example, if the last two runners both stop at the same point), no winner will be declared for that edition of the race.
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Lake Bastrop South Shore Park
375 South Shore Rd.
Bastrop, TX 78602 US
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