Events
Answer the Bell
Place
Marble Falls, TX US 78654
Description
AUSTIN'S BACKYARD MARATHON
How Far Will You Go?
"So, the last shall be first, and the first last"
Texas Hill Country Wild
Our event takes place at Turkey Bend LCRA Recreation Area near Lago Vista and Marble Falls, Texas. The course traces a peninsula along the Colorado River, winding through open meadows, wildflower fields, and shaded Hill Country woodland. Expansive views. Rolling terrain. Wildflower invasions in spring. A landscape that earns every mile you put into it.
Join us for Austin's Backyard Marathon & Memorial Day Remembrance Run, a race weekend built around endurance, community, and remembrance. Whether you're chasing the Bronze Ticket, your first marathon, or running to honor someone, you'll find your distance and your reason at Turkey Bend.
The Backyard Ultra Format
Last Person Standing Challenge
This is an officially sanctioned Backyard Ultra. One 4.2-mile loop. One hour to complete it. A new loop starts at the top of every hour. Miss the cutoff, you're out. Last runner remaining wins.
No Day Loop. No Night Loop. One unified course that all runners follow, through full sun, through dusk, through the long midnight hours, into Sunday's dawn if you make it that far.
The course is anchored by a central start/finish corral located near the park's main camping clusters. This is home base, where crews refuel runners and runners reset between yards. Where the race is won and lost not in the running, but in those few minutes between hours.
The trail itself is a 4.2-mile out-and-back along the Turkey Bend peninsula with a tight finishing lollipop. Wildflower meadows, lakeside views, and Hill Country woodland in alternating sections. Reflective markers guide runners through the nighttime hours. The course rewards a steady, efficient pace and a calm mind. One more hour at a time.
Saturday — Marathon & Half Marathon
Run the same unified course as the Backyard Ultra athletes. Same trail. Same wildflower-lined Hill Country views. Half the chaos, all of the experience.
Marathon (26.2 miles): Seven loops total — six 4.2-mile main loops plus one 1-mile finishing loop.
Half Marathon (13.1 miles): Four loops total — three 4.2-mile main loops plus one 1-mile finishing loop.
You'll share the trail with Bronze Ticket hopefuls. Some of them will still be on course when you finish. That's part of the magic of race weekend at Turkey Bend.
The Memorial Day Remembrance Run is a chance to cover ground with purpose. Run in honor of someone. Run, ruck, or walk in their memory. Run because you can, and they cannot.
A brief moment of silence and reflection will occur at the start line to honor the purpose of the weekend.
If you share the trail with a backyard ultra runner, give them room. Cheer for them. They may be out here a long time.
The Rules for the Last Runner Standing
- The course is a 4.2-mile unified loop
- A new loop starts at the top of each hour
- Participants must complete each loop within the hour to continue
- Runners are eliminated if they fail to complete a loop in time or choose not to start the next loop
- The last person to complete a loop is declared the overall winner
Race Distance Equivalents
Half Marathon
13.1 miles
Marathon
26.2 miles
50K
31.4 miles
50 Miles
50.4 miles
100K
62.8 miles
100 Miles
100.8 miles
Awards
Finisher Woodallion
Complete at least one loop
Half Marathon Medal
Complete 13.1 miles
Marathon Medal
Complete 26.2 miles
Ultra Medal
Complete 8+ loops (31+ miles)
Last Person Standing
Overall winner award
What's Included
Event Entry
Access to this unique endurance challenge in the Texas Hill Country
Custom Event Shirt
Commemorative shirt to remember your achievement
Finisher's Medal
Earn a medal by completing at least one loop
Aid Station Support
Fully stocked aid stations to keep you going hour after hour
Who Will Be The Last Person Standing?
How many loops can you complete? Ready to Test Your Limits?
One loop. One hour. One more hour. Join us at Turkey Bend for a race weekend you won't forget.
Race Participant Setup
Tent and Crew Area Setup
Park opens from 6:30 AM
Tent Setup Time: From 7:00 AM on the day of the event
Designated Area: Near campsites 20 - 24
Important Restrictions:
- Maximum of 1 tent per participant/crew
- Maximum of 1 table per participant/crew
Please be considerate of space limitations and other participants.
Course Terrain Details
Terrain Characteristics:
- Mixed trail, paved surfaces
- Some technical sections
Recommended Gear List for the Austin’s Backyard Ultra Athlete
Lighting Gear
Mandatory for Night Loops
The day-to-night switch happens at 8:00 PM and the sun sets around 8:20 PM. Runners must have all lighting ready before heading out for Yard 14.
| Primary Headlamp
Minimum 200+ lumens recommended for navigating the interior "Spine" trails. |
| Backup Light Source
A secondary headlamp or powerful handheld torch. Phone flashlights are not sufficient for trail safety. |
| Spare Batteries / Charging
Rechargeable? Bring a power bank to your corral space. Disposable? A full spare set is mandatory. |
| ⭐ Rear Red Blinker HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Helps timing staff and fellow runners track positions from behind in the woods. |
Hydration & Cooling
The "Texas May" Protocol
With 70% humidity, sweat won't evaporate efficiently. You need to manage core temperature proactively — not reactively.
| Minimum Carry: 20 oz (≈ 600 ml)
Required on every loop. The loop is 4.167 miles, but the May heat index can make a 50-minute yard feel significantly longer. |
| Electrolytes MANDATORY 4+ YARDS
Sodium and potassium replenishment is critical during the Texas "muggy" season for any runner planning beyond 4 yards. |
| ⭐ Ice Bandanas / Buffs HIGHLY SUGGESTED
Essential for the 11 AM – 5 PM yards. Keeping ice on the carotid arteries is the most effective way to prevent a DNF due to overheating. |
| Reusable Cup
Please bring one to help us reduce waste at the main aid station. |
Footwear & Apparel
| Trail Shoes
Recommended for the Day Loop (Perimeter) due to rocky and root-covered sections. |
| Road / Hybrid Shoes
A great swap option for the Night Loop (Spine) — gives your feet a different pressure-point profile and a mental reset. |
| Anti-Chafe
High humidity creates hot spots fast. Re-apply every 3–4 yards to stay ahead of trouble. |
| ⭐ The "Finish Line" Layer PRO TIP
Keep a lightweight windbreaker or hoodie in your corral. Even on a 70°F night, your core temp will drop fast the moment you stop moving. |
Course Map (Main Loop)
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Sign InCourse Map (Short Mile Loop)
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Sign InAustin's Backyard Marathon Strategy Guide
Need help planning your race strategy? Visit https://fitfoundation.org/austins-backyard-races for our interactive Backyard Marathon Strategy Guide and find the perfect race plan for your Memorial Day's weekend adventure!
Custom Medal
Custom Challenge Coins/Medals for all Finishers
Commemorate your achievement with a premium custom-designed medal featuring Lake Travis. These coins are part of the Race Austin Series: Collector's Challenge, which allows you to exchange three same-tier coins from different Fit Foundation races for a complimentary race entry of the same tier.
🛡️ THE GLADIATOR AWARD
The Gladiator Award is reserved for athletes who complete 100 miles in under 24 hours on the official course.
To earn it, runners must:
- Complete 100 miles
- Finish in under 24 hours
- Follow all race rules
- Run without pacers unless explicitly allowed
There are no rollovers and no partial credit.
You either earn the Gladiator Award, or you don’t.
Few attempt it. Fewer finish it. One becomes a Gladiator.
Health Impact Rating
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://fitfoundation.org.
RaceDay Photos
Directions
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