"The runners carry nothing but miles. You carry the weight, and keep going anyway."
Beneath the Lost Pines, With a Ruck on Your Back
While trail runners chase glory on the main Last Standing course, a different kind of suffering takes place on the Loblolly Loop. Last Rucker Standing is a backyard-format rucking event held concurrently with the Autumn Harvest Last Standing ultra, same clock, same forest, different weight.
Every hour on the bell, you complete the 5.1 km Loblolly Loop with a weighted ruck on your back. Miss the bell, and your race is over. The last rucker still completing loops wins. Complete 20 loops and you've rucked 100 kilometers through the Lost Pines of Bastrop.
Race Details
| Date | October 10–11, 2026 |
| Location | Lake Bastrop South Shore Park · Bastrop, TX |
| Start Time | 7:00 AM Saturday, October 10 |
| Format | Backyard ultra (last person completing loops wins) |
| Loop Distance | 5.1 km (Loblolly Loop) |
| Max Duration | 32 hours |
| Field Size | 20 ruckers (capped) |
| Ruck Weight | 30 lbs minimum (men) · 20 lbs minimum (women) |
The Loblolly Loop
The Loblolly Loop winds through the Lost Pines of Bastrop, one of the most ecologically distinct forests in Texas, a survivor of wildfire and drought. At 5.1 km per loop, it rewards efficient movement and punishes complacency. Under a ruck, the roots and rollers become something else entirely.
The loop begins and ends at the Loblolly basecamp. All aid, drop bags, and crew access are at camp. You leave, you return, you do it again, or you don't.
Official Rules
Last Rucker Standing operates on the same universal clock as the Autumn Harvest Last Standing main event. The bell sounds at the top of every hour beginning at 7:00 AM Saturday. All ruckers must be back at the Loblolly basecamp and checked in before the next bell.
Rucks must meet minimum weight requirements: 30 lbs for men, 20 lbs for women. Ruck weight is verified at check-in and subject to random spot checks during the event. The ruck must remain on your back for the entirety of each loop. You may not carry weight by hand or in a separate pack.
Ruckers must be present at the Loblolly basecamp and depart on the bell. Late departure is not permitted. If you are not at the start line when the bell sounds, you are considered to have withdrawn from the event.
To count a loop, you must return to the basecamp check-in point before the next bell. A loop not completed in time does not count and results in elimination. There is no grace period.
A rucker is eliminated when they fail to complete a loop before the bell, voluntarily withdraw, or are removed by a race official for safety reasons. Eliminated ruckers must check out with race staff before leaving the course.
The Last Rucker Standing is the final rucker to complete a loop when all other ruckers have been eliminated. To claim the title, the winner must complete one additional victory loop after the last competitor is eliminated.
The event ends at the 32-hour mark regardless of how many ruckers remain. If more than one rucker survives to 32 hours, the winner is determined by lowest cumulative loop time across all completed loops. Every second on every loop counts.
Any rucker who completes 20 loops (102 km) is recognized as a 100K Rucker Finisher regardless of final placement. This designation is awarded at the completion of loop 20 and stands even if the rucker continues and is later eliminated.
Aid is available at the Loblolly basecamp only. Drop bags are permitted. Crew may access the basecamp but may not accompany ruckers on the loop. No outside assistance is permitted on the course.
Race officials have final authority on all decisions including ruck weight disputes, loop timing, and safety-related withdrawals. Their decisions are not subject to appeal.
Awards
The final rucker still completing loops. Winner's ruck weight is commemorated on the award.
Awarded to every rucker who completes 20 loops (102 km). Finisher recognition independent of placement.
FAQ
Yes. Minimums are floors, not targets. Whatever you choose to carry, it stays on your back for every loop.
Any standard rucksack with a frame or frameless design is permitted. Weighted vests do not qualify; the weight must be carried in a pack worn on the back. Race officials make final determinations on equipment disputes.
Yes. The format only requires you complete the loop before the bell. Pace is your choice.
No. The Loblolly Redemption is a consolation race for runners eliminated from the main Last Standing ultra; it cannot be registered for directly. Last Rucker Standing is a separate, directly-registered rucking category that runs concurrently on the same loop.
Yes. The Loblolly Loop is wide enough for all participants. Ruckers, Redemption runners, and occasional main-event runners all share the trail under standard trail etiquette. Faster movers have the right of way.
You may set it down at basecamp between loops. The only requirement is that the ruck is on your back when you depart on the bell and remains on your back for the full loop.
You must register for one category. Last Rucker Standing and the main Last Standing ultra are separate events with separate registration.
Registration
| Tier | Window | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | Through July 31 | $95 |
| Regular | Aug 1 – Sep 30 | $115 |
| Late | Oct 1 – Race Day | $135 |
Field limited to 20 ruckers. Registration closes when the field fills. Student/military discount (15% off) available; contact the race director before registration.