Autumn Harvest 50K • 20-Miler • 10-Miler • 5-Miler • Full • Half • 10K • 5K • Big Bastrop Backyard Ultra (Last Runner & Last Rucker Standing)

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

What's Not Included

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

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.