Austin's Backyard Marathon & Memorial Day Remembrance Run
- Date Sat 23rd May 2026
- Time 7:00AM CDT
- Location Leander, Texas
- Price $59.30 - $80.50
- Races 3 races
- Distances Marathon, Ultra, Half Marathon
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Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at Austin's Backyard Marathon & Memorial Day Remembrance Run on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the stunning Texas Hill Country, specifically in Leander, Travis. This unique endurance event invites runners to push their limits with the exhilarating Backyard Ultra format, where participants must complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour. Challenge yourself to go the distance, whether you aim for a half marathon (4 loops), marathon (7 loops), or even an ultra (8+ loops).
Nestled just 30 miles northwest of Austin, the picturesque course winds around a scenic peninsula on Lake Travis, offering breathtaking views and a diverse terrain that ranges from shaded forest paths to stunning shoreline vistas. This year’s event promises not only to test your physical endurance but also your mental fortitude as you adapt to the changing conditions from day to night. With fully stocked aid stations and a supportive atmosphere, this marathon is perfect for both serious competitors and casual runners looking to set personal challenges. Join us for this exciting day of camaraderie, competition, and commemoration!
Nestled just 30 miles northwest of Austin, the picturesque course winds around a scenic peninsula on Lake Travis, offering breathtaking views and a diverse terrain that ranges from shaded forest paths to stunning shoreline vistas. This year’s event promises not only to test your physical endurance but also your mental fortitude as you adapt to the changing conditions from day to night. With fully stocked aid stations and a supportive atmosphere, this marathon is perfect for both serious competitors and casual runners looking to set personal challenges. Join us for this exciting day of camaraderie, competition, and commemoration!
Organiser's Description
AUSTIN'S BACKYARD MARATHON
HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?
"So, the last shall be first, and the first last"
BRONZE TICKET QUALIFIER
[Runners on Lake Travis Hill Country trail]
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY PARADISE
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, our event takes place in Lago Vista, just 30 miles northwest of Austin. The course winds around a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis, offering stunning water views and the natural beauty of Central Texas. Experience the perfect blend of challenging terrain and breathtaking landscapes that will keep you motivated hour after hour.
Join us for the inaugural Austin's Backyard Marathon & Memorial Day Remembrance Run, a unique endurance event that allows you to push your limits in the beautiful Hill Country. This officially sanctioned Backyard Ultra is not just a race it's a test of mental fortitude, strategic pacing, and physical endurance that will challenge you in ways you've never experienced.
THE BACKYARD ULTRA FORMAT
LAST PERSON STANDING CHALLENGE
This is an officially sanctioned Backyard Ultra. Complete each 4.167-mile loop within 60 minutes to continue. A new loop starts at the top of each hour.
FOLLOWING OUR SUCCESSFUL 2025 INAUGURAL EVENT, WE ARE WORKING TOWARD BRONZE TICKET QUALIFYING STATUS FOR 2026. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ON OUR CERTIFICATION PROGRESS!
MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE RUN
SET YOUR OWN CHALLENGE FOR A MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE RUN
While the last runner standing wins the overall championship and qualifying spot, you're welcome to participate according to your own goals. Many runners choose to complete a specific number of loops rather than competing in the last-person-standing challenge.
You'll earn recognition based on your achievement: Complete 1 loop (4-miles) for a woodallion, 4 loops for half marathon medal, 7 loops for marathon medal, or 8+ loops for ultra medal. Simply notify race staff when you've reached your personal goal.
THE RULES FOR THE LAST RUNNER STANDING ARE SIMPLE
* The course is a 4.167-mile (6.706 km) 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
4 Loops
13.1 miles
MARATHON
7 Loops
26.2 miles
50K
8 Loops
31 miles
50 MILES
12 Loops
50 miles
100K
15 Loops
62 miles
100 MILES
24 Loops
100 miles
UNIQUE COURSE FEATURES
DAY COURSE (7 AM - 7 PM)
During daylight hours, runners will navigate the southern part of the park. This loop winds around a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis, through more densely wooded areas with water views. The southern course follows the natural contours of the lake, with numerous bends and turns that prevent monotony.
NIGHT COURSE (7 PM - 7 AM)
As darkness falls, the competition shifts to the northern section of the park. This nighttime challenge presents a completely different set of obstacles and terrain, forcing runners to adapt their strategies and pacing. This course switch adds a fascinating tactical element to the race, especially for those pushing well into the night hours.
"This variation in terrainfrom exposed shoreline paths to shaded forest sections, and from day to night routeswill provide crucial diversity over extended hours of running. The course change also gives runners a mental reset at the 12-hour mark, which can be psychologically significant in a format that tests mental endurance as much as physical stamina."
AWARDS
FINISHER MEDAL
Complete at least one loop
HALF MARATHON MEDAL
Complete 4 loops (13.1 miles)
MARATHON MEDAL
Complete 7 loops (26.2 miles)
ULTRA MEDAL
Complete 8+ loops (33.336+ miles)
LAST PERSON STANDING
Overall winner + Bronze Ticket
WHAT'S INCLUDED
EVENT ENTRY
Access to this unique endurance challenge in the Texas Hill Country
CUSTOM EVENT T-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
READY TO TEST YOUR LIMITS?
Join us for this unique endurance challenge in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. How many loops can you complete?
REGISTER NOW!
HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?
"So, the last shall be first, and the first last"
BRONZE TICKET QUALIFIER
[Runners on Lake Travis Hill Country trail]
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY PARADISE
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, our event takes place in Lago Vista, just 30 miles northwest of Austin. The course winds around a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis, offering stunning water views and the natural beauty of Central Texas. Experience the perfect blend of challenging terrain and breathtaking landscapes that will keep you motivated hour after hour.
Join us for the inaugural Austin's Backyard Marathon & Memorial Day Remembrance Run, a unique endurance event that allows you to push your limits in the beautiful Hill Country. This officially sanctioned Backyard Ultra is not just a race it's a test of mental fortitude, strategic pacing, and physical endurance that will challenge you in ways you've never experienced.
THE BACKYARD ULTRA FORMAT
LAST PERSON STANDING CHALLENGE
This is an officially sanctioned Backyard Ultra. Complete each 4.167-mile loop within 60 minutes to continue. A new loop starts at the top of each hour.
FOLLOWING OUR SUCCESSFUL 2025 INAUGURAL EVENT, WE ARE WORKING TOWARD BRONZE TICKET QUALIFYING STATUS FOR 2026. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ON OUR CERTIFICATION PROGRESS!
MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE RUN
SET YOUR OWN CHALLENGE FOR A MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE RUN
While the last runner standing wins the overall championship and qualifying spot, you're welcome to participate according to your own goals. Many runners choose to complete a specific number of loops rather than competing in the last-person-standing challenge.
You'll earn recognition based on your achievement: Complete 1 loop (4-miles) for a woodallion, 4 loops for half marathon medal, 7 loops for marathon medal, or 8+ loops for ultra medal. Simply notify race staff when you've reached your personal goal.
THE RULES FOR THE LAST RUNNER STANDING ARE SIMPLE
* The course is a 4.167-mile (6.706 km) 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
4 Loops
13.1 miles
MARATHON
7 Loops
26.2 miles
50K
8 Loops
31 miles
50 MILES
12 Loops
50 miles
100K
15 Loops
62 miles
100 MILES
24 Loops
100 miles
UNIQUE COURSE FEATURES
DAY COURSE (7 AM - 7 PM)
During daylight hours, runners will navigate the southern part of the park. This loop winds around a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis, through more densely wooded areas with water views. The southern course follows the natural contours of the lake, with numerous bends and turns that prevent monotony.
NIGHT COURSE (7 PM - 7 AM)
As darkness falls, the competition shifts to the northern section of the park. This nighttime challenge presents a completely different set of obstacles and terrain, forcing runners to adapt their strategies and pacing. This course switch adds a fascinating tactical element to the race, especially for those pushing well into the night hours.
"This variation in terrainfrom exposed shoreline paths to shaded forest sections, and from day to night routeswill provide crucial diversity over extended hours of running. The course change also gives runners a mental reset at the 12-hour mark, which can be psychologically significant in a format that tests mental endurance as much as physical stamina."
AWARDS
FINISHER MEDAL
Complete at least one loop
HALF MARATHON MEDAL
Complete 4 loops (13.1 miles)
MARATHON MEDAL
Complete 7 loops (26.2 miles)
ULTRA MEDAL
Complete 8+ loops (33.336+ miles)
LAST PERSON STANDING
Overall winner + Bronze Ticket
WHAT'S INCLUDED
EVENT ENTRY
Access to this unique endurance challenge in the Texas Hill Country
CUSTOM EVENT T-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
READY TO TEST YOUR LIMITS?
Join us for this unique endurance challenge in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. How many loops can you complete?
REGISTER NOW!
Races
-
Austin's Backyard Ultra
Incl. $5.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 23rd May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$80.50
run any distance 4.17 miles (1 loop) or more. Other race distance Equivalents: Half Marathon (13.1): Complete 4 loops Marathon (26.2): Complete 7 loops 50K (31 miles): Complete 8 loops 50 Miles: Complete 12 loops 100K (62 miles): Complete 15 loops 100 Miles: Complete 24 loops -
Memorial Day Remembrance Marathon
Incl. $4.90 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 23rd May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$69.90
-
Memorial Day Remembrance Half-Marathon
Incl. $4.30 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 23rd May 2026 (7:00AM CDT)
$59.30
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