Austin's Backyard Marathon
- Date Sat 24th May 2025 - Sun 25th May 2025
- Time 7:00AM CDT
- Location Leander, Texas
- Price $96.40
- Races 1 race
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating experience at Austin's Backyard Marathon, happening from May 24th to May 25th, 2025, in the picturesque setting of Leander, Travis County, just 30 miles northwest of Austin. This inaugural event invites runners to embrace the challenge of a unique Backyard Ultra format, where participants tackle a 4.167-mile loop around the stunning Lake Travis, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.
Whether you're aiming for a half marathon, marathon, or even an ultra distance, there's a goal for everyone. Complete 4 loops for a half marathon medal, 7 loops for a full marathon, or push yourself further for ultra recognition with 8 or more loops. With the course transitioning from a scenic day route to a thrilling night challenge, this event promises to test your mental fortitude and physical endurance like never before. Join this vibrant community of runners and find out how far you can go!
Whether you're aiming for a half marathon, marathon, or even an ultra distance, there's a goal for everyone. Complete 4 loops for a half marathon medal, 7 loops for a full marathon, or push yourself further for ultra recognition with 8 or more loops. With the course transitioning from a scenic day route to a thrilling night challenge, this event promises to test your mental fortitude and physical endurance like never before. Join this vibrant community of runners and find out how far you can go!
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, 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.
THE MAY 2025 RACE IS AN OFFICIAL BRONZE TICKET QUALIFYING EVENT! Our winner will earn a guaranteed spot in a 2025 Silver Ticket race on the road to the 2026 US Backyard Ultra National Team.
SET YOUR OWN CHALLENGE
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: 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 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, 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.
THE MAY 2025 RACE IS AN OFFICIAL BRONZE TICKET QUALIFYING EVENT! Our winner will earn a guaranteed spot in a 2025 Silver Ticket race on the road to the 2026 US Backyard Ultra National Team.
SET YOUR OWN CHALLENGE
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: 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 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 Marathon
Incl. $6.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 24th May 2025 (7:00AM CDT)
$96.40
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
Austin's Backyard Marathon
