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 near 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 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.

The Austin Backyard Ultra at Turkey Bend Recreation Area utilizes a dual-course strategy to manage the unique physical and mental demands of a last-person-standing event. This format requires runners to complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour on the hour, and the transition between the Day and Night loops marks a pivotal shift in the race's narrative. By splitting the event into two distinct environments, the course design addresses the changing light conditions, runner safety, and the psychological "wall" that often hits during the transition from dusk to dawn.

The Day Loop is defined by its expansive views and technical engagement, tracing the perimeter of the Colorado River. Runners navigate a mix of winding single-track and open meadows that offer constant visual stimulation, which is essential for staying mentally "awake" during the early hours of the race. The terrain and occasional root-tangled sections through the northern wooded "hook" provide a classic Central Texas trail experience, rewarding those who maintain a steady, efficient gait while soaking in the waterfront scenery.

As the clock strikes 7:00 PM, the race shifts to the Night Loop, moving away from the exposed lakeside to the interior "spine" of the park. This course is built for "tunnel vision," prioritizing wider double-track and fire-break paths that are easier to navigate under the beam of a headlamp. While this loop may feel more repetitive, its predictability is a safety asset; it minimizes the risk of trips and falls when fatigue begins to compromise a runners proprioception and balance.

The transition between these two loops is where the race is often won or lost. The psychological shift from the "exploratory" feel of the Day Loop to the "rhythmic grind" of the Night Loop can be jarring, especially as the Central Texas humidity lingers after sunset. Successful runners treat the Night Loop as a moving meditation, relying on the high-visibility reflective markers to guide them through the darkness while the interior woods provide a natural windbreak and a quieter, more sheltered environment for the long midnight hours.

Logistically, both loops are anchored by a central start/finish corral located near the parks main camping clusters to ensure seamless crew support. This "home base" serves as the emotional heart of the event, where runners can refuel and reset in the brief window between yards. Whether navigating the scenic riverside in the midday sun or grinding through the wooded interior under a canopy of stars, the dual-course layout ensures that the Austin Backyard Ultra remains a dynamic and strategically challenging test of endurance.

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

"This variation in terrain, from exposed shoreline paths to shaded and paved sections, will provide crucial diversity over extended hours of running. The course change also gives runners a mental reset, 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!