Canyon of the Eagles New Year's Trail Challenge · (100K & 50K ULTRA, Marathon, 13.1M Run & Ruck, 10K & 5K • Last Standing)
From Fit Foundation
- Date Fri 1st January 2027 - Sat 2nd January 2027
- Time 10:00AM CST
- Location Burnet, Texas
- Price $32.79 - $159.99
- Races 14 races
- Distances Ultra, 5km, 10km, Half Marathon, Marathon
Event summary
Kick off the New Year in style at the Canyon of the Eagles New Year's Trail Challenge, taking place from January 1st to January 2nd, 2027, in the picturesque Burnet, Texas. Hosted by the Fit Foundation, this exciting two-day event is perfect for both seasoned runners and newcomers, featuring a variety of race distances including a challenging 100K and 50K ultramarathon, a marathon, a half-marathon (13.1 miles), as well as 10K and 5K options.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Colorado River and scenic limestone trails, participants will not only enjoy breathtaking views but also the thrill of running where eagles soar. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply looking to enjoy a fun day outdoors, this New Year celebration encourages you to start 2027 with a bang, not a resolution. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with camaraderie, adventure, and the spirit of achievement! Don't miss your chance to be a part of this invigorating challenge—register now and make your New Year's resolution a reality!
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Colorado River and scenic limestone trails, participants will not only enjoy breathtaking views but also the thrill of running where eagles soar. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply looking to enjoy a fun day outdoors, this New Year celebration encourages you to start 2027 with a bang, not a resolution. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with camaraderie, adventure, and the spirit of achievement! Don't miss your chance to be a part of this invigorating challenge—register now and make your New Year's resolution a reality!
Organiser's Description
NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION
START THE YEAR WITH A FINISH, NOT A RESOLUTION. RING IN 2027 ON THE TRAILS OF THE CANYON OF THE EAGLES
MOUNT UP
"_MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES; RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, WALK AND NOT FAINT." __ _
THE EAGLE 100K & 50K ULTRA
MARATHON
13.1M
10K
5K
Challenge yourself with crystal-clear Colorado River views and limestone bluff trails
A CELEBRATION OF RUNNING
Ring in the New Year with vigor and community spirit, running where eagles soar at this celebratory running event at the Canyon of the Eagles! Challenge yourself with an ultramarathon or another race distance against the beautiful backdrop of the Colorado River.
[Race photo]
Watch bald eagles hunt between your laps, stargaze, and start 2027 with an epic challenge in the Texas Hill Country. This TWO-DAY event features different race options and caters to both seasoned ultrarunners and first-timers with generous cutoff times for all distances.
100K & 50K EAGLE ULTRAMARATHON
RACE DETAILS
Join us for an exhilarating race day where you'll not only challenge your limits but also enjoy a dynamic and ever-changing course layout! The welcoming environment encourages participants of all paces and fitness levels to take on their next running challenge. Adventure awaits on these scenic sun-bleached limestone bluffs and verdant courses.
[Race Photo]
* DISTANCE: 62.2 and 31.1 miles (looped course design on trails and along the river)
* CUTOFF TIME: 24 hours
* ELEVATION: 512 ft gain / 531 ft loss per loop
Need help planning your race strategy? Visit fitfoundation.org/new-year-trail-challenge [https://fitfoundation.org/new-year-trail-challenge] for our interactive pace calculator and find the perfect pace for your New Year's Day adventure!
MARATHON
MARATHON RACE DETAILS
For those seeking a shorter yet challenging distance, kick off your new year with an epic trail ultrarunning experience that takes you through varied natural scenery!
* DISTANCE: 26.2 miles
* CUTOFF TIME: 12 hours
* TERRAIN: Varied natural scenery and trails
* NOTE: Running/hiking poles are recommended
13.1M HALF-MARATHON (DAY 1 & 2)
The looped course winds through picturesque areas, highlighting river views, and gentle inclines, suitable for both new and experienced runners.
13.1M RUCK DIVISION
* WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS: 20 lbs minimum (under 150 lb participants) / 30 lbs minimum (over 150 lb participants)
* VERIFICATION: Weights checked at start and finish
* CUTOFF TIME: 12 hours
* COURSE: Same scenic 13.1M route
TRAIL 5K &10K: 1ST OR/AND 2ND DAY RUN OR RUCK
START YOUR YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Kick off your New Year with an invigorating trail run through scenic natural terrain. This 5K adventure combines the energy of a fresh start with the serenity of nature, making it the perfect way to launch your New Year's fitness journey.
Begin your year immersed in nature as you wind through wooded trails, taking in breathtaking vistas. Our well-marked 5K course features natural terrain, offering both challenge and inspiration for runners and hikers of all levels.
Organized in partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park. Proceeds support HKRS Cedar Park youth running programs.
OPTION: Complete as a run or ruck (weighted backpack) - your choice!
RING IN THE NEW YEAR ON THE TRAILS
[Race photo 1] [Race photo 2] [Race photo 3] [Race photo 4] [Race photo 5] [Race photo 6] [Race photo 7] [Race photo 8] [Race photo 9] [Race photo 10] [Race photo 11] [Race photo 12]
Challenge yourself in the beauty of the Canyon of the Eagles - choose your distance and start your year with an achievement!
REGISTER NOW
THE GAUNTLET: LAST ONE STANDING
STOP 1 OF 4 . THE OPENER
DAY ONE OF THE YEAR.
BELL ONE OF THE SEASON.
Noon, New Year's Day . Lake Buchanan . Burnet, TX
Canyon of the Eagles opens The Gauntlet at noon on January 1st, on the shores of Lake Buchanan. Whatever you told yourself you would do this year, you will already be doing it before the first day is out. You start easier than a standard backyard ultra: 4 miles at 15:00 pace for the first eight hours. The sun goes down before that block does. At 8 PM the loop grows to 5 miles, the pace tightens to 12:00, and the race you signed up for starts moving away from you.
It keeps moving. Sunrise on January 2nd catches you on the 6 mile loop at 10:00 pace, with the limestone bluffs and the river arm of the lake coming back into view and the bald eagles that give the canyon its name working the water while you count loops. Noon on the 2nd is a full 24 hours in, and it is where the loop reaches 7 miles and stops growing.
The Wall opens at 8 PM on January 2nd, in the dark of the second night. From there the loop simply repeats: 7 miles at 8:34 pace, on the hour, for as long as anyone can answer. Whoever is last to stop takes the first name on the Gauntlet board for the year, and everyone chasing the Sole Survivor title spends the next ten months chasing them.
12:00 PM
First Bell, January 1
You start in daylight on the first day of the year. Be in the corral for every bell after.
4 -> 7 MI
The Ramp
The loop grows three times before it locks. You do not get the easy version back.
176 MI
Just To Reach The Wall
Nobody arrives at hour 33 fresh. That is the entire point of it.
1
Sole Survivor
One title, one name. Everyone else is recorded with their yard count.
How the clock escalates
Same bell every hour. Different race underneath it.
HOURS
LOOP
PACE
ON THE CLOCK
1 to 8
4.0 mi
15:00 /mi
Noon to 8 PM, Jan 1
9 to 16
5.0 mi
12:00 /mi
8 PM to 4 AM, into Jan 2
17 to 24
6.0 mi
10:00 /mi
4 AM to noon, sunrise in here
25 to 32
7.0 mi
8:34 /mi
Noon to 8 PM, Jan 2
33+
7.0 mi
8:34 /mi
8 PM onward. The Wall.
Anyone still standing at 8 PM on January 2nd has covered 176 MILES and watched the sun go down twice. From that point it stops being a race and becomes a question of who can keep finding 8:34 with less and less left to find it with.
First of four
01 . You are here
Canyon of the Eagles
New Year's Day, Burnet
02
Bluebonnet Trail Run
Spring, Marble Falls
03
Labor Day Challenge
Labor Day weekend
04 . Finale
Fields of Gold
October, Marble Falls
Don't resolve to do
something hard. Do it on day one.
Every runner at a Gauntlet start line already knows how to survive a backyard ultra. That was never the test. The test is what's left of you at hour 33.
Enter The Gauntlet -> [https://fitfoundation.org/run-a-backyard-ultra]
ONE NAME LEFT STANDING. ONE TITLE: SOLE SURVIVOR.
START THE YEAR WITH A FINISH, NOT A RESOLUTION. RING IN 2027 ON THE TRAILS OF THE CANYON OF THE EAGLES
MOUNT UP
"_MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES; RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, WALK AND NOT FAINT." __ _
THE EAGLE 100K & 50K ULTRA
MARATHON
13.1M
10K
5K
Challenge yourself with crystal-clear Colorado River views and limestone bluff trails
A CELEBRATION OF RUNNING
Ring in the New Year with vigor and community spirit, running where eagles soar at this celebratory running event at the Canyon of the Eagles! Challenge yourself with an ultramarathon or another race distance against the beautiful backdrop of the Colorado River.
[Race photo]
Watch bald eagles hunt between your laps, stargaze, and start 2027 with an epic challenge in the Texas Hill Country. This TWO-DAY event features different race options and caters to both seasoned ultrarunners and first-timers with generous cutoff times for all distances.
100K & 50K EAGLE ULTRAMARATHON
RACE DETAILS
Join us for an exhilarating race day where you'll not only challenge your limits but also enjoy a dynamic and ever-changing course layout! The welcoming environment encourages participants of all paces and fitness levels to take on their next running challenge. Adventure awaits on these scenic sun-bleached limestone bluffs and verdant courses.
[Race Photo]
* DISTANCE: 62.2 and 31.1 miles (looped course design on trails and along the river)
* CUTOFF TIME: 24 hours
* ELEVATION: 512 ft gain / 531 ft loss per loop
Need help planning your race strategy? Visit fitfoundation.org/new-year-trail-challenge [https://fitfoundation.org/new-year-trail-challenge] for our interactive pace calculator and find the perfect pace for your New Year's Day adventure!
MARATHON
MARATHON RACE DETAILS
For those seeking a shorter yet challenging distance, kick off your new year with an epic trail ultrarunning experience that takes you through varied natural scenery!
* DISTANCE: 26.2 miles
* CUTOFF TIME: 12 hours
* TERRAIN: Varied natural scenery and trails
* NOTE: Running/hiking poles are recommended
13.1M HALF-MARATHON (DAY 1 & 2)
The looped course winds through picturesque areas, highlighting river views, and gentle inclines, suitable for both new and experienced runners.
13.1M RUCK DIVISION
* WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS: 20 lbs minimum (under 150 lb participants) / 30 lbs minimum (over 150 lb participants)
* VERIFICATION: Weights checked at start and finish
* CUTOFF TIME: 12 hours
* COURSE: Same scenic 13.1M route
TRAIL 5K &10K: 1ST OR/AND 2ND DAY RUN OR RUCK
START YOUR YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Kick off your New Year with an invigorating trail run through scenic natural terrain. This 5K adventure combines the energy of a fresh start with the serenity of nature, making it the perfect way to launch your New Year's fitness journey.
Begin your year immersed in nature as you wind through wooded trails, taking in breathtaking vistas. Our well-marked 5K course features natural terrain, offering both challenge and inspiration for runners and hikers of all levels.
Organized in partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park. Proceeds support HKRS Cedar Park youth running programs.
OPTION: Complete as a run or ruck (weighted backpack) - your choice!
RING IN THE NEW YEAR ON THE TRAILS
[Race photo 1] [Race photo 2] [Race photo 3] [Race photo 4] [Race photo 5] [Race photo 6] [Race photo 7] [Race photo 8] [Race photo 9] [Race photo 10] [Race photo 11] [Race photo 12]
Challenge yourself in the beauty of the Canyon of the Eagles - choose your distance and start your year with an achievement!
REGISTER NOW
THE GAUNTLET: LAST ONE STANDING
STOP 1 OF 4 . THE OPENER
DAY ONE OF THE YEAR.
BELL ONE OF THE SEASON.
Noon, New Year's Day . Lake Buchanan . Burnet, TX
Canyon of the Eagles opens The Gauntlet at noon on January 1st, on the shores of Lake Buchanan. Whatever you told yourself you would do this year, you will already be doing it before the first day is out. You start easier than a standard backyard ultra: 4 miles at 15:00 pace for the first eight hours. The sun goes down before that block does. At 8 PM the loop grows to 5 miles, the pace tightens to 12:00, and the race you signed up for starts moving away from you.
It keeps moving. Sunrise on January 2nd catches you on the 6 mile loop at 10:00 pace, with the limestone bluffs and the river arm of the lake coming back into view and the bald eagles that give the canyon its name working the water while you count loops. Noon on the 2nd is a full 24 hours in, and it is where the loop reaches 7 miles and stops growing.
The Wall opens at 8 PM on January 2nd, in the dark of the second night. From there the loop simply repeats: 7 miles at 8:34 pace, on the hour, for as long as anyone can answer. Whoever is last to stop takes the first name on the Gauntlet board for the year, and everyone chasing the Sole Survivor title spends the next ten months chasing them.
12:00 PM
First Bell, January 1
You start in daylight on the first day of the year. Be in the corral for every bell after.
4 -> 7 MI
The Ramp
The loop grows three times before it locks. You do not get the easy version back.
176 MI
Just To Reach The Wall
Nobody arrives at hour 33 fresh. That is the entire point of it.
1
Sole Survivor
One title, one name. Everyone else is recorded with their yard count.
How the clock escalates
Same bell every hour. Different race underneath it.
HOURS
LOOP
PACE
ON THE CLOCK
1 to 8
4.0 mi
15:00 /mi
Noon to 8 PM, Jan 1
9 to 16
5.0 mi
12:00 /mi
8 PM to 4 AM, into Jan 2
17 to 24
6.0 mi
10:00 /mi
4 AM to noon, sunrise in here
25 to 32
7.0 mi
8:34 /mi
Noon to 8 PM, Jan 2
33+
7.0 mi
8:34 /mi
8 PM onward. The Wall.
Anyone still standing at 8 PM on January 2nd has covered 176 MILES and watched the sun go down twice. From that point it stops being a race and becomes a question of who can keep finding 8:34 with less and less left to find it with.
First of four
01 . You are here
Canyon of the Eagles
New Year's Day, Burnet
02
Bluebonnet Trail Run
Spring, Marble Falls
03
Labor Day Challenge
Labor Day weekend
04 . Finale
Fields of Gold
October, Marble Falls
Don't resolve to do
something hard. Do it on day one.
Every runner at a Gauntlet start line already knows how to survive a backyard ultra. That was never the test. The test is what's left of you at hour 33.
Enter The Gauntlet -> [https://fitfoundation.org/run-a-backyard-ultra]
ONE NAME LEFT STANDING. ONE TITLE: SOLE SURVIVOR.
Races
-
The Eagle 100k Ultra
Incl. $10.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$159.99
-
50K Ultramarathon
Incl. $8.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$128.19
Join us for an exhilarating race day where you'll not only challenge your limits but also enjoy a dynamic and ever-changing course layout! The welcoming environment encourages participants of all paces and fitness levels to take on their next running challenge. Adventure awaits on these scenic sun-bleached limestone bluffs and verdant courses. -
Last One Standing (Gauntlet)
Incl. $4.54 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (12:00PM CST)
$63.54
LOOP 4 -> 5 -> 6 -> 7 mi, then locked PACE TO HOLD 15:00 -> 12:00 -> 10:00 -> 8:34 /mi PROGRESSION Escalates every 8 hrs, until hour 33 -
Marathon
Incl. $7.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$117.59
For those seeking a shorter yet challenging distance, kick off your new year with an epic trail ultrarunning experience that takes you through varied natural scenery! Enjoy a 15.5-mile looped journey through the most scenic areas of Arkansas Bend Park, complete with a 7-hour cutoff time. -
1/2 Marathon
Incl. $7.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$106.99
-
1/2 Marathon Ruck
Incl. $7.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$106.99
-
10k
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$64.59
-
10K Ruck
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$64.59
-
5K Run/Walk
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$53.99
-
5K Ruck
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$64.59
Required Gear Rucksack: GORUCK Rucker recommended, but any rucksack is acceptable Must have reflective elements for visibility and safety Ruck Plates: Men: 20 lb (9.1 kg) Ruck Plate Women: 10 lb (4.5 kg) Ruck Plate Plates must be placed high in the rucksack, close to your back Additional Gear: Hydration system (water bladder or bottles) Appropriate footwear for trail conditions Weather-appropriate clothing Weight Requirements These weight requirements apply to all events (5K, 10K, and Half Marathon): Men: 20 lbs (9.1 kg) Women: 10 lbs (4.5 kg) Note: These are dry weights. Water, food, and additional gear do not count towards the weight requirement. Weight Verification Weight checks will be conducted at the start and finish of each event For longer events (10K and Half Marathon), additional checks may be performed during the course Participants must maintain the required weight throughout the entire event Additional Notes While GORUCK Ruck Plates are recommended, equivalent weights (e.g. weight vest pl -
5K (Day 2)
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 2nd January 2027 (7:00AM CST)
$64.59
-
Pacer Registration
Incl. $2.80 Fee
Fri 1st January 2027 (10:00AM CST)
$32.79
-
10K (Day 2)
Incl. $4.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 2nd January 2027 (7:00AM CST)
$64.59
-
1/2 Marathon (Day 2)
Incl. $7.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 2nd January 2027 (7:00AM CST)
$117.59
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16942 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet, 78611, TX, United States
Canyon of the Eagles New Year's Trail Challenge · (100K & 50K ULTRA, Marathon, 13.1M Run & Ruck, 10K & 5K • Last Standing)
