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

Autumn Harvest Trail Weekend
Lake Bastrop, Texas • October 10-11, 2026
Experience the magic of autumn trail running
THE BIG BASTROP BACKYARD ULTRA (LAST STANDING RUNNER/RUCKER)
• 50K • MARATHON • HALF • 20-MILER • 10-MILER • 10K • 5-MILER • 5K

BRONZE TICKET QUALIFIER

 
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  |  Cutoff: 32 hours   |  Distance: 4.17-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. 32- 36 hours at Lake Bastrop. 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 3:00 PM Sunday, the lowest cumulative time wins, and yes, they still have to complete a victory lap.
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
Start: 7:00 AM, October 10  |  Loop: 5.1 km (Loblolly Loop)  |  Max Duration: 32 hours
A backyard-format rucking event running on the same clock as the main Last Standing ultra. Complete the Loblolly Loop every hour on the bell with a weighted ruck on your back: 30 lbs for men, 20 lbs for women. Ruck 20 loops and you've covered 100 kilometers. Last rucker still completing loops wins. Field capped at 20. See below for more details. 
 
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.

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

Custom Finisher MedalRace ShirtGuaranteed if registered by Sep 15
Chip TimingFully Stocked Aid StationsWater, electrolytes, fuel, ice
Medical SupportRace PhotographyFree digital downloads

What's Not Included

LCRA park camping (reserve separately through LCRA Parks) Overnight lodgingCrew fees (crews must purchase day-use park pass)

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.
REGISTER NOW

Organized in partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park.Proceeds support HKRS Cedar Park youth running programs.