Austin's Backyard Marathon

🏃‍♂️ AUSTIN'S BACKYARD MARATHON

📏 How Far Will You Go?

"So, the last shall be first, and the first last"

🌄 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.

🏅 Race Overview

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.

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.

💼 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 Are Simple

• Course Length: The course is a 4.167-mile (6.706 km) loop
• Loop Start: A new loop starts at the top of each hour
• Complete Requirement: Participants must complete each loop within the hour to continue
• Elimination: Runners are eliminated if they fail to complete a loop in time or choose not to start the next loop
• Winner Determination: 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 terrain—from exposed shoreline paths to shaded forest sections, and from day to night routes—will 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?