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

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