Labor Day Trail Challenge Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • 8-Hour Relay

 

 

 INAUGURAL EVENT · 2026

LABOR DAY TRAIL CHALLENGE

RUN FREE: RETURN OF THE BULL

The gates are open. The bull is loose. Run Free.  Conquer the Lost Pines on single-track trails along the Colorado River

September 5  |   McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Cedar Creek TX 5K · 10K · 8-HOUR RELAY · HALF MARATHON · MARATHON   TRAILS Single-Track & Fire Roads   ECOSYSTEMS 4 Unique Biomes   SETTING Colorado River

About the Race

Trade the bullpen for the box canyons. Return of the Bull

You’ve been penned up all year. It’s time to break the fences. Kick off your Labor Day weekend with an unforgettable trail running experience at McKinney Roughs Nature Park, a stunning 1,140-acre preserve just 13 miles east of Austin along the Colorado River. Choose from five events that wind through the park's rolling box canyons, wildflower meadows, and towering loblolly pine forests.

This is Central Texas trail running at its finest. You'll traverse four distinct ecosystems. Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, East Texas Piney Woods, and a lush riparian corridor, all in a single race. Expect technical single-track, scenic river overlooks, and the kind of terrain that makes every mile an adventure.

Return of the Bull marks the second chapter of the Rodeo Trail Run Series, following the inaugural Austin's Rodeo Trail Run at Grelle Recreation Area. All half-marathon and marathon finishers receive a custom rodeo-style belt buckle and event shirt, the signature swag of the series.

Whether you're a seasoned ultra-distance trail runner taking on the full marathon, a veteran racer tackling the half, or a newcomer ready for your first 5K off-road, the Labor Day Trail Challenge has a distance for you. Unleash the grit. Master the Roughs. Run Free.

Choose Your Distance

FIVE EVENTS · ONE EPIC COURSE   5K 3.1 Miles Beginner Friendly     10K 6.2 Miles Intermediate   POPULAR
🔥 HALF MARATHON 13.1 Miles Intermediate     MARATHON 26.2 Miles Advanced

⏱️ 8-Hour Relay Challenge

Grab your favorite running partner, build your duo, and take on the 8-Hour Relay Challenge! This high-energy format strips away the pressure of a fixed distance and replaces it with a fast-paced, strategy-driven race against the clock.

STARTS 7:00 AM · 8 HOURS ⚠️ Early bird pricing ends April 1. Prices increase after that date