Fields of Gold 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon • 12 Hour • 1 Hour • 10K • 5K

FIELDS OF GOLD TRAIL RUN

Shaffer Bend Recreation Area - A Celebration of Fall's Golden Glory

Experience the breathtaking transformation of Texas Hill Country as autumn paints the landscape in brilliant shades of gold, amber, and crimson. The Fields of Gold Trail Run offers runners an unforgettable journey through some of the most spectacular fall scenery in Central Texas.

RACE OPTIONS

12-Hour Endurance Challenge, 50K and Marathon (26.2 miles)

The ultimate autumn challenge featuring diverse terrain through golden grasslands, wooded valleys, and scenic overlooks

The 12-Hour Endurance Challenge Final Hour "Golden Loop" Rule (8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

• 8:00 PM Main Course Cut-off: At exactly 8:00 PM CDT, the main trail loop will close to all 12-Hour runners. No one will be allowed out on the main course after this time. 
• The Short Loop Staging: Between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, all remaining runners will switch to a designated, shortened 1-mile basecamp loop to accumulate final mileage. 
• The 9:00 PM Hard Stop: You can run as many short loops as you can manage in that final hour, but you must cross the finish line mat before the clock strikes 9:00 PM CDT for a loop to count. Any loop in progress at 9:00 PM will not be recorded, so time your final sprint wisely!

Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

Perfect for experiencing the best of fall foliage on a challenging yet achievable course

10K Trail Run

A scenic route showcasing the park's most photogenic autumn vistas

5K Harvest Fun Run

Family-friendly course through golden meadows, perfect for all ages and abilities

12-Hour Endurance Challenge

Start Time: 9:00 AM
Cut-off: 12-hour continuous endurance challenge
Winner determined by total miles covered
No set distance - push your personal limits
Aid stations and support provided

Gold Hour Endurance Challenge

Run into the Golden Hour.

As the sun lowers over the Texas fields and the light turns gold, the trail comes alive.

The Gold Hour Trail Challenge is a 60-minute endurance test set on a scenic 4-mile out-and-back course. When the horn sounds, runners will have one hour to cover as much distance as possible — pushing toward the turnaround and racing the light back to the finish. Run hard. Settle into rhythm. Or chase one more lap before time expires.

Night Trail Running Safety

Your safety is our priority during this trail event. Participants running the dark hours must have:

• Headlamp (required) - with fresh batteries
• Backup light source (recommended)
• Reflective clothing or vest
• Personal hydration system
• Cell phone for emergency communications

WHAT MAKES THIS SPECIAL

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