From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find ultra events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Ready to take on a new challenge? 🏃♂️ The Holiday Victory Lap in Spicewood is waiting for you with breathtaking landscapes of the Texas Hill Country!
NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION
Start the year with a finish, not a resolution. Ring in the New Year on the Trails of the Canyon of the Eagles
THE EAGLE 100K & 50K ULTRA
25K RUN & RUCK
13.1M
10K
5K
Challenge yourself with crystal-clear Colorado River views and limestone bluff trails
A CELEBRATION OF RUNNING
Ring in the New Year with vigor and community spirit, running where eagles soar at this celebratory running event at the Canyon of the Eagles! Challenge yourself with an ultramarathon or another race distance against the beautiful backdrop of the Colorado River.
Watch bald eagles hunt between your laps, stargaze, and start 2027 with an epic challenge in the Texas Hill Country. This event features different race options and caters to both seasoned ultrarunners and first-timers with generous cutoff times for all distances.
100K & 50K EAGLE ULTRAMARATHON
Race Details
Join us for an exhilarating race day where you'll not only challenge your limits but also enjoy a dynamic and ever-changing course layout! The welcoming environment encourages participants of all paces and fitness levels to take on their next running challenge. Adventure awaits on these scenic sun-bleached limestone bluffs and verdant courses.
Race Photo
Distance: 62.2 and 31.1 miles (looped course design on trails and along the river)
Cutoff Time: 24 hours
Elevation: 512 ft gain / 531 ft loss per loop
Need help planning your race strategy? Visit fitfoundation.org/new-year-trail-challenge for our interactive pace calculator and find the perfect pace for your New Year's Day adventure!
25K TRAIL RUN/RUCK
25K Race Details
For those seeking a shorter yet challenging distance, kick off your new year with an epic trail ultrarunning experience that takes you through varied natural scenery!
Distance: 15.5 miles
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Terrain: Varied natural scenery and trails
Note: Running/hiking poles are recommended
13.1M Half-Marathon
The looped course winds through picturesque areas, highlighting river views, and gentle inclines, suitable for both new and experienced runners.
13.1M & 25K Ruck Division
Weight Requirements: 20 lbs minimum (under 150 lb participants) / 30 lbs minimum (over 150 lb participants)
Verification: Weights checked at start and finish
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Course: Same scenic 13.1M & 25K route
TRAIL 5K &10K: RUN OR RUCK
Start Your Year on the Right Foot
Kick off your New Year with an invigorating trail run through scenic natural terrain. This 5K adventure combines the energy of a fresh start with the serenity of nature, making it the perfect way to launch your New Year's fitness journey.
Begin your year immersed in nature as you wind through wooded trails, taking in breathtaking vistas. Our well-marked 5K course features natural terrain, offering both challenge and inspiration for runners and hikers of all levels.
Organized in partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park. Proceeds support HKRS Cedar Park youth running programs.
Option: Complete as a run or ruck (weighted backpack) - your choice!
RING IN THE NEW YEAR ON THE TRAILS
Challenge yourself in the beauty of the Canyon of the Eagles - choose your distance and start your year with an achievement!
REGISTER NOW
🐎 Rodeo Half-Marathon, Marathon Ultra and Backyard Ultra 🐎
Saddle Up. Run Hard. Run the Trails.
Earn the buckle. Be part of something gritty and real.
Race Weekend: March 13, 2027
Prices increase as spots fill.
🤠 Two Rodeos. One City. Endless Grit.
Come March 2027, while Austin celebrates cowboys, concerts, and competition at Rodeo Austin, a different kind of rodeo will unfold on the trails.
Welcome to the Rodeo Trail Run of Austin, where effort matters, the terrain tests you, and every finisher earns a custom rodeo-style buckle.
🦬 The Bull – Technical Course Segment
Some sections of the course are rocky, steep, and technical, earning its nickname for a reason. Runners will tackle a challenging course featuring:
Loose and exposed rock
Short but steep climbs and descents
Uneven footing that rewards patience and smart pacing
The elevation profile reflects frequent grade changes, making the technical segments as much about control and durability as speed.
This is a true test of:
Foot placement
Mental focus
Trail toughness
Respect the Bull — it adds up lap after lap.
Respect the Bull
THE MAIN EVENT: THE RODEO HALF-MARATHON & MARATHON ULTRA
This is a no-frills, honest trail half-marathon and marathon ultra on classic Texas Hill Country terrain. Rolling dirt roads, rugged footing, wide skies, and a course that rewards steady grit over hype.
Whether you’re racing hard or running strong, this is a course that feels earned.
Half Marathon and Marathon Ultra Details:
Distance: Half marathon and ultra marathon, 28 miles (trail)
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Fully stocked aid stations
Finisher recognition for every runner
Custom participant shirt
Rodeo-inspired atmosphere (without the chaos)
Field is capped. Prices increase soon.
Registered runners for the Rodeo Half Marathon (March 13) receive a free, trail-specific 12-week training plan, built for Hill Country terrain.
BONUS EVENT: 🔁 RODEO BACKYARD ULTRA (LIMITED FIELD)
At the Rodeo Backyard Ultra, the 4.167-mile (6.706 km) out and back course is the bull, and every hour, runners have to ride that bull again by completing a lap before the hour ends. When the next hour begins, the bull comes charging back out… and the runner has to saddle up once more.
Backyard Ultra runners will complete their segment as an out-and-back each lap, returning the same way they came. Expect the terrain to feel very different on the way back.
This is a small, gritty, invitational-style Backyard Ultra capped at 20-25 runners. If the field doesn’t fill, the event will convert to a timed endurance format.
Just like in the arena, this race tests endurance, grit, and heart, seeing how long you can "stay on."
The event keeps going until there's only one runner left: the Last One Standing.
Note: This is a sanctioned 'Backyard' meaning, runners' results are officially tracked in the global database and on the Path to Big's.
The 8-HOUR TIMED RUN.
Same 4.167-mile loop. Same 9:00 AM start. But instead of chasing a set distance, you're chasing the clock. Run as many loops as you can before 5:00 PM, that's 8 hours of trail, grit, and whatever you've got left in the tank.
Here's the rundown:
• Course: 4.167-mile loop at Grelle Recreation Area
• Start: 9:00 AM CDT
• Cutoff: 5:00 PM (8 hours sharp)
• Format: Completed loops only, run, rest, repeat
• Awards: Finisher buckle for everyone who completes at least 3 loops
• No participant cap
This sits right alongside our Half Marathon, Marathon Ultra, and Backyard Ultra, so whether you want a set distance or an all-day adventure, we've got a saddle for you.
Ride hard. Run harder. 🤠
Rodeo Backyard Ultra
How It Works
Each hour, runners start a 4.167-mile loop ("the bull").
Finish within the hour to stay in the race.
Any leftover time is your rest, until the bell rings again.
Miss the cutoff, and you're "bucked from the bull."
The race continues until only one cowboy or cowgirl remains standing.
Runner’s buckle awarded for completing 3 loops (13+ miles)
🐎 How It Works — With Marathon Option
If you don’t finish a loop within the 60-minute cutoff, you’re officially “bucked from the bull” in the Backyard division.
BUT…
Instead of heading home, you can drop down into the Half-Marathon Division and continue running loops until you complete 13.1 miles.
That means:
Backyard runners compete for Last One Standing
Dropped runners can still finish strong with a full half-marathon completion
No wasted miles. No early exit from the party. 🤠
Course & Experience Highlights
The Chute (Starting Corral)
Each hour begins in the "chute," where runners line up like rodeo riders waiting for the next bull. When the cowbell rings, it's time to ride.
The Roper's Turnaround
At the halfway point, runners must lasso a post before returning, symbolizing "roping the bull."
This ritual, called The Catch, keeps the cowboy spirit alive with every loop.
To verify, each runner moves their token (washer, chip, or bracelet) on a pegboard when they rope successfully, a simple, reliable self-check system.
The Watering Hole (Aid Station)
Recharge at the Chuckwagon with hydration, fuel, and friendly faces before the next ride.
🔔 The Arena (Finish Area)
When you finish a loop, ring the cowbell to announce your successful ride.
The echo of cowbells fills camp, a sound that says another bull's been tamed.
Rodeo Backyard Ultra
⭐ READY TO RIDE? ⭐
Join us for Austin's most unique trail half-marathon, marathon ultra and backyard ultra experience!
This event is not affiliated with Rodeo Austin. Organized in partnership with Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park. Proceeds support HKRS Cedar Park youth running programs.