Labor Day Trail Challenge Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • 8-Hour Run/Walk (Solo) • 8-Hour Relay 2026

Description

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 Solo Run or Relay Challenge

Choose-Your-Own-Adventure: Run or walk for 8 hours. You can also 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

Course Highlights

WHAT AWAITS YOU ON THE TRAIL

Lost Pines Forest Run through towering loblolly pines and eastern red cedars, an isolated pocket of East Texas ecology River Overlooks Scenic bluff-top views of the Colorado River from the Ridge and Bluff Overlook trails Rolling Elevation Up to 469 ft of elevation gain on technical single-track through box canyons and ridgelines Aid Stations Fully stocked with water, electrolytes, snacks, and encouragement Wildlife Corridor Four ecosystems converge here, home to 250+ bird species and diverse Central Texas wildlife Rodeo Series Buckle Every half marathon and marathon finisher earns a custom rodeo-style belt buckle from the Rodeo Trail Run Series

Race Swag & Awards

WHAT EVERY FINISHER TAKES HOME

TRAIL RUN RODEO SERIES Rodeo Series Buckle

Custom belt buckle, signature of the Rodeo Trail Run Series. Every half-marathon and marathon finisher.

Event T-Shirt

with rodeo series branding

LOST PINES Finisher Medal

Custom Lost Pines design for all finishers

Awards

FOR THOSE WHO RIDE THE HARDEST

Overall Winners

Cowboy hat award for top male & female finisher in each distance event

FINISHER RODEO TRAIL RUN SERIES • 2026 All Finishers

Every half-marathon and marathon runner who crosses the finish line within cutoff earns a Rodeo Trail Run Series buckle. Medals for other distances.

Race Details

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Date Saturday, September 5, 2026 Day Labor Day Weekend Start Time 7:00 AM Location McKinney Roughs Nature Park Address 1884 State Hwy 71 West, Cedar Creek, TX 78612 Surface Dirt / Single-Track T