Labor Day Trail Challenge: Return of the Bull (5K · 10K · Half-marathon · Marathon ·1 Hour)

About the Race

• Experience: 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.
• Ecosystems: Traverse through four distinct ecosystems: Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, East Texas Piney Woods, and a lush riparian corridor, all in a single race.
• Swag: All half-marathon and marathon finishers receive a custom rodeo-style belt buckle and event shirt, the signature swag of the series.
• Distance Options: 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.

Choose Your Distance

• 5K: 3.1 Miles - Beginner Friendly
• 10K: 6.2 Miles - Intermediate
• Half Marathon: 13.1 Miles - Intermediate
• Marathon: 26.2 Miles - Advanced

Carpe Diem Trail Challenge

How far can you go in one hour? The Carpe Diem challenge is a timed effort — run as many miles as you can in 60 minutes on the same single-track course. No set distance. No pressure. Just you, the trail, and the clock.

Note: Early bird pricing ends April 1. Prices increase $10 after that date.

Course Highlights

• 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.
• Wildlife Corridor: Four ecosystems converge here, home to 250+ bird species and diverse Central Texas wildlife.

Race Swag & Awards

• Rodeo Series Buckle: Custom belt buckle for every half-marathon and marathon finisher.
• Event T-Shirt: Moisture-wicking, gender-specific cut with rodeo series branding.
• Finisher Medal: Custom Lost Pines design for all finishers.
• Awards: Cowboy hat award for top male & female finisher in each distance event.

Race Details

• Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
• Day: Labor Day Weekend
• Start Time: 7:00 AM (Carpe Diem starts 6:30 AM)
• Location: McKinney Roughs Nature Park
• Address: 1884 State Hwy 71 West, Cedar Creek, TX 78612
• Surface: Dirt / Single-Track Trail
• Chip Timed: Yes
• Stroller Friendly: No (trail course)