INAUGURAL EVENT · 2026

September 5  |   McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Cedar Creek TX

5K · 10K · 8-HOUR RELAY · HALF MARATHON · MARATHON

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

5K 3.1 Miles Beginner Friendly

10K 6.2 Miles Intermediate

POPULAR 🔥 HALF MARATHON 13.1 Miles Intermediate

MARATHON 26.2 Miles Advanced

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		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

WHAT EVERY FINISHER TAKES HOME

Awards

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.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Getting There: Located on Hwy 71 just 13 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Look for the distinctive rock wall entrance with windmill on the south side of the highway. Free parking available in the main lot with additional overflow parking.

Nearby Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa is adjacent to the park. Additional hotels available in Bastrop (8 miles east). Make a weekend of it, race Saturday, relax Sunday and Monday.

Rodeo Trail Run Series

The Labor Day Trail Challenge is the second event in the Rodeo Trail Run Series. Ran the Austin Rodeo Trail Run at Grelle in March? You're a series veteran. New to the rodeo? Welcome to the herd. Either way, you'll earn one of the two signature series buckles and shirt when you cross the finish line.

LABOR DAY TRAIL CHALLENGE 2026

McKinney Roughs Nature Park · Cedar Creek, TX · September 5, 2026

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