Big Tex Backyard Ultra
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Big Tex Backyard Ultra
Big Tex Backyard Ultra is a last runner standing backyard format held at Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe near Houston. The course uses wide, well maintained trails, primarily crushed gravel, with minimal elevation change. The venue provides a large grass area near a group dining hall shelter for personal crew setups and has reserved campsites and full hookup RV sites through the state park reservation system.
The event uses a repeating "yard" of about 4.167 miles that starts every hour; runners must finish each yard within the hour and return to the starting corral to continue. Standard backyard rules apply: no pacers, no artificial aids including trekking poles, no crew assistance on the course, and mandatory presence in the starting corral before the top of the hour. Runners must carry any on-course supplies and may use crew support only between yards at the start and finish area.
Support features include one fully stocked aid station at the start and finish, a timing tent, and a medical treatment area. Aid items listed include water, ice, sports drinks, salty and sweet snacks, simple cooked food in the evening, and selected medical supplies; NSAIDs are not provided. Ruckers have a parallel Last Rucker Standing division with suggested weights of 20 pounds for those under 150 pounds and 30 pounds for those over 150 pounds. All participants receive event swag including a hoodie and a finisher medal, runners completing 24 yards receive a 100 mile buckle, and ruckers receive a ruck patch. A short kids run of about 1 kilometer follows the midday lap start. Live tracking will be available online and volunteer opportunities are offered with event credits and perks. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
