Labor Day Trail Challenge Marathon
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Event Overview
The Labor Day Trail Challenge is an inaugural trail running event taking place at McKinney Roughs Nature Park in Cedar Creek, Texas. Located 13 miles east of Austin along the Colorado River, the race is held within a 1,140-acre nature preserve. The course features a mix of single-track trails and fire roads, traversing four distinct biomes: Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, East Texas Piney Woods, and a riparian corridor.
Participants can choose from four different distances:
- 5K (3.1 miles)
- 10K (6.2 miles)
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
Course and Terrain
The route includes technical single-track sections with rolling elevation changes reaching up to 469 feet of gain. Runners pass through wildflower meadows, box canyons, and the Lost Pines Forest, which is characterized by loblolly pines and eastern red cedars. Several points along the course offer views of the Colorado River from bluff-top overlooks.
Due to the nature of the trails, this race is not stroller-friendly. All events are chip-timed, and aid stations providing water, electrolytes, and snacks are positioned along the route.
Participant Information
All finishers receive a custom medal featuring a Lost Pines design and a moisture-wicking, gender-specific t-shirt. Free parking is available on-site in the main and overflow lots. The park entrance is located on Highway 71, marked by a rock wall and a windmill. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
