BigTex Backyard Ultra: Last Runner Standing
The Ultimate Test of Grit—4.17 miles every hour until only one runner remains
The Big Tex 2025 is back for the third year hosted near Houston, Texas at Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe allowing a large grass area for personal aid setup around our group dining hall screen shelter as well as reserved campsites and full hookup RV sites. The group dining hall area hosts a large grass area for runners to setup personal crew spots (see below information).
The SFA State Park has a network of wide, well-maintained, trails, primarily crushed gravel, with minimal elevation change.
Back for year three, The Big Tex Backyard is a "last runner standing" format as seen at Big Dog's and the popular Go One More events, with a 4.17 mile "yard" starting every hour, on the hour, until there is only one remaining. Standard backyard format rules will apply (see below details). 2024 was a Bronze Ticket race to Laz's Big Dog's Backyard road to the 2025 Silver Ticket Races to the 2026 National Championships to the 2027 Backyard World Championships. We will update other qualifications for the future events.
All participants will receive a Big Tex hoodie, a special customized poster with their completed yards stamped, and fully stocked aid station support. Runners completing 24 yards will receive a 100mi buckle. The winner will win a dollar for every mile they run and the seconder will win a dollar for every yard they finish!**
2025 Schedule
Friday, October 17th
Noon onwards: Personal Tent/Aid Setup at SFA State Park Group Dining Hall area in designated area (see below).
Noon to 5 PM: Packet pickup at SFA State Park Group Dining Hall.
Saturday, October 18th
6 - 7 AM Bib Pickup at SFA State Park Group Dining Hall
7 AM Start
Finish TBD! At the completion of your run you can pickup your finishers hoodie and stamp your completed yards on your poster.
Backyard Format Rules
The Backyard format is simple: 100 miles divided into 24 hours give you 4.167 miles for a "yard" (lap). Every hour, on the hour, a new yard will start and you must finish within the hour and be back in the starting corral for the next one to stay in the run. Complete as many as you can, last runner standing wins.
Runners and crew will be able to set up a personal area with chairs, tents, etc. around the start/finish course-line area for personal aid, gear, and rest between yards (not during).
We will give a 3-minute, 2-minute, and 1-minute warning to be inside the starting corral for the next yard.
All runners are required to be in the starting corral before the top of the hour.
Failure to line up in the starting corral will result in the disqualification of the runner. Participants must start a new yard at the sound, and continue out on the course (not back to their tent, etc.).
Once you are on the course, you are not allowed any aid from your crew or any other individual. No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners). Except for restrooms, competitors may not leave the course until each loop is completed. Runners are responsible for their own aid on the course (carried with them). You must be on and stay on the course unless you need to use the bathroom.
No artificial aids (including trekking poles) are allowed.
Once you complete the yard, and assuming you have finished within the hour, you may use the bathroom, eat, drink, sleep, ponder the next yard, etc., but you MUST be back in the start corral at the beginning of the hour to continue into the next hour’s yard.
Runners will continue until ONE runner completes a FINAL lap. (i.e. If there are two runners left and one does not complete the loop, then the one that completed the loop will be declared the winner).
No pacers whatsoever.
You must checkout with the race director once you can not complete a yard or decide not to begin the next yard.
Live tracking will be online (stay tuned for link).
The TROT volunteers and crew will provide aid at the start/finish line. See the volunteer tab (once available) to signup to help out and earn TROT race credits and more.
Campsite and RV site reservations must be made through the State Park Reservation system. Only active runners may leave personal gear set up in the grass area at the start/finish, there is no camping in this area.