Matagorda: The Gulf Coast Trail Running Festival
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Matagorda: Gulf Coast Trail Running Festival
Matagorda's two-day festival takes place at LCRA's Matagorda Bay Nature Park where the Colorado River meets the Gulf. The pavilion is the event hub and each race uses coastal out-and-back laps through packed sand, rock levees, open beach, and crushed granite. Typical lap gain is about 30 to 60 feet with net elevation near zero on the out-and-back.
Distances
- Backyard Ultra loop 4.167 miles
- Marathon 26.51 miles
- Half Marathon 13.57 miles
- 10K 6.20 miles
- 5K 3.10 miles
- Half Marathon Ruck 13.1 miles
The Backyard Ultra runs as repeated 4.167 mile loops that must be completed within an hour to count; each loop begins one hour after the previous. Camp at the pavilion is convenient because it is passed twice every lap. The Backyard Ultra is the Circuit Championship Finale and a Bronze ticket qualifier. The final solo winner receives a bronze trophy, a complimentary entry to the next circuit race, and a prize paid at two dollars per mile rounded to the nearest dollar; prize money is awarded only if a single official winner completes the final solo loop.
Rucking follows the half marathon course with minimum dry pack weights of 20 lb for those under 150 lb and 30 lb for those 150 lb or over. Weight is checked before and after the race and water does not count toward the minimum.
Race logistics note that the event is strictly cupless, aid at the pavilion provides water, electrolyte drinks, and real food, and park entry for participants is included in registration. Expect coastal winds and abundant bird migration. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.