The short version: Most Texans run a turkey trot and call it a holiday. Two races go a lot further. The Texas Quad at Bachman Lake in Dallas runs a marathon and a half every morning from Thursday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 29, at $95 a day or $380 for all four, and several events are down to single-digit spots. The Colorado River Run at McKinney Roughs near Bastrop starts a 250K and a 100-miler on Friday, Nov. 27, with shorter races Saturday.
Texas Quad: a marathon a day at Bachman Lake
The Texas Quad is put on by Running the Distance, a Dallas organizer whose races aim at the 50 State Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs crowd. Every day uses the same course from the Bachman Lake Pavilion (3500 W. Northwest Hwy.), a few miles from Love Field: a short out-and-back, then laps of the lake. The half is four loops and the full is eight, on concrete and asphalt, with a small climb each loop at the dam and another near the start/finish. Because of construction reroutes, the race lists the half at 13.38 and the full at 26.76, and it says the course will not be certified this year. Results are gun time.
| Day | Half: spots left | Full: spots left |
|---|---|---|
| Thu., Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) | 30 | 18 |
| Fri., Nov. 27 | 27 | 18 |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | 32 | 24 |
| Sun., Nov. 29 | 7 | 10 |
| All four days | 6 | 7 |
Spots are from the RunSignup registration page on Oct. 11, 2026. Sunday and the four-day packages will go first.
- Start: 7 a.m. every day. Running the Distance says there is no time limit; RunSignup shows each day's event window as 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Price: $95 a day or $380 for all four (half or full) through Nov. 14. After that, RunSignup goes to $105 a day ($400 for four), then $115 a day ($410) on race day. Online registration ends at noon the day before each race, or sooner if it fills.
- Swag: a medal for every race, a series finisher medal, and one shirt for the whole series (guaranteed if you register 30 or more days out).
- Aid: every 3 miles, with sports drink, water, pretzels and bananas. You can leave a cooler or bag by the aid area. Restrooms are around the lake and parking is free.
- Packet pickup: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5–7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Dallas–Love Field (the host hotel), or race mornings 5:30–6 a.m. at the pavilion. It closes at 6 a.m. sharp.
- Charity and policies: the organizer says 20% of proceeds go to the National MS Society. No refunds or transfers.
Missed Thanksgiving? The same organizer runs the Texas Double at Bachman Lake on Dec. 19–20, with a half, marathon and 50K each day. RunSignup lists $105 a day or $210 for both through Oct. 31.
Colorado River Run: 250K, 100 miles and a ruck at McKinney Roughs
The Colorado River Run is a Fit Foundation trail race at McKinney Roughs Nature Park (1884 State Highway 71 West, Cedar Creek), between Austin and Bastrop. The race describes a loop course along the Colorado River: riverbank, single-track and dirt paths with some technical sections and "moderate" climbing. You come through the start/finish aid station, with hot food, pickle juice and cold drinks, every loop. The race hasn't published the loop length or total elevation gain.
| Distance | Start | Cutoff | Fee now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250K | Fri., Nov. 27, 7 a.m.* | Sun., Nov. 29, 7 a.m. | $359.99 |
| 100 miles | Fri., Nov. 27, 9 a.m. | Sat., Nov. 28, 11:30 p.m. | $229.99 |
| 50 miles | Fri., Nov. 27, 9 a.m. | Sat., Nov. 28, 9:30 p.m. | $189.99 |
| 50K | Sat., Nov. 28, 9 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. | $149.99 |
| Marathon | Sat., Nov. 28, 9 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. | $139.99 |
| Half marathon (run or ruck) | Sat., Nov. 28, 9 a.m. | 5 p.m. | $109.99 |
| 10K / 5K | Sat., Nov. 28, 9 a.m. | 5 p.m. | $79.99 / $59.99 |
| Kids run | Sat., Nov. 28, 9 a.m. | Noon | $15 |
*Starts and cutoffs are from the "Race Distances" section of the RunSignup page. The same page's event list shows the 250K at 8 a.m., and the Fit Foundation page lists different short-race cutoffs, so confirm with the race (info@atxactive.com) before you build a pacing plan around them. Registration for most events closes Nov. 26; register by Nov. 7 to guarantee a shirt.
- Pacers are allowed after mile 62 for the 250K, mile 50 for the 100 and mile 30 for the 50, one at a time, for a $15 fee and waiver.
- Ruck division: a minimum dry pack weight of 20 pounds for ruckers under 150 pounds and 30 pounds for everyone else, weighed before the start and again at the finish. Ruckers have their own awards.
- Finisher awards: a custom medal for everyone and a buckle for the ultras. A 250K finish also earns the Rio Colorado Ultra Slam buckle, which normally takes 250K across Fit Foundation's 2026 races.
- Park entry is included for runners. Spectators pay the park's $5 entry ($3 seniors, under 13 free). No pets.
- Family: parents can run or walk the 5K with their registered kids at no extra cost. Proceeds support Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park.
The race posts course records of 29:26:45 for the 100 miles and 8:35:56 for the 50 miles. That gives a sense of how much slower these loops run than a road course. One thing it is not: a Western States qualifier. It isn't on the Western States list, and the race doesn't claim it. If you need a qualifier this winter, our Texas ultra season guide covers Brazos Bend, Bandera and Rocky Raccoon.
Which one fits you?
- Chasing states or Maniacs stars: the Quad. Paved, flat-ish, aid every 3 miles, and you can stop after any day.
- Want a first 100 or something bigger: the Colorado River Run. A loop course brings you back to a hot-food aid station every lap, so a crew can meet you in one spot, and pacers are allowed for the back half.
- Just want a holiday race: both have shorter options, and our turkey trots in Texas page lists every Thanksgiving 5K and 10K. Starting from scratch? Our turkey trot 5K plan still leaves time.
For more multi-day and timed formats, see ultramarathons in Texas. If you'd rather run one marathon well than four in a row, the Fort Worth Marathon (Nov. 8) and Dallas Marathon (Dec. 13) are the North Texas options.
