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Star of Texas 50 Miler • 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • One Mile Challenge • Last Person Standing (Speedyard) logo

Star of Texas 50 Miler • 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • One Mile Challenge • Last Person Standing (Speedyard)

Date
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Dec 13 Sunday, 2026
Registration open· closes Dec 12, 2026 Register Now

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When and where is Star of Texas 50 Miler • 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • One Mile Challenge • Last Person Standing (Speedyard)?

Star of Texas 50 Miler • 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • One Mile Challenge • Last Person Standing (Speedyard) is on Sunday, December 13, 2026 in Spicewood, Texas. The first event starts at 7:00 AM local time. Distances: 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, ultra and walk. Current entry fees run $25 to $199.99 on RunSignup, before processing fees. Online registration is open and closes Dec 12, 2026.

Star of Texas race guide

The Star of Texas is a Fit Foundation road race on a 1.64-mile paved loop at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood, west of Austin, on Sunday, December 13, 2026, with a 50 miler, 50K, marathon, half, 10K, 5K and a shrinking-clock “Speedyard.” The marathon course is USATF-certified and marketed as a Boston qualifier.

Venue
Pace Bend Park, Spicewood
Loop
1.64 mi, paved
Marathon
16 loops, USATF-certified
50 miler start
7:00 a.m.
Marathon cutoff
3:00 p.m.
Finishers get
Medal and challenge coin

Star of Texas FAQ

When does the Star of Texas start?

Sunday, December 13, 2026, at Pace Bend Park, Spicewood: 50 miler at 7 a.m., 50K at 9, marathon and half at 9:30, 5K at 10, Speedyard at 10:30 and 10K at 3 p.m.

How much does the Star of Texas cost?

Current RunSignup entry fees, before processing fees: The Star of Texas 50 Mile Ultramarathon $199.99; The Star of Texas 50K $169.99; The Star of Texas Marathon $129.99 ($139.99 from December 5); Holiday Victory Half Marathon $109.99 ($119.99 from December 5); Holiday Victory 10k $69.99 ($79.99 from December 5); Holiday Victory 5K $59.99 ($69.99 from December 5); Speedyard 4 (Fastest Person Standing- 4 Hours) $49.99; Exceptional Athlete (Fitworks) Half- Marathon $35. 3 more entries are listed in the events table. Prices in parentheses are the next RunSignup tier.

Is the Star of Texas Marathon a Boston qualifier?

The marathon course is USATF-certified (TX25015LAB) and the race markets it as a Boston qualifier. The Speedyard does not count as one.

What is the Star of Texas course?

A fully paved 1.64-mile loop with moderate climbs and gentle descents: 16 loops for the marathon, 8 for the half, 4 for the 10K and 2 for the 5K. Runners can set up personal aid, reachable every loop.

What are the Star of Texas cutoffs?

Marathoners must finish by 3 p.m.; those who complete 8 loops get a half-marathon medal. Half marathoners need 2 loops by 10 a.m., 4 by 11, 6 by noon and all 8 by 1 p.m.

What is the Speedyard?

A 75-runner elimination race of up to 15 loops (24.6 miles): seven rounds of two loops with a clock that shrinks from 40 to 25 minutes, then a final all-out loop at 2:30 p.m. The fastest survivor is Speedyard Champion, and a full Speedyard counts 39.6 km toward the Rio Colorado Ultra Slam.

Can you have a pacer at the Star of Texas?

In the marathon and ultras, one at a time, joining after the first loop, with advance registration, a signed waiver and a PACER bib.

What are the Star of Texas course records?

50K: Benjamin Przybocki 4:20:56 and Jabsy Diaz 7:27:40. Marathon: Gabriel Karp 2:50:19. Half: Edwin Pagan 1:14:40.

Race facts checked November 9, 2026 against RunSignup: Star of Texas and RunSignup: Star of Texas events. Entry fees come from RunSignup. Always confirm details with the race before you travel.

Events & distances

EventDistanceStartEntry feeRegistration
The Star of Texas 50 Mile UltramarathonUltraDec 13, 2026, 7:00 AM$199.99 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Dec 24, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
The Star of Texas 50K50KDec 13, 2026, 9:00 AM$169.99 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Dec 20, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
The Star of Texas Marathon26.2 MilesDec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$129.99 until Dec 4, 2026Opens Dec 20, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Holiday Victory Half Marathon13.1 MilesDec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$109.99 until Dec 4, 2026Opens Dec 20, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Pacer Registration (Marathon and Ultra Only)UltraDec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$39.99 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Dec 21, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Exceptional Athlete (Fitworks) 5K5KDec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$25.00 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Oct 15, 2026 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Exceptional Athlete (Fitworks) 10K10KDec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$25.00 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Oct 15, 2026 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Exceptional Athlete (Fitworks) Half- MarathonHalfDec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$35.00 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Oct 15, 2026 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Exceptional Athlete Guide (Fitworks)—Dec 13, 2026, 9:30 AM$0.00 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Oct 15, 2026 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Holiday Victory 5K3.1 MilesDec 13, 2026, 10:00 AM$59.99 until Dec 4, 2026Opens Dec 20, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Speedyard 4 (Fastest Person Standing- 4 Hours)—Dec 13, 2026, 10:30 AM$49.99 until Dec 11, 2026Opens Aug 17, 2026 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
Holiday Victory 10k6.2 MilesDec 13, 2026, 3:00 PM$69.99 until Dec 4, 2026Opens Dec 20, 2025 · Closes Dec 11, 2026
ONE Mile Glow Run/Walk Challenge1 MilesDec 13, 2026, 5:00 PM$29.99 until Dec 12, 2026Opens Nov 12, 2026 · Closes Dec 12, 2026

Fees shown are the RunSignup price tier in effect now, before processing fees. Times are local to the race.

About Star of Texas 50 Miler • 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon • 10K • 5K • One Mile Challenge • Last Person Standing (Speedyard)

Star of Texas 50 Miler, 50K

Boston Qualifying Marathon,

Half-Marathon, 10K & 5K

One Mile Glow Challenge and The Speedyard

December 13th at 9:30 AM | Pace Bend Park

50M, 50K, MARATHON

HALF MARATHON

10K

5OK

THE SPEEDYARD • ONE MILE CHALLENGE

A winter running celebration with stunning lake

views and Boston Marathon qualification potential!

🏆

BQ ALERT

BOSTON QUALIFIER ALERT!

This is a USATF-certified marathon course: Certification code: TX25015LAB. Course specifically designed with Boston qualification in mind! Our 1.64-mile loop format allows runners to master the course with each lap, creating the perfect opportunity to strategically pace your way to a BQ time.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

🔄

Strategic Loop Design

1.64 miles per loop (16 loops for full marathon, 8 for half)

🛣

100% Paved Surface

Smooth, consistent running conditions for optimal performance

⏱

Perfect Pacing Opportunity

Learn the course quickly and optimize your speed on every section

🔥

Or Race the Clock Itself

The Speedyard turns the same loop into a seven round elimination on a shrinking clock, decided by one final loop at 2:30 PM

🥤

Personal Aid Station

Set up your nutrition exactly how you want it and access it every 1.64 miles

Rio Colorado Ultra Slam

Every Fit Foundation finish counts toward the Rio Colorado 250. Complete 250 km across our 2026 races and the buckle is yours, in addition to your individual race awards.

COURSE DETAILS

The paved course features moderate climbs and gentle descents. This balanced profile prevents the quad fatigue of excessive downhill courses while providing enough variety to engage different muscle groups.

Holiday Victory Ultra (50M & 50K), Star of Texas Marathon and Half Marathon

Holiday Victory 10K

Holiday Victory 5K

The Speedyard

BOSTON QUALIFICATION ADVANTAGE

Our unique loop course format offers strategic benefits for Boston hopefuls! The marathon course is USATF-certified (certification code: TX25015LAB) and a Boston Marathon qualifier, carefully designed to help runners achieve qualifying times. The loop format lets you become intimately familiar with every turn and elevation change.

By your third lap, you'll know exactly where to push and where to conserve energy, a strategic advantage for hitting your Boston Marathon qualification attempt!

Course Records

Star of Texas 50K: Benjamin Przybocki (M)– 4:20:56; Jabsy Diaz (F)– 7:27:40

The Star of Texas Marathon- Gabriel Karp (M)– 2:50:19

USATF Half Marathon: Edwin Pagan (M)– 1:14:40

Holiday Victory Half Marathon (Non-USATF) - Morgan Mengini (F)– 1:27:31

🔥 NEW FORMAT

THE SPEEDYARD

Seven Rounds to Earn the Final Loop

10:30 AM start • A shrinking clock on the certified 1.64 mile paved loop

Every round is two loops of the Pace Bend course (3.28 miles), and every round starts on the horn. Finish inside the window and you are in the next round. Miss it by a second and your day is done. Whatever time you have left over is the only rest you get, so speed buys recovery and going out hard buys nothing.

Then the clock starts shrinking. Round 1 asks for 12:12 per mile. Round 7 asks for 7:37. Clear all seven and you have earned a spot on the line at 2:30 PM for one final loop, flat out, fastest time takes the title.

THE CLOCK

RoundHorn everyPace to surviveClock time
1 and 240:0012:12 / mile10:30 to 11:50
3 and 435:0010:40 / mile11:50 to 1:00
5 and 630:009:09 / mile1:00 to 2:00
725:007:37 / mile2:00 to 2:25
FINAL LOOPOne loop, all outFastest wins2:30 PM start

Fifteen loops. 24.6 miles. Nobody is expected to get there, and most of the field will not.

⏱

Starts Wide Open

Round 1 asks for 12:12 per mile. If you can run a 10K, you can start this race.

🧠

Speed Buys Rest

Run the round in 30 minutes on a 40 minute clock and you bank 10. Run it in 39 and you get one.

🏁

Stop When You Choose

Every round you complete is scored and recorded. Step off after Round 4 and you still ran 13.1 miles.

🏆

Settled on the Line

Survive Round 7 and you start the final loop even with everyone else. One loop decides it.

HOW IT ACTUALLY WORKS

Corral start. Every round begins from the start corral on the horn. You must be in the corral when it sounds, whether you finished the last round with ten minutes to spare or ten seconds.

Two loops per round. Chip timing records every loop. Cross the line after the window closes and your race is over. No appeals, no partial credit.

Milestone recognition. Finishers are recognized at Round 2 (6.56 mi), Round 4 (13.1 mi), and Round 7 (22.96 mi). Pick your target and race to it.

The final loop. Everyone who completes Round 7 lines up at 2:30 PM for one loop, scratch start, fastest time wins. Whether you cleared Round 7 with six minutes to spare or six seconds, you start even. Margin banked in the earlier rounds buys you recovery, not a head start.

Title and Assist. The fastest final loop is the Speedyard Champion. Second across the line takes the Assist, the runner who made the champion earn it.

If nobody clears Round 7. Round 7 is a hard ask by design, and there may be no final loop at all. In that case the Speedyard Champion is the runner who posted the fastest Round 6, counted among everyone who started Round 7. The Assist goes to the second fastest. No further running is required and the result stands on the timing already recorded.

The same course advantage applies. You will know every climb and descent by Round 2, and your personal aid station sits at the start corral, so you pass your own nutrition twice per round.

Counts toward the Rio Colorado 250. A full Speedyard is 39.6 km toward your 250 km buckle. Every round you complete counts.

The Speedyard is a timed elimination format and is not a Boston qualifier. Runners chasing a BQ should enter the certified marathon.

EVENT FEATURES

✓

Chip timing

Accurate splits and finish times for all participants

✓

Frequent split times

Track your progress every lap to perfect your pacing

✓

Spectator-friendly format

Your supporters can cheer you on multiple times without moving, and the Speedyard final loop at 2:30 PM is the best seat of the day

✓

Finisher recognition

Challenge coin and medal for all finishers

✓

Part of winter series

Advent Run to New Year Challenge and Winter Marathon Series

PACE REQUIREMENTS

M

The Star of Texas Marathon Challenge

Checkpoint Guidance for those aiming for a sub-4 goal:

  • 9:45 AM: Complete at least 3 loops (4.65 miles)
  • 10:30 AM: Complete at least 6 loops (9.3 miles)
  • 11:15 AM: Complete at least 9 loops (13.95 miles)
  • 12:00 PM: Complete at least 12 loops (18.6 miles)
  • 12:30 PM: Complete at least 15 loops (23.25 miles)
  • 1:00 PM: Complete all loops (26.2 miles)

Personal Pacers Welcome
Personal pacers are welcome at our Star of Texas Marathon event! For a nominal fee, pacers will receive park entry, insurance coverage, and an official PACER bib. Each registered runner may have only one pacer on course at any time, and pacers may join their runner after the first loop.

Our unique loop format creates the perfect environment for pacing support, allowing pacers to join or exit at the start/finish area and access personal aid stations alongside their runner.

Pacers must register in advance, sign the event waiver, and follow all race rules including wearing their designated bib at all times. For Boston Qualifier hopefuls, rest assured that our pacer policy complies with BAA requirements. Whether you need support for the full marathon or just those challenging final miles, our pacer-friendly course design offers the ideal setting for achieving your race day goals.

H

Half Marathon (8 loops)

Maintain 18:13/mile pace or faster (28:15 per loop) to finish before the cutoff

Checkpoint Guidance:

  • 10:00 AM: Complete at least 2 loops (3.1 miles)
  • 11:00 AM: Complete at least 4 loops (6.2 miles)
  • 12:00 PM: Complete at least 6 loops (9.3 miles)
  • 1:00 PM: Complete all loops (13.175 miles)

Special Provision: Marathon participants who complete at least 8 loops (half marathon distance) but don't finish the full marathon by the 3:00 PM cutoff will receive official half marathon recognition and their medal.

10K

5K

10K & 5K Distances

10K participants will complete four full loops of our scenic course, while 5K runners will conquer two loops. All finishers earn a commemorative medal.

SY

The Speedyard (up to 15 loops)

There is no finish time to beat. There is a horn every round, and you are either on the line for it or you are done.

Round Windows:

  • 10:30 AM: Round 1 horn. Rounds 1 and 2 on a 40:00 clock (12:12/mi)
  • 11:50 AM: Rounds 3 and 4 on a 35:00 clock (10:40/mi)
  • 1:00 PM: Rounds 5 and 6 on a 30:00 clock (9:09/mi)
  • 2:00 PM: Round 7 on a 25:00 clock (7:37/mi)
  • 2:30 PM: Final loop, all out, fastest time wins

Mandatory briefing at 10:05 AM in the start corral. If you have not run a horn start race before, this is where you learn how the corral works. Registration closes one week out and there are no walk up entries.

Personal pacers are not permitted in the Speedyard. Crew, chairs and coolers are welcome in the designated corral area.

READY FOR YOUR HOLIDAY VICTORY?

Join us at Pace Bend Park on December 13th for a unique loop course experience with Boston Qualifier potential, and a brand new way to race it.

REGISTER NOW

Description provided by the race organizer via RunSignup.

Race data provided by RunSignup and refreshed every morning(last sync Nov 13, 2026). Registration happens on RunSignup; Lone Star Strides may earn a referral commission at no cost to you. Always confirm dates and details on the official race page.

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