Fields of Gold 50 Miler • 50K • Marathon • Half Marathon & Ruck • 12 Hour • 1 Hour • 10K • 5K
Date and time
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, Marble Falls, TX
Date and time
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, Marble Falls, TX
Date and time
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, Marble Falls, TX
FIELDS OF GOLD TRAIL RUN
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area - A Celebration of Fall's Golden Glory
Location: 706 County Road 343A, Marble Falls, TX 78654 Terrain: Rolling hills, meadow trails, and lakeside paths Benefits: HKRS Cedar Park Youth Running Programs Experience the breathtaking transformation of Texas Hill Country as autumn paints the landscape in brilliant shades of gold, amber, and crimson. The Fields of Gold Trail Run offers runners an unforgettable journey through some of the most spectacular fall scenery in Central Texas.
RACE OPTIONS
12-Hour Endurance Challenge, 50-Miler, 50K and Marathon (26.2 miles)
The ultimate autumn challenge featuring diverse terrain through golden grasslands, wooded valleys, and scenic overlooks
The 12-Hour Endurance Challenge Final Hour "Golden Loop" Rule (8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
8:00 PM Main Course Cut-off: At exactly 8:00 PM CDT, the main trail loop will close to all 12-Hour runners. No one will be allowed out on the main course after this time. The Short Loop Staging: Between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, all remaining runners will switch to a designated, shortened 1-mile basecamp loop to accumulate final mileage. The 9:00 PM Hard Stop: You can run as many short loops as you can manage in that final hour, but you must cross the finish line mat before the clock strikes 9:00 PM CDT for a loop to count. Any loop in progress at 9:00 PM will not be recorded, so time your final sprint wisely!
Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
Perfect for experiencing the best of fall foliage on a challenging yet achievable course
10K Trail Run
A scenic route showcasing the park's most photogenic autumn vistas
5K Harvest Fun Run
Family-friendly course through golden meadows, perfect for all ages and abilities
12-Hour Endurance Challenge
Start Time: 9:00 AM Cut-off: 12-hour continuous endurance challenge Winner determined by total miles covered No set distance - push your personal limits Aid stations and support provided
Gold Hour Endurance Challenge
Run into the Golden Hour.
As the sun lowers over the Texas fields and the light turns gold, the trail comes alive.
The Gold Hour Trail Challenge is a 60-minute endurance test set on a scenic 4-mile out-and-back course. When the horn sounds, runners will have one hour to cover as much distance as possible — pushing toward the turnaround and racing the light back to the finish. Run hard. Settle into rhythm. Or chase one more lap before time expires.
Night Trail Running Safety Your safety is our priority during this trail event. Participants running the dark hours must have:
Headlamp (required) - with fresh batteries Backup light source (recommended) Reflective clothing or vest Personal hydration system Cell phone for emergency communications
WHAT MAKES THIS SPECIAL
Peak Fall Colors: Timed perfectly to coincide with autumn's most spectacular display when native grasses turn golden and trees showcase their fall brilliance
Fields of Gold: Run through expansive meadows of native Texas grasses that shimmer like gold in the autumn sunlight
Harvest Celebration: Post-race festivities
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.
Timed events count the distance you actually cover, so the 12 Hour at Fields of Gold, and backyardultras can each put significant kilometers on the board.
A RUN WITH PURPOSE: Supporting HKRS Cedar Park Youth Programs
Limited financial resources, lack of access to youth sports programs, social isolation, and barriers to healthy lifestyle activities are just some of the challenges young people face in accessing running programs. Through HKRS Cedar Park's 5-week fall and spring racing series, mentorship opportunities, and having a supportive community presence, HKRS Cedar Park helps kids build confidence, develop healthy habits, and overcome obstacles to active living.
HKRS Cedar Park is part of a nationally recognized organization. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit it offers registration assistance to ensure all children can participate regardless of their family's financial situation, and anyone can access their programs including families new to running. All of their programs are welcoming, inclusive, and tailored to each individual child's age and ability level. Your money helps to do this.
You can donate directly to HKRS Cedar Park here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/TX/CedarPark/HKRSCedarParkTX
After deducting expenses, all remaining proceeds from the Fields of Gold Trail Run will benefit HKRS Cedar Park's youth running programs. Your participation directly supports:
Registration assistance for families who cannot afford program fees Essential equipment including race bibs, timing equipment, and safety materials Program expansion to reach more children in the Cedar Park community Volunteer training and coordinator development Community outreach to underserved families
"When you run through these golden fields, you're not just covering miles — you're helping ensure every child in Cedar Park has the opportunity to experience the joy of running and develop lifelong healthy habits!"
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Lakeview, Osprey, Equine, Legacy Loop: Run through expansive fields of native grasses at their autumn peak Scenic Overlook Ridge: Panoramic views of the surrounding Hill Country in full fall splendor Osprey and Odyssey Trail: Peaceful wooded sections with fall foliage reflected in clear running water Homestead finish: Timed finish to capture the golden hour light across the fields
RACE EXPERIENCE
All participants receive a custom harvest-themed finisher's medal, race shirt featuring original autumn artwork, and access to the post-race celebration. Aid stations feature seasonal favorites like apple cider, pumpkin cookie bites, and warming beverages.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
Custom finisher medal Race shirt Post-race harvest celebration Scenic course through peak autumn landscape
Event Management: The Fields of Gold Trail Run is managed and organized by Fit Foundation volunteers in aid of Healthy Kids Running Series Cedar Park youth programs.
Note: Due to the seasonal nature of fall foliage, this event is scheduled during peak color time. Trail conditions are weather-dependent, and routes may be adjusted to protect natural areas.
★★★ REGISTER TODAY! ★★★
RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THIS GOLDEN AUTUMN ADVENTURE
Where every mile supports young runners and celebrates fall's most beautiful colors!
SECURE YOUR SPOT FOR THIS UNIQUE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY EXPERIENCE!
Fit Foundation
Half Marathon Ruck
13.1 miles. Same trail. Weight on your back.
Rucking is covering ground with a loaded pack. Same course as the half marathon, same start, same finish line, same cutoff. The only difference is what you are carrying and who you are racing.
Ruckers are scored as their own division with their own results and their own awards. You are not competing against the runners and they are not competing against you.
Minimum pack weight
20 lb · 30 lb
20 lb if you weigh under 150 lb. 30 lb if you weigh 150 lb or over.
The rules
Weigh in before the start. Bring your pack to the start area at least 30 minutes before your wave. We weigh it, we tag it, you go. Water does not count. Your hydration, food, phone and layers are on top of the minimum. The weight is dry weight. Any weight is fine. Ruck plates, bricks, sand, books, dumbbells. It has to be secure and it has to stay in the pack for the whole course. You finish with what you started with. Weight is checked again at the finish. Anything under the minimum moves you out of the ruck division. Carry it yourself. No handing your pack off, no dragging, no wheels. Run, walk, or anything between. There is no rule about how you move, only about what you carry. Rucking counts toward your Run the River mileage exactly the same as running. Thirteen point one miles is thirteen point one miles.
First time rucking?
A loaded pack on a trail is harder than the same distance on your feet, and most people go out too quick. A few things that help:
Train with the weight before race day. Even two or three loaded walks makes a difference to your shoulders. Get the load high and tight against your back. Weight that sits low and swings will wreck you by mile six. Wear the socks and shoes you have already tested. Rucking changes how your feet hit the ground. Pack the weight so it cannot shift. Movement inside the pack is the most common reason people stop.
Same trail. Same finish line.
Considerably more of it on your back.
50.0 mi
31.1 mi
Marathon
Half marathon
10K
5K