South Texas Ultra 2026

The South Texas Ultra takes runners to the H.W. Lewis Ranch near Leakey in the Texas Hill Country. The course features rugged ATV trails from the start. The race occurs in October and includes 5K, 17K, 35K, and 50K distances, along with a 17K ruck race. The longer races begin before dawn, requiring headlamps. Participants in the 17K, 35K, and 50K must carry a minimum of 32 ounces of fluid. Most distances follow a loop of approximately 10.7 miles, consisting of rocky, dirt, and grass terrain, starting and finishing at the ranch. The 5K follows a separate route. The loop includes flat and rolling sections before the STU climb, which ascends about 780 feet per lap. The 50K accumulates over 2,300 feet of climbing. Aid stations provide hot and cold food, snacks, water, electrolytes, pickle juice, and ice. A pacer is permitted on the final loop of the 50K. The ruck race requires pack weights of 20 pounds for participants under a certain weight and 30 pounds for those above.