The Backland

The Backland, sponsored by Nature Nate's, is a last-man-standing trail race near the Texas–Oklahoma border, held at Walnut Creek Resort & Marina in Gordonville, Texas. The course is mostly trail with some road, built around 4.5-mile loops called “lands.” A field is limited to 38 entrants. Each hour a land starts; finish within an hour, you wait for the next start; fail to finish or quit, and you’re out.

The final runner standing earns $1,000, a large trophy, and a six-pack of beer or root beer. All finishers receive a Backland long-sleeve shirt; longer mileage earns a belt buckle (103.5 miles = 23 lands; 153 miles = 34 lands). There’s a best-setup trophy, and lodging options at Walnut Creek. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.