25k, 50k
September 27th 2025

Sky Island (9th annual)

On a fall weekend in west Texas, a little race called Sky Island takes place. We gather to test ourselves on rugged mile-high trail and celebrate under the brightest stars, because at the end of the day…. nothing else matters. This race course boasts views of Fort Davis, McDonald Observatories, Indian Lodge, and a seemingly endless sky. Sky Island was created in 2015 with one goal: to bring trail runners out to play in the mountains. We dreamed it would feel like summer camp, a place to gather every fall, in the middle of the high, west Texas desert.

We have reserved the entirety of the historic Prude Ranch. The ranch offers rooms, cabins, RV sites with hook ups, and bunkhouse style lodging. Book lodging for Prude Ranch here.

You may also have an RV, travel trailer, or camper van delivered to Prude Ranch or Davis Mts State Park through Outdoorsy here

Timing

Each race has a briefing 15 mins before start (bring a headlamp to race)

5:30a - start 50k
7:30a - start 25k
7:45a - sunrise

9:00a - 50k through park entrance

11:15p - All Race Cut Off @ Skyline outbound

12:30p - All Race Cut Off @ Skyline Inbound

1:25p - All Race Cut Off 50K at park entrance return

4:30p - All Race Cutoff *Extended from previous years.

Cutoff Paces: Approx 21 min/mile 50k & Approx 33 min/mile 25k

Lunch + awards + festivities happen all afternoon!

Packet Pickup

Prude Ranch -

201 Prude Guest Ranch Rd, Fort Davis, TX 79734


Friday, September 26 from 2-7pm

  • meet other racers, ask the race directors questions, and get to know more about this beautiful area

  • 8 pm - Sunset

Finishers

All finishers receive an award and a post race meal! Make sure to hang on to your bib because its your meal ticket.

Prize Winners!

1st M/F winners in each race & 1st M/F masters category will receive a pair of La Sportiva trail shoes. 2nd & 3rd overall will also receive a La Sportiva apparel item or gift card.

Results

2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016

 

Location- Davis Mountains State Park & Prude Ranch

All runners share the start and finish at the Prude Ranch adjacent to the Davis Mountains. The Davis Mountains form one of only three unique sky islands in Texas—a cooler, wetter landscape surrounded by arid lowland desert. Book your room today!

Maps & Course Info

50k - 4323’ gain | map | stations | cX Rating™️: 257.0 / Very Hard

Actual mileage = 31.1 Mile

The 2024 50k course starts and finishes at Prude Ranch. The first 5 miles will have 800 feet of climbing, then a flat(ish) couple miles before descending down into Sheep Pens Gulch. You’ll cross under the highway, then enter Davis Mountains State Park. The Montezuma Quail Trail takes you up to our steepest section of the course: the Indian Lodge climb! You’ll descend fast down a technical trail to Indian Lodge, where you’ll turn around and run back up that beast! The race course will take you to Skyline and then make our classic loop through Fort Davis (past all the old historic buildings) and back down the CCC trail. You’ll retrace your steps back under the highway, and then take the most direct route back to Prude Ranch!

25k - 2050’ gain | map | stations | cX Rating™️: 230.5 / Very Hard

Actual mileage = 17 Mile (a long 25k)

The 2024 25k race starts and finishes from Prude Ranch. This course has three noteworthy climbs (check the elevation profile). You’ll begin with a burley 500 foot climb, then descend down into Sheep Pens Gulch and cross under the highway. From there, you’ll enter the Davis Mountain State Park and begin your climbing up Skyline Ridge. This will lead you to your loop of the historic Fort Davis! You’ll climb out, via Hospital Gulch, and down the newly renovated CCC trail. You’ll leave the park and retrace your steps back to Prude Ranch!

*routes may be subject to change

Preparing for Your Race

Policies

Changing Race Distances/ Transferring Bibs / Withdraw & Deferrals

You are allowed to change your race distance up until Aug 27th days. We allow bib transfers up until Aug 27th. We are offering race credits up to Aug 28th. We are offering a 50% deferral credit (valid for 1 year) towards any race we offer. Instructions to change your distance, transfer a bib, or withdraw can be found here. After you follow the process you and the race director will receive a confirmation email. If you are withdrawing we will make note of your credit and have it available for you for the following year.

Dogs
You must adhere to venue rules. For locations that allow it, a dog may run with you, but must remain your sole responsibility, be well behaved, in your control, and on leash at all times. Prude Ranch allows dogs in certain rooms and at the RV sites.

Injury
Each race has medical staff on hand. If you are injured seriously, we will get you to expert medical care as soon as possible.

Medical Support
Many of our volunteers have received training in emergency medicine, and we will have a trained EMT on site.

Aid Stations & Guests

Aid and park entry fees are for participants only.

Hydration

We are cup-less. Please plan accordingly. If you forget your cup we have Trail Roots Hydrapak cups on-site for sale.

Food

Salty stuff such as pretzels, chips, PB&J or PB & jelly, pickles, oranges, chewy candy

Drinks

Skratch Labs electrolyte drink, Coke, Mt Dew, Water, Pickle Juice

Vehicles

Parking is near the race start/finish line. Access to aid stations is by foot; vehicles won’t have direct access to aid stations. If need be vehicles can access the aid station in the Davis Mts State Park, but you will need to pay your entry into the park.

Drop bags

Due to the route this year, drop bags will not be accessible throughout the race.

Pacers

There are no pacers allowed.

Race Plans

We also offer semi-custom and fully customized race plans. All plans have been specially developed by our race director and tailored for the race, distance, and your experience level. Fully customized plans are available with 1:1 virtual coaching.

Photos

Volunteer

Volunteers are great way to give back or get credit towards your future races. You must be able to take care of your own lodging, transportation, flats etc. and other gear. It sounds tough (and it can be), but volunteers love the work. No matter what your talent or capabilities, if you want to volunteer, we can find a job for you.

All volunteers must be able to read, write and speak English. Spanish fluency is much appreciated since we have runners from Mexico and South America.

Race Beneficiary

A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Texas State Parks and Wildlife.

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for generously supporting our race.