25k, 50k
September 27th 2025
Sky Island (9th annual)
Part of Texas Trail Championship
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.
For 2025 we will reserve the entirety of the historic Prude Ranch and the Indian Lodge for runners and their family. They offer rooms, cabins, RV sites with hook ups, and bunkhouse style lodging. We will post all lodging and availability updates here.
All finishers receive an award and a post race meal! Make sure to hang on to your bib because its your meal ticket.
Awards: 1st M/F winners in each race & 1st M/F masters category. 2nd & 3rd overall will also receive an award
Results: 2024| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Photos 2024
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 - 3901’ gain | map | stations | cX Rating™️: 244.3.0 / Very Hard
Actual mileage = 31.1 Mile
The 2025 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 run to the top of the climb and drop down behind the Indian Lodge. From there you’ll cut through the Indian Lodge parking lot and onto the park road for just over 1/2 mile. Take a right onto Skyline drive where you’ll connect to the Old CCC trail entrance. The race course will take you up the Old CCC trail to Skyline and then make our classic loop through Fort Davis (past all the old historic buildings) and back down the Skyline trail. You’ll retrace your steps back under the highway, and then back through the Primitive loop the same way you started.
25k - 2050’ gain | map | stations | cX Rating™️: 220.8 / Very Hard
*Actual mileage = 17 Mile (a TEXAS sized 25k)
The 2025 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 the Old CCC trail. This will lead you towards the historic Fort Davis! You’ll have some scenic overlooks of Fort Davis and the mountains before looping back on the Skyline trail. You’ll leave the park and retrace your steps back to Prude Ranch!
*routes may be subject to change
Race Schedule
Preparing for Your Race
Policies
Changing Race Distances
We use RunSignup.com for registration. You may change your race distance up to 30 days before race day. See your confirmation email with a link to edit registration or see Distance Change Instructions
Transferring Bibs
We do not allow bib transfers.
Refunds/Credits
We do not offer credits, deferrals, or refunds. We recommend you purchase the race insurance offered when you register. You may withdraw yourself from a race, by logging into your runsignup account or through your registration confirmation email. We are no longer responding to emails regarding transfers, credits, or cancelations
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
Park Fees
Park fees are covered 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.
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.