What To Know Ahead Of The 2026 Zilker Relays

While the temperatures may not exactly drop with the arrival of fall in Central Texas, what we can guarantee is the beginning of another racing season.

On Friday, the annual Zilker Relays, a 10-mile relay and one of the city’s most well-known running events, returns to Austin.

Held at Zilker Metropolitan Park and presented by Austin Runners Club, the Zilker Relays hosts thousands of runners and essentially kicks off the next few months of races across the Central Texas calendar.

Proceeds from the race benefit Marathon Kids, a nonprofit organization aimed at getting kids active and outside.

Here’s what to expect on Friday at the Zilker Relays.

What are the Zilker Relays?

The event, an annual centerpiece of Austin’s road racing calendar, is a 10-mile relay which features teams of four breaking up 2.5-mile segments up and down the Zilker Park blacktop. Teams of varying speeds lace up and take on the course.

When are the Zilker Relays?

Officially, the Zilker Relays kick off on September 11, 2026, at Zilker Metropolitan Park. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. starting with the kids’ 400-yard and 200-yard dashes, followed by the relay race at 6:30 p.m.

What’s the experience like at the Zilker Relays?

This event is reminiscent of what you might find at a lot of half marathon and marathon experiences. There is the race itself, but along the way there’s also a post-race dinner from Tacodeli, drinks and refreshments from Zilker Brewing Company and live music from area bands. A host of fitness and wellness vendors will also be scattered outside the course.

Thousands of runners set off for the 2025 Zilker Relays. Photo Credit: Cory Mull/Austin Fit Magazine

Where Can I Park?

If you want on-site parking near Zilker Park, the gravel lot is charging $25 per vehicle.  There are some disclaimers for that lot, though. Your car must be in the lot by 5 p.m. and vehicles will not be able to exit the lot until 9:30 p.m. (when the race is officially over). If you’re willing to walk, there are several areas around Zilker where parking will be accessible.

Can I Watch The Race From Zilker Park?

Certainly. There are ample areas to view the race from the Zilker Park green.

What’s the history of the Zilker Relays?

Heading into its 23rd year, the Zilker Relays is unlike any race in Austin in that it is the only event that can exclusively say its course is held at Zilker Park. Last year, long-time participant and Austin Runners Club president Iram Leon also become its race director.

Perhaps the only serious race to be held at Zilker Park previous to relays’ origins in 2003 was the University Interscholastic League Cross Country Championships, which called the park home from 1975 to 1977 before it moved to Georgetown and later to Round Rock.