Can you run 4.17-ish miles in ONE hour?
And then do it again and again and again….
…until you are the LAST ONE STANDING?!
The 2022 inaugural GO ALOHA YOURSELF Backyard Ultra is Hawai’i’s first backyard event! The course is still being finalized, but will definitely take place on the island of Oahu. Day and night loops will not change and elevation gain/loss will be minimal.
Come see what you’re made of!
Come tackle a Backyard Ultra… Hawaiian style!
EVENT DETAILS
“The race format where you are always tied for the lead….
Until you give up..
The race format where anyone can win.
All they have to do is to never quit.“ -Laz
The GO ALOHA YOURSELF BACKYARD ULTRA is sure to become one of your new favorite races. Join us on the island of Oahu to race on a 4.167 mile loop and see who will be the final racer to tell the RD to “GO ALOHA YOURSELF”!
AFFILIATION
Go Aloha Yourself Backyard Ultra is affiliated with the Backyard Ultra Series. This race is “Laz Approved”! Go Aloha Yourself is a “Bronze Ticket” race, where the winner will earn a slot to race in the “Silver Ticket” Tartarus Backyard Ultra. Click here to view the entire Backyard Bracket… which all leads to the ultimate Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra Individual World Championships.
RACE FORMAT
There is only one finisher. The last one standing.
The backyard ultra is a form of ultramarathon race where competitors must consecutively run the lap distance of 4.167 miles in less than one hour. The lap distance was set to make the total distance run for 24 laps (one day) to be 100 miles. When each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is used to recover for the next hour’s race. Runners cannot start the next lap before the next hour starts. Every hour on the hour, the competitors run an additional lap with a one-hour window for completion. If a runner fails to complete a lap in 1 hour, their race is over and they must leave the course. The race ends with a win when the last runner completes one more lap than all the other runners. All other runners DNF. If no competitor manages one more lap than the others, then all athletes receive a DNF and there is no winner.
Flow for the Start of Each Race:
3 Whistles blown means – 3 minutes until start
2 Whistles blown means – 2 minutes until start
1 Whistle blown means 1 minute until start
RD announcements are at 30 seconds
RD counts down the last 10 seconds and a race begins at the ring of a bell.
Once the bell is rung, runners may not visit their crew, their tent, their vehicle or receive aid from anyone. Runners must stay on the course once the bell is rung. The only reason for leaving the course once the bell is rung is to use the portable toilets.
Once you finish your loop you may choose to do what you want, but must be back in the corral before the bell rings.
Runners will need to provide their own aid. Crews are permitted, but not necessary, and may leave and come back if needed. There will be a space next to the start and finish line to set up a chair, cooler, and other small personal gear. Camping is permitted close by where you can set up a tent. Any runner that DNF’s must immediately vacate the start/finish line to allow the remaining Runners to move closer.
DNF runners are encouraged to continue to watch and support other participants still in the races.
Portable Toilets will be located just after the start line.
Water and Coffee will be provided. Hammer Nutrition and/or Gatorade will be also be available.
RACE SWAG
All 2022 GO ALOHA participants will receive:
. Inaugural Long Sleeve Soft DNF Tee
. Inaugural GO ALOHA YOURSELF sticker
. Inaugural GO ALOHA YOURSELF Mug
. Race Winner will receive the one and only Inaugural Long Sleeve Soft FINISHER Tee and receive an entry into the Silver Ticket Tartarus Backyard Ultra!
. One Big Surprise Finisher Award!
LOCATION
The location is still being finalized, but will be listed here as soon as permits are confirmed.
CREWING & TENTS
Runners are allowed, but not required, to bring a crew. Crewing is permitted ONLY in the start/finish area. NO CREWING ALLOWED ON THE RACE COURSE. Small tents are permitted in the start/finish area, however be aware of other athletes’ space. No pacing is allowed. Crew and spectators must stay off the course, but may be in the designated crew areas near the start/finish.
PRICING
$139 through October 31
$159 from November 1 to December 31
$179 from January 1 until race day
RACE SIZE
The race will allow a maximum of 150 participants in 2022.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is still being finalized, but will definitely take place on the island of Oahu. Elevation gain/loss will be minimal.
AID STATIONS & LUAS
Runners and Crews must bring their own food/drinks. Runners will have access to porta-potties near the start corral. Coffee, water, Hammer Nutrition and/or Gatorade will be provided.
PETS & ALCOHOL
We love your four-legged crew members, but they are not permitted at the race venue, so please leave them safely at home. No alcohol permitted. Violation of these rules will result in the racer being disqualified.
LODGING
If you are arriving from another island or from the mainland, we recommend you stay near the North Shore.
Courtyard Oahu North Shore – https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnloa-courtyard-oahu-north-shore/
Turtle Bay Resort – www.turtlebayresort.com
Keiki Beach Bungalows – www.keikibeach.com
…or grab an AirBnB near Laie, Hauula or Haleiwa! www.airbnb.com
LIGHTING
The start-finish area will be lit but you will want to to carry a headlamp or flashlight with you during the night hours. The race course will be marked with glow sticks during the night hours.
POST RACE
You’ve just DNF’d in the Inaugural Go Aloha Yourself Backyard Ultra — unless you were the winner, of course! Enjoy the beautiful Hawai’i weather, sit back, and help cheer on the remaining suffering competitors. All we ask: if you and your crew have a camp set up close to the start/finish, please kindly pack up shop so that the remaining competitors may claim stake. Feel free to relocate wherever you want — just leave the start/finish area open for the remaining athletes and their support teams.
REFUNDS
Sorry, there are no refunds. However, you can transfer your bib to another runner up to one week from the race, and that runner can reimburse you.
OFFICIAL BACKYARD ULTRA RACE RULES
1) Course
. Loop or out and back
. Must be 4 miles 880 feet in length
. Metric equivalent 6.7056 kilometers
2) Starting Corral
. Measured to fit entire starting field
. Corral stays the same size thru out the event
. Participants must be in the starting corral at the bell
3) Starts
. Each loop starts precisely 1 hour after the last
. Warning must be given 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to start
. All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts)
4) Loops
. Except for restrooms, competitor may not leave the course until each loop is completed
. No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)
. No personal aid during a loop (common aid stations are allowed)
. Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted… including the final lap.
. No artificial aids (including trekking poles)
. Slower runners must allow passes.
5) Timing
. Timing of the loops is optional
6) Winner/Results
. The winner is the last person to complete a loop
. All others are technically DNF
. Results of each runner in terms of distance covered are to be given.
. If no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.
7) Cap
. Race must be open ended.
