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”! Some backyard ultras are chosen as “Golden Ticket” races, where the winner will earn a slot in the famous Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra Individual World Championships. If Go Aloha Yourself is chosen as a Golden Ticket race, our winner will be flown to Tennessee to race at the 2022 Big Dog’s, and provided with four nights lodging!
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.
Runners must check in twice for each lap: before each lap, and after they finish each lap. Runners must be standing in the starting corral when the next lap starts; otherwise they are a DNF. Runners may choose not to continue. Runners must check out of the race before they leave. No late starts once the starting cowbell is rung! Races will continue until only one runner remains, and at that point, once that person completes a loop on their own, that runner is the winner.
. At 3 minutes before each race 3 whistles will be blown.
. At 2 minutes before each race 2 whistles will be blown.
. At 1 minute before each race 1 whistle will be blown.
. At 30 seconds before each race, a verbal warning is given
. A 10 second countdown is given, and then a cowbell will ring to start each race.
Once the cowbell 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 cowbell is rung. The only reason for leaving the course once the cowbell is rung is to use the porta-potty. Once you finish your loop and check in, you may choose to do what you want, but must check in and be back in the starting corral before the cowbell rings.
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
. Light Grub
. Race Winner will receive the one and only Inaugural Long Sleeve Soft FINISHER Tee!
. 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. Day and night loops will not change and elevation gain/loss will be minimal.
AID STATIONS & LUAS
There will be a single aid station at the start-finish line full of light grub. If you are picky about your race fuel, bring your own nutrition, as we cannot guarantee we will have exactly what YOU require. Runners may only access nutrition after completing each loop. Crews must bring their own food/drinks. Runners will have access to porta-potties near the start corral.
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.
