Want to start your own Backyard Ultra?

So, you are considering organizing a Backyard Ultra?

We would like to encourage you; and provide whatever assistance we can.

Towards that end we can offer several resources. There is a Facebook group solely for Backyard organizers, which contains a lot of information about the requirements to stage an event.

There is also the race catalogue where you can post your event at no cost.

As an affiliated Backyard event, your participants performances are eligible to earn a spot in the World Championships at Big’s Backyard in Tennessee.

And, of course, we are always available to answer any questions.

Our resources to assist you are available; whether you are putting on a large, high budget event, or a grassroots event in your own backyard with no entry fee.

The roots of the Backyard Ultra go back to the desire to put on a fun event with limited space and resources…literally in my own back yard.
The race format caught on, and the number of Backyard Ultras has roughly doubled every year since.

Sweden, where the Backyard first caught on as a participation event, has around 40 Backyard Ultras….more than Marathons and Ultras combined.

The real future of the Backyard is in the participation events where every runner is chasing their own personal goals and enjoying the social aspects of the race.

As the world returns to normal, we expect that people will be more anxious than ever to participate in social activities….this is a good time to prepare for the return of normalcy.

Most Backyard Ultras are won with between 20 and 30 yards, with low key grassroots events generally running from 12-24 hours. The more competitive events, as is well documented, can last for days.

The following form asks that you read and agree to the few basic rules of Backyard Ultra. It will also collect the basic information we need to add your event to the list of affiliated races, and set up your listing on the calendar.

You will receive an email with your account and password, so that you can maintain your own race listing.

Welcome to the Backyard!

Lazarus Lake


Agree to this certain rules you need to follow to organize a Backyard Ultra and we will get back to you with a mail with more info.

    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.