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. And, of course, we are always available to answer any questions.
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 on a National Team for the Satellite Team Championships and the World Individual Championships at Big’s Backyard in Tennessee.
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.
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.
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.
Listing your event on our Backyard Calendar is valuable. The website gets a lot of activity and good race thumbnails get a lot of clicks. Depending on your location that can range from 4 or 5 clicks a day to hundreds.
We have a form that you can fill out on the Ultrasignup – Backyard Ultra Association website to give us the information necessary to add your race to the calendar of events. I regret to say it has become necessary to institute a one-time $25 charge to add new events. Otherwise, we get a lot of “ghost” events added to the calendar, which require resources we do not have to ferret out and remove. Once your event is on the calendar all that is required is to send in results after the event, and maintain a valid date on your listing…. A calendar full of last year’s dates is of little use to runners or race directors either one.
Please note that you are not required to list your race on Ultrasignup. We are using Ultrasignup only for collecting the information for us to add races to our calendar on Backyardultra.com…. We encourage it since Ultrasignup is helping us out with our data collection. But it is not required, and will in no way effect the status of your race if you choose not to do so.
After you submit your race 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
Silver and Bronze Ticket Application for 2026 Satellite Championship Teams
If you wish to submit your event for a Bronze or Silver Ticket status please use the link below to make an application on Ultrasignup.
Bronze Ticket Events will start between August 19, 2024 and August 16, 2025.
Silver Ticket Events will start between August 18, 2025 and August 15, 2026
Silver Ticket events will automatically also be Bronze Ticket events during the Bronze Ticket year. There is no charge to apply. If your event is selected, there will be a small charge to cover the cost of shipping you a Bronze and/or Silver coin for your winner.
Please note that you are not required to list your race on Ultrasignup. They are only collecting the information for us to add races to our calendar…. We encourage it, since US is helping us out with our data collection. But it is not required, and will in no way effect the status of your race if you choose not to do so.