A backyard ultra is a deviously simple race. Runners just have to complete a 4.167-mile course within a one-hour cutoff. And then line up to do that again at the top of the next hour. And again the next. And again. There’s no limit on how long the race might be, (neither time nor distance). The race continues as long as there are multiple runners still on the course. The only way to finish the race is to complete the course when no other runner can.
There can be at most one finisher (and winner), while every other entrant is a DNF (did not finish).
The fastest runner won’t necessarily win this race. And mental strength is every bit as important as physical strength. How long can you keep moving? If you fight hard enough to earn a DNF at a backyard ultra then you may have truly found your limit. If you win, you might still be wondering.
A “backyard 24” is a race with the same basic structure but with the mercy of ending after 24 hours (100 miles). There’s no winner in a backyard 24, just those that finish all 24 loops, and those that don’t. This race format is a great introduction to the basic structure of backyard-ultra running. If your personal longest run is anywhere from 5k to 50 miles, then a backyard 24 can be your perfect next race to set a a new personal record for the longest thing you have ever run.
Course
Both races use a lovely system of trails at Champoeg State Park. The day course follows a single-track trail through trees and along the river with scenic views.
The trail course will be used for the first 12 hours of the race. At 7:00 PM the race will switch to the night course which is entirely on a paved bike path. The race will switch back to the trail course at 7:00 AM the next morning and continue switching back and forth between these two courses every 12 hours until the race is complete.
Both courses are relatively flat with roughly 250 ft. of vertical gain over either loop.
Amenities
For any time that runners have available between loops, we have a large, covered pavilion available. Each runner has access to one half of one picnic table within the pavilion as a personal aid station where they can store personal items (food clothing, etc.). These items and the pavilion will be easily accessible during “interloopal” periods (as the pavilion is immediately adjacent to the start/finish line).
Any runner wanting more space than half a picnic table can reserve a 10’x10′ space in the grass (near the starting area) where they can setup a pop-up canopy, (canopies are not provided by the race, and must be brought by participants). This reservation requires an additional fee paid at the time of registration.
Toilet facilities will available very near the beginning of the race course on every loop (day or night).
The race will provide a common aid station at the start/finish pavilion with Tailwind Endurance Fuel, water, and bananas (of course!). No aid stations are provided along the course, but you’ll be returning to the start regularly. Runners are encouraged to bring preferred food and beverage as needed for an endurance race. There’s no obligation, but runners can contribute anything they’d like to the common aid station.
Finally, a caterer will be on-site, preparing hot meals throughout the race. Each runner’s registration includes one hot finish-line meal. Additional meals may be purchased from the caterer during or after the race.
Running the Extra Mile
A portion of the proceeds of these races will benefit Children’s Center and in recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, we endcourage everyone to donate directly as well.
History
The Backyard Ultra was invented by Lazarus “Laz” Lake who first hosted the original Big’s Backyard Ultra in his own backyard (and with his dog, Big) in 2011.
As that race has grown in popularity, a number of affiliated races with identical rules sprang up all over the world. These races have been organized into a world championship with the winner of any race earning automatic entry to the next level, (bronze, silver, and gold). The original Big’s Backyard Ultra is now either the US National Championship Backyard Ultra race (in even years) or the World Championship Backyard Ultra race (in odd years).
The Banana Slug Backyard Ultra first started in 2022 and is a Silver Ticket race in 2024. The winner secures a spot in the 2024 US National Championship at Big’s, which is itself a Gold Ticket for the 2025 World Championship at Big’s.
The Banana Slug Backyard 24 was first launched in 2024 after Laz introduced the concept of a “backyard 24” as a way to make the backyard-ulra format more accessible and available to more runners.
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