At Capital, the goal has always been to hold a race for a small group of runners that we can help achieve their backyard goals. With a maximum capacity of 60 runners, experienced staff and volunteers will be there to support you every yard. We like to think of our race as a “dress rehearsal” for Big’s- in fact, most staff has prior experience at Big’s, and you’ll see several familiar faces if you make it on Team USA. The Silver Ticket Winner will receive $500 toward their entry and travel to the 2024 Team Championships, along with a super sweet finisher’s award.
The course, with its runnable rolling day loop and paved night loop, is tailored for high mileage performances. Runners set up under a huge pavilion that keeps the tents cool when it’s hot and dry in the rain. In addition, the kitchen is staffed by two professional chefs who have also run some of the toughest 100 milers out there, so they know how to take care of you. The tutu-clad Bullies will be waiting with a selection of food/smoothies as you finish your yard. But most importantly, you will be in a field with other experienced backyard runners who can push you to high miles. In the Backyard, you can only be as good as your next best competitor.
Some stats from the race:
– Eight of the 10 runners in the 2023 Individual World Championships are CBU alums, and five runners actually qualified at Capital
– 71% of Capital entrants achieved 24+ yards/100miles in 2023
– 19% of the field topped 48 yards/200 miles in 2023
– Scott Snell won the event with a whopping 75 yards/312.5 miles in 2023
– Jennifer Russo set a new Women’s WORLD Backyard Record in 2023, running 308 miles and 74 yards. She also is the ONLY woman who has run 300 miles in 72 hours.
– Capital is the only race outside of Big’s to field at-large entrants from the USA to the 2023 World Individual Championships. Three runners ran PRs to gain entry into the 2023 event
Event Details
The Capital Backyard Ultra will be held at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area in Lorton, Virginia, a suburb of Washington DC. The event will begin at 8am on Saturday and proceed until only one runner is remaining. The nearest airport is Ronald Reagan National Airport, DCA (30 minutes.) The second closest airport is IAD (40 minutes.)
Race Rules
The format is a 4.167 mile loop that will begin on the hour, every hour. Three minutes before the start of each loop (three minutes before the top of the hour) three whistles will be blown. Two minutes before the top of the hour, two whistles will be blown. One minute before the top of the hour, one whistle will be blown. A bell will ring signifying the start of each round. All runners continuing must be present when the final bell rings, or they will not be allowed to continue. They are not allowed to exit the course except to use the porta potty until they complete the loop. It’s very simple. However ”Simple” does not equate to “Easy.”
The last runner must complete one additional loop to be named the winner. All other runners are DNFs, but they will know that they have truly reached the limit of their endurance. The winner will not have this satisfaction but will have another opportunity to find their limit at Big’s in October.
Entry
Entry will be rolling. Any runner with a 100 mile finish or who has run the event in a prior year will gain entry until the race reaches 60 runners. Bronze ticket winners will also receive entry as they come in. Runners with a 50 mile finish will be offered entry, up until capacity is reached, beginning December 1.
LESS
