July 10, 2027 :: One lap, every hour on the hour, until there's only one finisher left. Choose 6hrs, 12hrs or the Full BYU.
In 2028 we'll be back to June.
Registration Opens July 12, 2026 Prices increase January 1, 2027
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The Backyard $195 / $220
Includes start/finish line camping. Aid station snacks, a DNF prize (or finisher prize - we don't know until you do!) and sweet bamboo t-shirt. Runners who achieve 24 continuous hours/100 miles will also receive a belt buckle!
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Backyard 12 $150 / $175
A closed format of the Backyard - 12 hours, you finish, or you DNF! All Backyard rules apply (Fixed hourly start, no external aid of pacer, etc., see below). Includes start/finish line camping, aid station snacks, finisher medal and sweet bamboo t-shirt.
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Backyard 6 $100 / $125
A closed format of the Backyard - 6 hours, you finish, or you DNF! All Backyard rules apply (Fixed hourly start, no external aid of pacer, etc., see below). Includes start/finish line camping, aid station snacks, finisher medal and sweet bamboo t-shirt.
How does a Backyard Ultra Work?
The 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.
Backyard Fixed Hour Rules
- Backyard Races with a defined finish up to 24 hours may be held
- These races are named according to their length (Backyard 6 for 6 hours, etc)
- No winner is named. Participants either finish or DNF
- All other Backyard Rules apply.
- If a Backyard 24 is held in conjunction with a Backyard Ultra all participants of both events must start at the same time.
Getting Here
Tiffin Centre for Conservation
8195 8th Line, Utopia
The Tiffin Centre is a spectacular place for a walk on looped trails that meander through a mixture of wetlands, forests, open meadows and ancient lake beds. The course is going to be relatively flat with 1 tiny out and back section but otherwise a no-repeat loop.
On Race Day
We have the FULL Group Camping area to use for the Backyard. All races start at 6:00am
Potable water & Electricity (limited juice) are available.
The Course
The course consists of mostly crushed gravel maintained trails throughout Tiffin Conservation Area with a 2k section of more sandy/woody trail on the back quarter of the course. It’s very runnable, with elevation of no more than 45m per loop. We will be putting arrows, flags, and reflective markers all along the course.
Note on Deferrals and Transfers:
Due to the level of planning and venue consideration for this event, we are not offering deferrals or refunds for the Utopia Backyard Ultra. Please plan your participation very carefully. Transfers to another racer are permitted up to the day before race day.
