Back Cove Backyard Ultra

Event overview

The Back Cove Backyard Ultra is a backyard-ultra running event on July 11, 2026, held at Back Cove Park in Portland, Maine. The format requires participants to complete a loop every hour until only one runner remains. Registration opens on January 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET. The event is described as local in scale with intentionally low entry pricing and minimal participant swag. Refunds are not issued except for extraordinary circumstances at the organizers' discretion; a pregnancy deferral to a subsequent year is offered.

Course and race support

The main loop follows the Back Cove Trail, a mostly flat, non-technical gravel route of about 3.5 miles with a short paved bridge crossing along a tidal estuary. Each lap includes a 0.60-mile add-on on the Bayside Trail at the start/finish area to equal the standard backyard-ultra loop of approximately 4.16 miles. Parking is free in the public lot adjacent to the start/finish on a first come, first served basis.

Two aid stations are provided: an unstaffed station in Payson Park with water, basic first aid supplies, and packaged snacks, and a staffed station at the start/finish offering water, electrolytes, packaged and prepared snacks, and basic first aid. Event personnel remain at the start/finish for the duration of the event; space is available for small tents or canopies and for participants to leave drop bags. Porta potties are located in Payson Park and at the start/finish. Organizers rely on volunteers and maintain a volunteer sign-up process. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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