Back Cove Backyard Ultra
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About the race
Back Cove Backyard Ultra is a backyard ultra event held on July 10, 2027, at Back Cove Park in Portland, ME. The event is organized by The Grind Run Company and follows the backyard ultra format.
Participants run a loop each hour until a single runner remains. The standard loop distance for the event is approximately 4.16 miles per circuit, completed repeatedly in hourly intervals.
The course uses the Back Cove Trail, a mostly flat, non-technical gravel loop of about 3.5 miles with a short paved bridge crossing and views along a tidal estuary. At the start/finish area there is a 0.60 mile Bayside Trail add-on to reach the standard backyard ultra distance. Parking is free in the public lot adjacent to the start/finish on a first come first served basis.
There are two aid stations: an unstaffed station in Payson Park offering water, basic first aid supplies, and packaged snacks, and a fully 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, and participants may leave drop bags or place a small tent or canopy adjacent to the start/finish. Porta potties are available in Payson Park and at the start/finish.
The event uses volunteer support and offers modest swag to keep costs low. Refunds are not issued except for extraordinary circumstances at the organizers discretion; a pregnancy deferral is available for use in a subsequent year. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
