Elm Creek Backyard Ultra
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Elm Creek Backyard Ultra
The Elm Creek Backyard Ultra is a multi-day backyard-style race held in April 2027 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, MN. The event returns for its sixth year and follows the format and guidance of the original Backyard Ultra events. It is a Bronze Ticket qualifier for Big's Backyard Team Championships in the fall of 2028.
The race format requires runners to complete a loop of 4.167 miles every hour. Each loop must be started at the top of the hour; a bell signals the start and whistles are used as countdowns before each loop. Loops continue until only one runner completes a loop alone, who is recorded as the winner. Organizers record total distance for participants who do not finish.
The course starts and finishes at the Bluebird Picnic area and traverses the south side of Elm Creek Park Reserve, following the lake trail and circling Mud Lake. The route has 296 feet of elevation gain and loss and alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise directions every few hours.
Crews are permitted but not required; runners may receive aid from their crew only between loops. While a small area next to the start and finish is available for chairs and coolers, and a designated picnic area allows tents roughly 50 to 100 yards away, runners must be in the starting corral when a loop begins. Overnight gate access may restrict crew returns until dawn. The event may run across multiple days as loops continue until one runner remains. Capacity is anticipated to be around 190 runners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
