Grand Valley Backyard
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Grand Valley Backyard Ultra
Grand Valley Backyard Ultra is a last-person-standing trail event held at the 18 Road trailhead north of Fruita, Colorado. The event uses repeated loops of 4.167 miles (about 6.7056 km) with roughly 500 ft of elevation gain per loop, mostly in the first half. The course is primarily singletrack with some double track and contains no pavement; it is described as runnable and non-technical.
The format requires each loop to be completed within one hour. Loops start precisely one hour apart and competitors must be in the starting corral at the bell. Timing of loops is optional. The winner is the last runner to complete a loop; if no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.
The event is largely self-supported. The start/finish area is the only aid station; water, an endurance fuel product, and cupless coffee at night will be available. Competitors are required to carry what they need for each lap. Crew interaction is limited to the start/finish area and each runner may have up to three crew members. No pacers, trekking poles, or dogs are allowed on course. Competitors may leave the course only for restrooms and must not have non-competitors on the course.
Participants receive a race shirt and a custom finisher's buckle. Each participant is allotted a 10 by 10 foot area near the start/finish and separate parking for runners is provided. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
