Grassroots Backyard Ultra
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Grassroots Backyard Ultra
The Grassroots Backyard Ultra returns for its fifth edition on Saturday, June 27, 2026 in Okotoks, Alberta. Okotoks is located about 20 minutes south of Calgary. The course is an open public loop of 6.71 km along the scenic Sheep River pathway, featuring some single-track dirt trail and 34 meters of elevation gain.
There are three race formats:
- Backyard Ultra (Last Person Standing): Runners must complete the 6.71 km loop within one hour, every hour, until only one participant remains.
- BACKYARD15 (BY15): A timed event lasting 15 hours, covering approximately 100.65 km.
- BACKYARD24 (BY24): A timed event lasting 24 hours, covering approximately 100 miles.
The timed events share the same loop and rules as the Backyard format but have a strict registration cap. For the Backyard Ultra format, the last person standing wins a trophy and a $500 prize. An additional $250 bonus is awarded for breaking the course record of 35 loops.
Rules include mandatory starts at the top of each hour, no aid allowed while on the course, and a minimum age of 16. Lions Park campground is nearby. Registration opens September 15, 2025 and closes May 31, 2026. Pricing varies by format and registration period. Registrations are non-refundable but can be transferred to another runner until June 1, 2026 for a fee. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
