Lion King Backyard Ultra
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Lion King Backyard Ultra : Rolla, Missouri
The Lion King Backyard Ultra is a backyard-ultramarathon held at Lions Club Park in Rolla. The event runs on a repeated 4.167 mile loop (approximately 6.706 km). Competitors must complete each loop within one hour; the race continues until only one runner completes one more loop than the second-place runner. The 24-hour mark corresponds to just over 100 miles for any runner who reaches it.
The course starts and finishes at a corral between the lake and park pavilions. The route uses a dirt trail during daylight and a paved out-and-back section at night. Daytime miles pass through mature maple, oak, dogwood, ash and elm trees, open fields and two cedar groves; the final 0.167 mile into the corral is on pavement. The night course follows a flat paved trail along a flowing creek and through rural countryside where deer and small wildlife are commonly seen.
Race rules note that each loop must be started at the bell and completed within an hour to count. Runners may not leave the course during a loop except to use restrooms. Common aid stations are allowed; no personal aid during a loop and no artificial aids including trekking poles. A visible running timer tracks the event. No winner is declared if no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else.
Prizes and support: the overall winner is crowned "THE LION KING" or "QUEEN" and receives a custom belt buckle, a bronze coin and a swag bag; top male, top female and the assist are entered into the event Hall of Fame. The event is affiliated with Big's Backyard; the winner's bronze coin guarantees a spot in a silver ticket event. Fifty percent of event profits are allocated to charity: 30% to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Prevention hotline and 20% to Lions Club Park.
On-site facilities include park pavilions with dedicated 10x10 spaces for runners and crew, water spigots, a charging station with 110V plugs and USB outlets, and porta-potties at the corral and near the two-mile marks. Crew camping is permitted in a designated area during race hours; tents must be removed after the event unless the race ends at night, in which case tents may remain until sunrise. Quiet, leashed dogs that are not allowed on the course are permitted at the park. Race photos are taken and shared via the event Facebook page. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
