Lion King Backyard Ultra
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Lion King Backyard Ultra, Rolla MO
The Lion King Backyard Ultra is a backyard-ultramarathon held at Lions Club Park in Rolla, Missouri. The event uses a single loop course of 4.167 miles (approximately 6.706 kilometers). Runners must complete each loop within one hour; laps repeat until one runner completes one more lap than any other, and that final runner is declared the winner.
The daytime lap follows a 4.167 mile dirt trail through mature deciduous forest and eastern red cedar groves, passing small creeks and finishing with a short paved section around the lake into the starting corral. The nighttime lap is a 4.167 mile out-and-back paved route that follows a creek through rural countryside and is noted for local wildlife sightings.
The starting corral sits between the lake and the pavilions. Pavilions provide covered 10 by 10 spaces for each runner and crew, on-site water spigots, a charging station with 110V and USB outlets, and nearby porta-potties including units at the 2-mile mark. Common aid is allowed; personal aid is not permitted while on a loop. The event is an affiliate of Big's Backyard Ultra; the winner receives a bronze coin that can grant entry to a silver ticket event.
Awards include a custom Lion King belt buckle for the winner, a bronze coin, a sponsor swag bag, Hall of Fame induction for Top Male, Top Female and the Assist, and ribbons showing completed distance for all other runners. Fifty percent of profits are donated, with 30% to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and 20% to Lions Club Park. The refund policy allows a 50% refund until August 1, 2025; after that refunds are not offered. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
