Utopia Backyard Ultra
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Event overview
Utopia Backyard Ultra takes place June 27-28, 2026. The main Backyard Ultra format runs one lap every hour on the hour until only one finisher remains. The organizer canceled a planned 100 miler and 100 mile relay and instead offers fixed-hour Backyard events alongside the open-ended Backyard Ultra.
Race formats and fees
Available entries and listed fees are:
- The Backyard: $185 / $210
- Backyard 24 (24 hours): $185 / $210
- Backyard 12 (12 hours): $120 / $140
- Backyard 6 (6 hours): $80 / $95
Early registration pricing applies through March 1, 2026; regular registration closes June 20, 2026. Deferrals and refunds are not offered. Transfers to another racer are permitted up to the day before the event.
Course and location
The event is held at Tiffin Centre for Conservation, 8195 8th Line, Utopia. The looped course uses mostly crushed gravel maintained trails with a 2 km section of sandy/woody trail. Elevation change is no more than 45 m per loop. The required loop length is 4 miles 880 feet (metric 6.7056 kilometers). Course markings will include arrows, flags, and reflective markers. A GPX file is provided by the organizer.
Rules and race logistics
Key rules: each loop must be started at the hourly bell and completed within the hour; competitors may not leave the course during a loop except for restrooms; no personal aid during a loop, and no artificial aids such as trekking poles. For the Backyard Ultra the winner is the last person to complete a loop; all others are recorded as DNF with distance covered reported. Fixed-hour Backyard events (6, 12, 24 hours) have no winner named; participants either finish or DNF. Camping, potable water, limited electricity, snacks and aid station supplies are provided. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
