Race

June 1st 2024

Starts and finishes at Mount Timpanogos Park

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Race will start 6:00 am

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Early Registration - $85

Registration - $95

Late Registration - $105

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What is a Backyard Ultra?

Created by Lazarus Lake, backyard ultras have exploded in popularity around the world. The race is simple and yet imbues everything a runner looks for in a race. Comradery, motivation, great outdoors, and food, lots of food. Backyard Ultras are the buffet of running.

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• This race is a 4.167 mile alternating loop course that runners will do every hour. There is also a night course.

• Click Course map and info above for details.

• The goal is to push yourself to new limits. You will never know how far you can run until you try.

• Finish line becomes home base. Fun for friends and family to come cheer you on and hang out.

• With a Backyard Ultra you get to run across the finish line as many times as you are capable.

• You don't have to be the fastest runner to win or do well.

• Backyards require a sound strategy with how you manage your hour as well as being tough.

• Last man and woman to complete their final loop is when the race ends

Why?

Seriously though, when we first heard of this new race idea we thought it was crazy. The more we thought on it the more we realized just how amazing and fun this kind of setup is.

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Runners of all levels can participate, great way to push yourself to new limits, and the finish line turns into the best aid station you ever had. What better way to spend your Saturday than hanging out with fellow runners in the great outdoors.

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Give the Backyard Ultra a try, you might just enjoy it. Makes for a great story!

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Packet pickup

Friday 3 pm to 6 pm at the Sandy Salt Lake Running Store 8946 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070.

 

Race day pickup starts at 4:30 am.

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We recommend all runners arrive at least 45 minutes before the race begins to ensure a stress free and smooth start if you do not pickup your bib the day before. Pre-race announcement 15 minutes before start time.​

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Food

We will be providing all kinds of snacks at the finish line just like you would see at any Ultramarathon aid station. Gatorade will be the electrolyte drink. We will also be ordering lots of random stuff as the day goes on like pizza, sandwiches, donuts, cookies, etc. If you have a request let us know. We want the finish line to be a party and the race director does love food.

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Finish Line​

Make it a party. Bring your friends and family. We have the entire park reserved for our use so there is plenty of room. We will have games like Cornhole setup. Backyard Ultras are all about coming together as a community and having a great time. Watching runners struggle is fun as well.

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The Park

Mount Timpanogos Park is a huge and beautiful park. We will have the entire park reserved for our use. There will be pavilions, bathrooms, and a hosting hall that can provide indoor shelter. Please help us leave this park the way we found it. We want to be welcomed back each year. Park map and info can be found here.

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Awards

Only two people will be going home with an award. The last woman standing and the last man standing. Everyone else will receive a DNF (Did Not Finish) medal. Not finishing has never been so much fun.

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Navigation

Course is marked with pink flags, cones, and signs. We will have reflective tape on the night course as well should the race go that long.

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Parking

Free parking and plenty of it. Once the parking lot fills up there are two overflow dirt parking lots and an additional paved parking lot in the park below.

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Word of mouth

Friends and family are the best way to promote this race.  Running is much more fun with a buddy and people cheering you on!

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Volunteers

These events are not possible without help! To show our appreciation all volunteers will receive a free race entry for any future Happy Trails race. Expires after one year. Click here for more info!

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Late Registration

Begins May 13th and closes May 31st at 11:59 pm

 

We cannot guarantee all participants registering after May 13th will be able to order a shirt. We will order extra to do our best to accommodate late registration. If we do not have your size or you do not want a shirt you can use code NOSHIRT at checkout for $10 off registration.

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Capacity

This race will be capped to 100 runners the first year. This is so we can assess how busy the trails are with each wave start. This is also why this race is a little more expensive than our others. We try to make our races as affordable as possible but between the low cap and having to rent the entire park that is what we were left with. We are actually taking a risk in losing quite a bit of money if we don't have enough runners sign up so tell your friends and family!

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Rules

• Runner must be in starting corral when each loop begins unless they wish to drop.

• No leaving the course or receiving aid on the course once the lap begins.

• Loop must be completed in the hour to receive credit for that loop.

• When you finish your lap you may use the time you have until the next lap to do what you please.

• Crew and support may come and go.

• Plenty of space to setup, get cozy, and make some new friends. Can not block the course or starting corral in anyway.

• Must have fun.

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Weather

Average high is 78*F and average low is 56*F

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Things To Do

Tons of nearby attractions for friends, family, or yourself after you have finished your journey.

• Bridal Veil Falls

• Provo Shooting Park

• Sundance Ski Resort

• Cascade Springs

• Deer Creek State Park

• Alpine Loop Scenic Drive

• Timpanogos Cave

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Race Director - Don Hantla

801-230-5070

happytrailsrace@gmail.com

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