New Race Event in Cotter - June 10, 2023
What is a Backyard Ultra?
A Backyard Ultra is a last runner standing competition. It does not end until only one runner can complete a yard. A yard begins once an hour and is measured to 4.166667 miles. That comes to 100 miles every 24 hours. You cannot start before the hour. You cannot start after the hour. It does not matter if you run a yard in 40 minutes or 59 minutes and 59 seconds. As long as you complete the yard under 60 minutes, you're still in. If nobody finishes a yard, there is no winner. Easy, right?
The beauty of a Backyard is that it "smooths" the advantages of age, gender, and speed. At a Backyard, mental toughness and grit can earn any runner glory.
ABUC Weekend Agenda
Friday 6/9/2023
5:00-7:30pm Packet Pick-Up & Pasta Dinner Social
(we prefer everyone to pickup packets Friday night)
Saturday 6/10/2023
5:15am Packet Pickup
5:45am Pre-Race Briefing
5:57am Whistles (Learn to love these)
5:58am Whistles
5:59am Whistle (You better be in the coral!)
6:00am First Yard Begins!
12:00pm - Runners are treated to the first of many meals from
The One More Yard Cafe!
One More Yard Cafe Feeding Schedule
Thank you Chris & Micah Martin for the working the "One More Yard Cafe"
Saturday 6/10/2023
12:00pm - 25 Miles Complete - Egg & Cheese Burritos, Bacon
6:00pm - 50 Miles Complete - Brisket Sliders & Potato Salad
Sunday 6/11/2023
12:00am - 75 Miles Complete - Grilled Cheese, Ramen
6:00am - 100 Miles Complete - Pancakes & Sausage
12:00pm - 125 Miles Complete - Brisket & Cheese Quesadillas
6:00pm - 150 Miles Complete - TBD
Monday 6/12/2023
12:00pm - 175 Miles Complete - TBD
Official Arkansas Backyard Ultra Rules
1) You must bang The Gong when you are out.
It Must be done
2) Follow Arkansas Ultra Running's Primary Rule
No Whining
3) Follow the Official Big's Backyard Ultra Rules
Official Big's Backyard Ultra Rules
1) Course
Loop or out and back
Must be 4 miles 880 feet in length, metric equivalent 6.7056 kilometers
2) Starting Corral
Measured to fit entire starting field
Corral stays the same size thru out the event
Participants must be in the starting corral at the whistle
3) Starts
Each race starts precisely 1 hour after the last
Warning must be given 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to start
All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts)
4) Course Rules
Except for restrooms, competitor may not leave the course until each race is completed
No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)
No personal aid during a race (common aid stations are allowed)
Each race must be completed within an hour to be counted… including the final race
No artificial aids (including trekking poles)
Slower runners must allow passes
5) Timing
Timing of the races is optional
6) Winner/Results
The winner is the last person to complete a yard
All others are technically DNF
Results of each runner in terms of distance covered are to be given
If no runner can complete one more yard than anyone else, there is no winner
7) Cap
Race must be open ended
Race Perks
Every runner will receive a commemorative t-shirt - (must sign up 30 days or more before event)
Runners who complete more than 12 yards (50 miles) receive a DNF award.
A Friday night, pre-race pasta dinner is complementary to runners.
Families and crew may purchase a pasta dinner.
Teams are allowed (but just for fun). See Teams Tab for more info.
Bronze Ticket Entry
The winner will receive a Bronze Coin, free entry to Silver Coin Event. For runners seeking entry to the original Big's Backyard, hosted by the infamous Laz Lake, winning our event gets you one step closer.
