Description
New for 2024 - $1,000 cash prize + buckles for 100 milers!
Our race takes place in beautiful Estes Park Colorado at the YMCA of the Rockies.
The Backyard Ultra is a form of Ultra Trail race where runners must complete 4.167 miles in less than one hour, every hour, until only one runner remains to complete a lap.
This runner is crowned the winner and only finisher, while all others will be marked as DNF. There is no predetermined end length or time - we go until only one remains.....
Rocky's Backyard is hosted at the YMCA of the Rockies campus which offers family fun and adventure. Kids of all ages will have plenty to do while your athlete competes for a yet unknown number of hours. We recommend staying on campus at the YMCA or at any Estes Park lodging establishment. Our preferred lodging partner aside from the YMCA is the Estes Park Quality Inn - friend's of the race, locally owned and operated.
Course Info
Welcome to Rocky’s Backyard Ultra where the setting is magical and the miles are earned. Our race takes place within the boundaries of the pristine YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center which makes Rocky’s, to our knowledge, the highest organized Backyard Ultra in the world!
Much of the course runs the perimeter of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and is on 100% genuine Rocky Mountain singletrack. Each lap boasts around 500 feet of gain and equal loss. Being that this course sits between 7,930’ and 8060’, every lap you run will be an achievement.
From camp, you’ll run west toward RMNP and start your first ascent of Rocky’s course. It’s gradual but noticeable. A hairpin turn onto the Glacier Creek Trail will send you downhill along one of the most beautiful and fun segments of trail in the area. The trail runs above/alongside Glacier Creek, which starts in the heart of RMNP. You’ll ebb and flow with the Glacier Creek for about a mile until you leave it to run the Eastern boundary of the YMCA of the Rockies on the Wind River Trail. This is the second noticeable ascent of the loop that will include one stream crossing, beaver ponds, and visiting both sides of Dorsey pond. You’ll likely encounter wildlife along this part of the course too - elk, deer, bear, and many smaller animals are all frequent guests.
With a late October race date, you’ll never quite know what to expect. We do know that the fall feels will be on full display. Weather, though, can be a little more temperamental. Race day could be dry and warm or under a foot of snow. Either way, it’s all part of an amazing adventure that awaits you in Rocky’s Backyard Ultra!
Included
Includes:
Custom Fractel beanie
DNF or finishers award
Stocked aid station
YMCA day access for your crew
Weather
October in Rocky can present all four seasons in a day
Average weather is 50s in the day, 20s at night and a 10% chance of major snow
We are in the heart of the mountains - come prepared for anything and everything.
Event's current local time: 1:19 PM MT
