BackYard Ultra

Do you have what it takes? Keeping in line with the infamous Big Backyard Ultra format organized by Lazarus Lake (you've heard of the creator of the Barkley Marathons, right?), we're holding our own Backyard Ultra in gorgeous Wausau, WI. Participants will run our 4.167 mile loop for as long as (s)he can. The first loop starts Friday, 5/3/2024 at 10 am and one loop will be run every hour, on the hour for as long as (s)he is able. When does the madness end? When the last (wo)man is left and crowned victorious!

What: 4.167 mile gorgeous (mostly trail!) course that loops throughout Sylvan Park, leaving on the hour EVERY HOUR (don't be late!) until 1 person remains
Who: Solo racer, 18 years old or older on race day or <18 years old with a parent/guardian present
When: 5/3/2024 @ 10 am
How it works: you show up on starting line on Friday, 5/3/2024 @ 10 am for your first loop. You keep going until you can't. Sounds simple, right?
Price: $200

Course Description

Course Preview (same loop for BackYard Ultra and Double Down races): In short, it is a gorgeous, hilly, all trail course that I wouldn't mind running at least 25 times in a row...which is fortunate, because hopefully you’ll be running that and more on race day.
Our start & finish//home base is nestled in a small field where participant’s tents/aid, bathroom facilities, parking is located. Every 4.167 miles, racers will have access to this little oasis. From the start, participants will head up a gravel path through gorgeous trees, taking a small loop before returning back down the hill...before heading up the tubing hill. Did we mention there are a couple climbs during this loop? From the top, you’ll have a gorgeous glimpse over the treetops of the little valley below...but let’s be honest- enjoy it the first 10 loops as you may be cursing in later days at these hills. At the bottom, you get to- you guessed it- climb right back up the hill because the breeze is better up there, ya know? You'll climb back down on a single track surrounded by woods before trotting by your beloved home base (but not stopping here!). This time, your journey back up the hill is a little more leisurely through the beautiful woods. Once on top, soak up the next half mile or so as you traverse along the edge of school property and savor the relatively flat terrain. After a loop out around school property, you’ll make your way back into the forest to dip back in for a quick, fun, roller coaster like descent. You’re getting close- once you are back to the bottom, you’ll trot by a beautiful creek, gentle bridges before finding yourself back at home base- your oasis….at least until the top of the next hour.

The course described above is subject to change prior to race day but what you can be assured of is that it will be 4.167 miles of gorgeous trail, lots of ups and downs, and a great home base between loops.

Kids' Race

What: Will be a surprise on race day but expected distance to be a little less than 1/2 a mile
Who: children 12 years old and under on race day (5/4/2024)
When: Saturday 5/4/2024). Race start 12:05 pm
Price: FREE for kids!

When stuff happens you didn't plan for...

Transfers/deferrals/rollovers/etc

Once registered for a race (Backyard or Double Down), it is final. We are unable to defer or rollover a registration to another year once you have signed up. As fellow racers, we understand life happens, schedules change, and injuries/illnesses unfortunately happen but we have various operational feeds that race entries go towards covering prior to race day for each racer that we are not able to offer a deferral or refund option at this time.

However, if you would like to transfer your registration to another individual, we can do so, though arranging for payment would be up to the 2 individuals involved. If you are signed up for the Backyard and you would like to switch to the single or 2-loop double down race, we can accommodate this change but you will not receive a refund for the difference in entry fee (you will pay backyard price for double down race). If you are interested in pursuing either of these options, please email the race directors at wausaultra@gmail.com

Thank you for understanding and please let us know if you have any questions!

Event's current local time: 1:41 PM CT