About

Portland's only backyard ultra on the iconic Back Cove Trail! Test yourself over and over (and over) again in a 24 hour period, or until the last biped remains standing. Every hour on the hour you'll head out to complete the 4.16 mile loop, in a test of physical and mental fortitude. Think you have what it takes? Let's find out!

Course

The Back Cove Trail is a 3.5 mile non-technical, mostly flat, gravel loop, with a short paved bridge crossing. The trail takes runners along the edge of a tidal estuary basin, and offers a beautiful view the entire length of the route. There is a 0.60 mile add-on each loop on the Bayside Trail when you get to the start/finish area, to equal the standard 4.16 mile backyard ultra distance. Parking is free in the public lot adjacent to the start/finish on a first come/first served basis.

Aid Station

There will be two aid stations. There will be one unstaffed aid station in Payson Park with water, basic first aid supplies, and packaged snacks. There will be a fully staffed aid station at the start/finish where there will be water, electrolytes, packaged and prepared snacks and basic first aid supplies. Event personnel will be on hand at the start/finish for the duration of the event, so participants are welcome to leave their drop bags/supplies at that location. There is space for participants to place a small tent or canopy adjacent to the start/finish area. There are porta potties in Payson Park and at the start/finish area.

XTERRA

This year, Back Cove Backyard Ultra is excited to announce that it will be offering a select number of XTERRA PASS qualifications to race at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine, USA on September 1, 2024. Our race will offer 6 registration opportunities to this invite-only event. For more information about the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, visit https://www.xterraplanet.com/event/xterra-trail-run-world-championship or email trailrun@xterraplanet.com.

Pricing & Refunds

This is a hyper-local event. We've deliberately kept the price for this event relatively low, are relying on volunteer support, and offering practical and minimal swag to keep our expenses low. We will not issue refunds for any reason, other than extraordinary circumstances determined at the event organizers discretion. Organizers will offer a pregnancy deferral for this event to be used in a subsequent year following pregnancy and post-partum recovery.

Event's current local time: 1:31 AM ET