See the 2026 event

Who, What, Where, and Why

Jordan River winds through the Wasatch Front over 40 miles connecting Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake. The trail system that runs along this river is one of the greatest in the state. Beautiful trail, no road crossings, tons of parking, amazing starting area. This area is the perfect location for a Backyard race. Only thing that could make it any better is the Fall colors that come to the Wasatch Valley by the third week of October. We hope you come out to push yourself and have a good time with friends and family at the finish line.

Beautiful well marked course
Locally made finisher medals
Shirt that you will actually wear while running
Great Harvest Bread breakfast
Big Daddy's Pizza
Well stocked finish line
Live results
Timed laps

Our goal is to provide convenient, affordable, and fun races to runners.

Backyard races have exploded in popularity around the world. We took a great race format and in our opinion made it even better. What a Backyard is and the difference versus a Blitz Backyard explained below

Backyards are a 4.167 mile loop course that runners will do once every hour for either 4, 8, or 12 hours total. You cannot start the next loop early.
If you are unable to complete a loop in the hour or choose to not start a loop on the hour, you are removed from the race
The goal is to push yourself to new limits. You will never know how far and fast you can run until you try
Finish line becomes home base. Fun for friends and family to come cheer you on and hang out

Blitz Backyard differ from regular Backyards because we will time every loop. Placement is determined not only by loops completed but also by a runners overall time on all completed loops
This provides a very fun and competitive twist to those runners who really want to lay it all out on the course. Runners who don't care for the "blitz" format can still push themselves to finish the number of loops they signed up for just like a normal Backyard.
Blitz Backyards require a sound strategy with how you manage your hour as well as being physically and mentally tough

We recommend viewing our website for more information including course map and details as well as other races we offer! Happy Trails Running

Awards

All runners who complete at least 1 loop will receive a finishers medal.
All runners who complete 12 loops will receive a leather patch beanie custom made to reflect their 50 mile accomplishment
1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female will be determined first by distance completed. Should distance be the same then cumulative time spent on all laps will be used to determine placement for all runners with the same amount of loops completed.

"Blitz"

Blitz was chosen to reflect Blitz Chess. A fast paced extremely strategic version of the classic game Chess
This variation creates an infinite level of strategy and possibilities in the race. We cannot wait to see what strategy runners use to conquer the Blitz Backyard
You can still go out at a very mellow pace with the goal of just finishing each loop and the total distance you signed up for. You may surprise yourself how well a more conservative pace plays out.
Finishing more loops automatically puts you ahead of runners who finished less loops in your distance, even if they ran those loops faster
This is a backyard race blended with a timed race, best parts of both races

Timing
We will provide live results during the race updated with each loop completed
These results will automatically show each runners individual lap time and their current cumulative total
Whether you are going for time or to just finish all loops this is a great and fun way for the runners to track themselves as well as friends and family who can't make it to the race to cheer you on

Course and Details - 4.167 Miles of Pure Joy

Course (See website for interactive course map)
The course begins at East River Front Park. A beautiful park located right off the Jordan River that offers countless amenities. Most notably for our backyard runners is grass and lots of shade. In the form of trees but also a pavilion to gather under. The Jordan River Trail connects straight to this park offering quick and easy access for runners to start and finish their loop!​

4.167 miles and +45 ft elevation gain total
100% Paved Trail​
Course Map

4 Hours - 16.7 miles +180 ft elevation gain
8 Hours - 33.3 miles +360 ft elevation gain
12 Hours - 50 miles +540 ft elevation gain

Summary
Plan for a day filled of fun on the trails. We recommend bringing some sort of hydration such as a camel back or water bottle. We will have snacks and food at the start/finish for you. Come prepared with what you are used to having though. Better to have it and not need it. Come prepared for the worst and hope for the best!

General

Race
October 17th 2026
Starts and finishes at South Jordan City East Riverfront Pavilion 10911 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095

4 Hour Blitz will start 7:00 am
Early - $60 (ends 4/18)
Normal Registration - $70
Late - $80 (begins 9/18)

8 Hour Blitz will start 11:00 am
Early - $70 (ends 4/18)
Normal Registration - $80
Late - $90 (begins 9/18)

12 Hour Blitz will start 7:00 am
Early - $80 (ends 4/18)
Normal Registration - $90
Late - $100 (begins 9/18)

Packet pickup
Friday 3 to 5 pm at Salt Lake Running in Sandy

Race day pickup starts at 6:30 am.

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.

Food
We will be providing all kinds of snacks at the finish line just like you would see at any Ultramarathon aid station. Tailwind will be the electrolyte drink. We will have Great Harvest Bread at the conclusion of the 4hr Backyard and pizza at the conclusion of the 8hr and 12hr Backyard. We want the finish line to be a party and the race director does love food.

Free Photos
Xotio Media will be on the course taking photos as well as the finish line. Photos will be hosted on their website providing easy access for downloads using bib recognition. Please tell your friends and family about our races with these photos!

Finish Line
Make it a party. Bring your friends and family. There is plenty of room to setup tents, chairs, etc. Feel free to bring outside games as well. Backyard Ultras are all about coming together as a community and having a great time. Stakes are not allowed. Use weight, tie downs, or any means necessary to anchor tents. Nothing can go into the ground, sprinkler lines are everywhere in the park.

The Park
East River Front Park is nestled in a business park with thousands of parking spaces and plenty of room to setup in. This beautiful location gives us privacy to hold an event like this but also offers amenities for both runners and spectator such as a pavilion, playground, pickleball courts, grassy areas, and lots trees to provide shade.

Navigation
Course is marked with pink flags, cones, and signs.

Parking
Free parking and plenty of it. We will send out a map of suggested parking and setup the week of the race. Lots of room at this park.

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!

Volunteers
These events are not possible without help! To show our appreciation all volunteers will receive a $65 credit for any future Happy Trails race. Expires after one year. Click here for more info!

Late Registration
Begins September 18th and closes October 16th at 11:59 pm

We cannot guarantee all participants registering after September 18th 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.

Weather
Average high is 62*F and average low is 44*F

Race Director - Don Hantla
801-230-5070
happytrailsrace@gmail.com

Capacity

12hr will be capped to 60 runners
8hr will be capped to 60 runners
4hr will be capped to 60 runners
This is to prevent trail congestion. These numbers may change year to year based on observation and runner feedback.

Rules

Runner must be in starting corral when each loop begins unless they wish to drop.
Warnings will be given 5, 2, and 1 minutes before the loop begins.
Except for restrooms, no leaving the course or receiving aid on the course once the lap begins. Exception being restrooms.
No artificial aid (including trekking poles) and no pacers allowed
Slower runners must allow passes
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 loop to do what you please.
Crew and support may come and go at the starting area.
Plenty of space to setup, get cozy, and make some new friends. Can not block the course or starting corral in anyway.
Blitz Backyard format will be used to determine runner placement. See description above for details.
Must have fun.

Loyalty Discount

Save $5 with code HAPPY if you plan to do more than one of our events this year or if you have referred a friend to sign up for one of our races this year. This code will stack with others such as NOSHIRT

Happy Trails Marathon & Half 3rd Saturday April
Corner Canyon Trail Series (5k, 10k) May through Oct
South Mountain Half Marathon 1st Saturday May
Butterfield Blitz Backyard (4hr, 8hr, 12hr) 3rd Saturday May
Rose Canyon Ultra (50m, 50k, 30k) 1st Saturday June
Deer Creek Half Marathon 2nd Saturday July
Butterfield Canyon Marathon & Half 2nd Saturday August
Jordan River Marathon & Half 3rd Saturday September
Dimple Dell Half Marathon 2nd Saturday October
Jordan River Blitz Backyard (4hr, 8hr, 12hr) 3rd Saturday October
Traverse Mountain Half Marathon 1st Saturday November

As a small company we depend greatly on word of mouth and runners coming back to run with us. This is another way we can say thank you! 

Follow us on social media @happytrailsrunning for up to date information on races and FREE race entries! (Race Drops twice each month)

About Us

At Happy Trails Running we focus on a beautiful course and an amazing experience. We want our races to be events that runners look forward to every year. We believe in quality over quantity which is why we cap all races at 300 or less participants. This lets us hold races in unique areas that would be off limits to large race due to parking and trail capacity.

We also believe in keeping everything local. This enables us to both support our community but also keep costs down. We want our races to be simple, affordable, and convenient for runners. You won't find huge expos at our races, just local businesses, friends, and family having a great time!

If there is anything we can do to improve your experience with our races please reach out to us. We are always trying to improve our events. Your feedback, what you liked and did not like, is the best way to achieve this.

Our courses will not focus on setting PR's with mostly downhill running but instead on enjoying all of the beautiful trails the Wasatch Front area has to offer. We hope our races will make lasting memories and experiences for all of our runners.

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you!

We hope to see you at the races or on the trails. Until then, Happy Trails! 

Event's current local time: 5:10 AM MT