Who, What, Where, and Why

Jordan River is a river that 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.

Backyard races have exploded in popularity around the world. The race is simple and yet imbues everything a runner looks for in a race. We have taken the best parts of the backyard and added our own little twist with the Legacy loop at the end of each backyard event. Comradery, motivation, great outdoors, and food, lots of food.

This race is a 4.167 mile loop course that runners will do once every hour for either 12 hours total or 24 hours total
If you are unable to complete a loop in the hour or choose to not start a loop at the hour, you are removed from the race
All runners who complete at least 1 loop will receive a finishers medal
All runners who complete 50 miles and 100 miles will receive a custom leather patch beanie
The goal is to push yourself to new limits. You will never know how far you can run until you try
Finish line becomes home base. Fun for friends and family to come cheer you on and hang out
Backyards require a sound strategy with how you manage your hour as well as being physically and mentally tough
Legacy loop will be the 12th and 24th loop and will be timed to determine the overall winners

Seriously though, when we first heard of this new race idea we thought it was crazy. The more we thought on it the more we realized just how amazing and fun this kind of setup is.

Runners of all levels can participate, great way to push yourself to new limits, and the finish line turns into the best aid station you ever had. What better way to spend your Saturday than hanging out with fellow runners in the great outdoors.

We chose a 12hr and 24hr format to make this more runner friendly and help with planning and logistics for both us as organizers but also the runners.

Give the Backyard Ultra a try, you might just enjoy it. Makes for a great story!

We recommend viewing our website for more information including course map and details as well as other races we offer! www.happytrailsrace.com

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

24hr Itinerary
8 am - First loop begins, completing this is a distance greater than a 5k.
9 am - Second loop begins, completing this is a distance greater than a 10k
11 am - Fourth loop begins, completing this is a distance greater than a Half Marathon
2 pm - Seventh begins, completing this is 29.2 miles +315 ft elevation gain, more than a Marathon!
3 pm - Eight loops completed makes you an official Ultrarunner with 50k+
7 pm - Loop 12 begins. It will be dark shortly after starting this loop. Complete this and you are halfway to 100. 50 miles +540 ft elevation gain
7 am - Legacy loop, this last loop will be timed to determine overall winners. Complete this loop and you can say you ran 100 miles in under 24 hours.

24 loops completed is 100 miles +1,080 ft elevation gain. You are a lean mean running machine who feels no pain.

12hr Itinerary
8:30 am - First loop begins, completing this is a distance greater than a 5k.
9:30 am - Second loop begins, completing this is a distance greater than a 10k
11:30 am - Fourth loop begins, completing this is a distance greater than a Half Marathon
2:30 pm - Seventh begins, completing this is 29.2 miles +315 ft elevation gain, more than a Marathon!
3:30 pm - Eight loops completed makes you an official Ultrarunner with 50k+
7:30 pm - Legacy loop, this last loop will be timed to determine overall winners. It will be dark starting this loop

12 loops completed is 50 miles +540 ft elevation gain. You are a lean mean running machine who feels no pain but is also smart enough to know when to go to bed.

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 18th 2025
Starts and finishes at South Jordan City East Riverfront Pavilion 10900 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095

24 Hour Backyard will start 8:00 am
Registration - $90/$100/$110

12 Hour Backyard will start 8:30 am
Registration - $80/$90/$100

Packet pickup
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. Gatorade will be the electrolyte drink. We will order pizza at the conclusion of the 12hr backyard. If you have specific food you need be sure to bring it yourself to have at your tent. We want the finish line to be a party and the race director does love food.

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. Great place to start and finish 24 hours of running!

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 19th and closes October 17th at 11:59 pm

We cannot guarantee all participants registering after September 19th 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.

Capacity
Each race will be capped to 100 runners.

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

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

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

All runners who complete 24 loops will receive a leather patch beanie custom made to reflect their 100 mile accomplishment

1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female will be determined first by distance completed. Should distance be the same then time on last completed will be taken into account to determine placement.

Legacy Loop

The last loop in the race will be timed and that time will be used to determine overall winners.

The 12hr legacy loop will begin at 7:30 pm for all 12hr runners who are still remaining
The 24hr legacy loop will begin at 7:00 am for all 24hr runners who are still remaining
Legacy loop will always be timed even if only one runner remains

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.
Must have fun.

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: 8:22 AM MT