Sponsor Perks!
Mount to coast will be demoing their new H1 shoes during the event! Running a lap in the demo shoes is encouraged!
In addition, Mount to coast is sponsoring shoes for the top Man/Woman athletes, Middle of the Pack Man/Woman athletes, and an extra set for a mystery giveaway. 6 pairs of shoes!!
We’re also excited to have BUFF® as a sponsor for this event! Everyone who signs up will receive a 15% discount code to gear up for race day and the rest of the winter. The code will be active from December 3 to December 14, 2025.
In addition there will be frequent giveaways throughout the event by BUFF®!
What is a backyard ultra?
A Backyard Ultra is simple on paper and hard in practice.
The loop is 4.167 miles.
A new loop starts every hour on the hour.
Finish your loop in under 60:00, be in the corral at the bell, and you get to go again.
Miss the bell or the cutoff? You’re out.
It keeps going until one person completes one loop more than everyone else. That’s the winner. Everyone else is a DNF.
Quick notes
No banking time: If you finish early, you rest. You can’t start the next loop early.
Aid/crew: Only at the start/finish “yard.” No help on course.
Distance math: 24 loops = ~100 miles.
If you can cover 4.167 miles in an hour, you can start.
Race Overview
The Wasatch Yard is a classic Backyard Ultra at Round Valley (Park City, UT). A 4.167-mile loop starts every hour on the hour. Finish within 60 minutes to continue; be in the corral when the bell rings. The last person to complete one more loop than everyone else is the winner; everyone else receives a DNF.
Key Details
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025 - runs through Sunday December 14th night at 11:59pm or until only one remains.
Start Time: 7:00 PM (first bell) — we begin in the dark
Location: Round Valley Quinn's Trailhead, Park City, UT
Course: ~4.167 mi loop, mixed terrain
Elevation/Loop: ~249 ft gain
Field Limit: 100 runners
How the Format Works
Start: On the hour, every hour. You must be in the corral when the bell rings.
Cutoff: Each loop must be completed under 60:00.
No early starts. If you finish early, you rest—then start again at the next bell.
Aid location: Only at the start/finish yard at Round Valley Quinn's Trailhead. No on-course aid.
Winner/Assist: Winner completes one loop more than all others. The final non-winner who finishes the last shared loop earns the assist.
Course & Navigation
Markings: Flagging + signs + reflective at night.
Night Running: Headlamp required from Loop 1; carry a backup light/batteries.
Weather: Mountain nights can be cold; plan for big temperature swings and possible frost.
Aid, Food & Water
We provide: Water, electrolyte drink, coffee/tea, light snacks, and pizza on second day.
You bring: Primary calories. This is a cupless event—use bottles/soft flasks.
Basecamp / Crew Rules
Crew access: Yard only; no on-course aid.
Space: ~6’×6’ per runner for chair/bin/cooler. Small pop-ups OK if wind allows.
Power: No onsite power—bring battery packs.
Trash: Pack it in/out or use provided bins properly.
Pacers: Not allowed (Backyard rules).
Timing & Results
Manual timing
Each completed loop is logged; failing to be in the corral at the bell or missing the 60:00 loop cutoff = DNF.
Results list total loops; winner listed as Last One Standing.
Cutoffs & DNF
Per-Loop Cutoff: 60:00.
If you miss the bell, time out, or choose not to start the next loop - DNF (please inform timing).
Awards & Swag
Winner (M/F): Free shoes from Mount to Coast + BUFF headward products.
Schedule (Mountain Time)
Thursday, December 11
10:00 am - 5:00pm Packet pickup at Rendezvous run store (1571 Redstone Center Dr #110, Park City, UT 84098)
Friday December 12
5:00pm - 6:30pm Packet pickup, Check in, and basecamp setup
6:40 PM — Briefing & first-timer Q&A<br />
7:00 PM — Loop 1 (first bell)
Loops continue hourly through the night/day until Sunday night at 11:59pm/midnight. If more than 1 person is still standing at 11 pm Sunday night the last lap will be for time and the first to cross the finish line on the last lap will be declared the winner.
Awards immediately after the final loop.
Other items
Safety & Medical
On-site medical during peak hours; call protocol posted at basecamp.
Mandatory for night: headlamp + backup.
If you need help on course, stop, alert the next runner, and report at the yard.
Cell coverage is generally good at the park, but don’t depend on it.
Drop Bags & Gear
One labeled bin per runner in the yard.
Recommended: warm layers, extra socks/shoes, lights + batteries, nutrition, sunscreen, anti-chafe, small first-aid kit, camp chair, blanket.
Parking & Access
Primary parking: Round Valley Quinn's Trailhead lots (please carpool - try to limit runners + crew to 1 car).
Overflow: Signed on race day if needed.
Do not block driveways or trail access; obey all posted park rules.
Restrooms
Portable toilets at the yard.
Environmental & Community
Leave No Trace: Stay on marked paths, pack out trash, respect wildlife.
RD may modify course/schedule for safety.
Contact & Updates
Questions: tadschweizer@gmail.com
Final instructions email goes out race week with parking map, course GPX, and any weather adjustments.
Community of runners
Community Access Options
We want this event to be accessible to everyone in our community.
If the standard entry fee is a barrier, we have a few ways to help.
For Park City residents:
We’ve set aside a limited number of free and reduced-fee entries. If you live in Park City and would like to be considered, you can apply here: https://forms.gle/N93cGuE9Fz255r9N8
For underserved athletes:
We also offer free or reduced-fee entries for runners experiencing financial hardship or coming from underrepresented groups in trail running. You can apply here: https://forms.gle/vtMmhq3eNGdQRyjW9
If you have questions about either option, reach out! We’re happy to help!
Event's current local time: 5:30 AM MT
