Coming Spring 2026…Are.You.Ready?

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Event Details

Welcome to the first-ever Wadena Backyard Ultra — a Last Runner Standing showdown hosted by Agony of DeFeet Wadena Run Club at the rugged, root-tangled trails of Blacks Grove Park in Wadena, Minnesota.

This isn’t just a race… it’s a battle of willpower, grit, stubbornness, and heart.

TWO WAYS TO JOIN THE FUN

*Backyard Ultra Division (Last Runner Standing)
Perfect for runners craving the full backyard experience — whether your goal is one loop or one hundred.
*One-Loop Fun Run
Not ready for the full backyard format? No problem.
Run one official loop (4.167 miles), experience the course, and celebrate with the runners.


EVENT DETAILS:
Schedule
Packet Pickup / Check-in + Camp Setup: 8:00–9:30 AM
One Loop Fun Run Start: May 22nd @ 10:00 AM
Last Man Standing Start: May 22nd @ 11:00 AM



Participant Caps

One Loop Fun Run: 80 runners
Last Man Standing: 40 runners
(Waitlist available if full.)

Parking
Park only in designated areas
Crew/support parking areas will be available
Carpooling encouraged
Overflow parking info shared closer to race day

Backyard Ultra Rules (Last Man Standing Format)

4.167-mile loop
Starts every hour on the hour
Finish within the hour → remaining time is rest
Miss the start or finish late = DNF
No pacing
No outside help on course
Last runner to complete a solo loop wins
DNF happens if you:
Don’t start a loop on time
Don’t finish within the hour
Choose not to continue
Receive pacing/outside assistance on course

Course

Technical Minnesota woods trail: singletrack, roots, rocks, rolling hills
Final route + Strava map coming soon (weather dependent)

Relentless Blacks Grove Grind (Signature Rules)

This is the “not your ordinary backyard ultra” twist — designed to break comfort and test grit.

1) The Grind Reversal
Loops 1–5 one direction
Loops 6–10 opposite direction
Repeats every 5 loops
Wrong direction may result in DQ (no reruns, no exceptions)

2) Silence Rule (10 PM – 5 AM)
No music, speakers, cowbells/noise makers
Verbal encouragement is allowed
Aid station stays open but becomes quiet + low-light

3) One Comfort Policy
At check-in, each runner picks ONE from each category for the whole race:
Chair OR blanket
Hot drink OR hot food
Beanie OR hand warmers
No swapping later.

4) The Last Gong
Instead of a bell, runners get GONGED when eliminated:
Missing the corral start on the hour, OR
Not returning in time to be ready for the next loop
When the gong hits, they receive their personalized DNF chip (earned, not embarrassing).

One Loop Fun Run

Complete one 4.167-mile loop
Get the experience + swag
Stay and support the Last Man Standing runners

Mandatory Gear

Must carry:
Phone (at all times)
Headlamp after dark (backup recommended)
Reflective/visibility gear
Hydration
Weather-appropriate layers
Personal nutrition
Recommended:
Emergency whistle
Basic first aid / blister supplies

Camping + Overnight

Designated camping areas available
Primitive park = no electrical outlets
Bring your own tent/canopy + portable chargers/power banks
No alcohol, fireworks, illegal substances
No open flames (fire pits will be in designated areas)
Keep camp clean + respect quiet hours

Waiver

Waiver acknowledged during UltraSignUp registration
Must also physically sign again at packet pickup before racing

Crew + Aid Rules (This is strict)

Crew support allowed ONLY in the yard (start/finish corral).
They can help with food, hydration, clothing, gear swaps, basic care, encouragement (outside silence hours).
On-course assistance is NOT allowed.
No pacers
No “joining for a loop”
No handing off supplies mid-loop
Runner must carry everything they plan to use during the loop.
Violations may result in DQ.

Extra Rules

Trekking poles: NOT allowed
Rest/sleep only between loops — but you must be ready to start on time

Race Director Authority

Race director can modify/delay/pause/cancel for safety (weather, hazards, emergencies) and can enforce rules, remove crew, or DQ runners as needed.

Awards + Prizes

Last Man Standing Winner
Personalized belt buckle
$500 cash prize
All Last Man Standing participants
Personalized DNF chip (engraved by Kern Laser Systems)

One Loop Fun Run
Entry to win Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler (Whitetail Properties)

Swag Bags
Every runner gets swag + sponsor goodies.

REMEMBER..

REMEMBER… WILL YOU STAY ON THE COURSE?
Give yourself a reason to wake up. Give yourself a reason to show up—no matter how impossible your situation may feel. Stay on course.
I guarantee you one thing: you cannot beat it if you quit.
Quit, and you fail—period.
But if you keep going? You have no idea what you’re capable of or what breakthrough is waiting for you.
STAY ON COURSE. This is what you do. You were built for this.
But you have to believe your day is coming—that every sacrifice you make today will pay off.
If you don’t believe it, it won’t happen.
If you do… everything changes.

Event's current local time: 1:13 PM CT