2026 Silver Ticket Race and 2025 Bronze Qualifier
+PRICING CHANGE **
Our race prices have dropped! (we are not providing hot food any more)
ULTRASIGNUP NOW DISPLAYS FINAL PRICES INCLUDING THEIR CHECKOUT FEES
Welcome to the "Ode to Laz"
The event where "Finishing Last Means the Most"®
It's not just for ultra runners! It's for everyone to find their own limits if they'd like.
Our Oak Flats 3HR option is a great ways to experience a backyard event if you'd like to experiment with one, two or three loops but aren't sure how far you want to go.
Teams/Main Start/Finish Pit Assignment: Main pit spots go early, want to be there? Quick, get 3 others to sign up and form a team with you, we'll give you all 15% discount - you must DM/email us for codes and we'll manually switch you.
Escape the heat (most years) and join us at our beautiful venue for the amazing, 5 star rated, Ode to Laz Michigan Backyard Ultra event. We guarantee this will be the best event you've attended, or we will let you double your laps for free before you DNF!
Ode to Laz Details
The race follows the traditional theme of Laz Lake’s original Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra
- Start: Saturday 9:00 a.m. contestants start a 4.167 mile trail route
- Repeat as long as you wish
- Be standing at the start line every hour to continue the race and complete your next lap
- At 9:00 p.m. we switch to a paved closed park road, then back to the trail again at 9:00 a.m.
- Complete each lap within the hour, with no outside assistance
- The “last runner standing” to complete one more lap than all other contestants wins!
Packet pickup race day morning at your assigned starting area
Assignments will be communicated before the race.
Qualification & Waitlist
The Ode to Laz is a Big's Backyard affiliated race, so your results count towards any "at large" championship consideration and our Bronze classification can help top finishers ensure the chance to register for the 2026 Ode to Laz Silver event.The 2025 Winner gets free entry for the 2026 Ode to Laz Silver Ticket event,and individual assist gets 75% off, assist ties all get 50% off. The remainder of the top 10 receive guaranteed entry to 2026 if they choose.
Rules & Info
- Contestants provide their own aid, pacers are not permitted
- Crew is permitted, not required. Crew may leave and come back if needed.
Parking for 1 vehicle overnight for all full event entrants at the start/finish venue is available, 10'x10' canopy or tent space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Camping is available in the McGinnis campgrounds at the North half of the park.
Additional parking during daylight hours is available for fans and supporters.
- Alcohol is permitted.
- Glass containers are prohibited.
- Water is provided.
- No hiking poles, no headphones on trails
- A racer guide is here: Click Here
The Course
The 4.167 Mile Trail Loop:
4.167 Mile Night Loop:
Prizes
Multi-loop participants choose between the coveted Ode Ski hat, tech running cap, Headband, or Ode Medal. Single loop runners get the Ode Medal. The winner and any sole assist get the coveted Ode champion's varsity jacket. The "last runner standing" will receive free individual entry to an Oe race of their choice for the following 12 months. The assist gets 75% off an Ode backyard individual entry (assist ties all get 50% off). All top 10 finishers (plus ties) are guaranteed entry into the 2026 Ode to Laz Silver Ticket race.
The Transition from lap 12 to lap 13
You only do this once, we think you'll barely notice!
We've timed a simulated slow walk from your lap 12 endpoint, to a crew car, a ride at the park speed limit of 25mph to the lap 13 start, then a stumble to the start corral. 5:07 and 6:58. Really! Our transition rule is backyard approved and states that anyone in transition when the bell rings is still legally starting their lap. They get more rest than the other runners while getting there, but they have to make up these extra seconds running lap 13 faster to catch up. Lap 13 is the start of the road loops which are about 5 minutes easier than trail loops. (We will be assisting uncrewed runners with transition)
Activities/Lodging
Holly State Recreation Area provides over 8000 acres of hiking, fishing, boating and swimming fun for all ages. A public beach area with concessions, non-motorized boat rentals, and the “Whoa Zone” water obstacle park is suitable for all ages. A daily per-car park entry fee is charged by the state and not included in the race entry. Have your recreation passport, or consider an out of state passport if you'll be in the park enough days to justify it
Hotels and dining options are available within 15 minutes drive from the event venue. McGinnis campground at the North half of the recreation area is also available for overnight car/tent/RV camping for friends, family, and contestants who have dropped.
Find Us
See our facebook page with the link above or join our group for the latest info and conversation.
Click here to visit the FaceBook group
Event's current local time: 9:40 AM ET
