Grassroots Backyard Ultra
The 2025 GrassRoots Backyard Ultra is set to come back for its third instalment on June 28, 2025 in Okotoks, Alberta.
Okotoks is 20 minutes south of Calgary, Alberta. This 6.71 km course is primarily on asphalt pathway that runs along the Sheep River with a small portion of single track dirt trail and 34 meters of gain. The course map can be viewed in the event photos. Note: This is an open course following public pathways. It is flat and fast enabling Backyard runners to push themselves to new personal distances as we've seen in the last two GrassRoots BYU races. In fact, more than half of the 2024 field achieved 15 loops [100 kilometers]
Our Last Person Standing course record is held by Preston Schaffer who completed 35 laps in August 2024.
Timed Events
Timed distances are back for runners looking to hit personal milestones of 100km or 100 miles:
BACKYARD15 [BY15]— 15 hours, 100.65 km
BACKYARD24 [BY24] — 24 hours, 100 miles
Runners will be on the same 6.71 km looped course as those tackling the Backyard Ultra, last person standing. And yes, the same rules apply. IMPORTANT NOTE: The BY15 and BY24 have a REGISTRATION CAP. Deadline to register for TIMED EVENTS is October 21, 2024.
First bell 7:00 a.m. MT on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Visiting Okotoks
For those travelling in from out of town, the course is located near local hotels, restaurants, family recreation and amenities, and the Lions Park campground is just across the river. When you're done racing, plan a trip over to BANFF and take in the Rockies!
**This course is all on public pathways; therefore, an OPEN COURSE.
Race Rules
• Runners are required to run 6.71 kilometres within one [1] hour. If a runner does not complete the loop within the timeframe allotted, the runner will not be allowed to continue and is a DNF.
•A new lap starts at the top of each hour.
•Warning whistles will be given 3, 2, and 1 minute prior to start of each lap.
•All competitors must start moving forward at the bell. Late start results in disqualification.
•Runners are required to be in the starting corral before the start of the next lap. If a runner fails to make their way into the starting corral before the bell has sounded to start the next lap, the runner will not be allowed to continue and is a DNF.
•Runners are NOT allowed to receive ANY aid while they are on course. This starts the moment the bell sounds. Should the Race Director determine that a runner has received aid, the runner will be disqualified from the race.
•The last runner must complete one additional lap, a victory lap if you will, to be named the winner. All other runners DNF [Did Not Finish].
•No headphones -- this is an OPEN course and the safety of every runner is our number one priority so headphones will NOT be allowed.
• Age limit: must be 16 years old or older [on race day] to participate.
Registration
Backyard Ultra Registration:
EARLY BIRD $175 (Aug. 12, 2024 - Oct. 21, 2024)
REGULAR REGISTRATION $200 (Jan. 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025}
LATER REGISTRATION $225 (April 1, 2025 - June 10, 2025)
BYU registration closes June 10, 2025.
Backyard15 $125 (Aug 12, 2024 - Oct 21, 2024)
Backyard24 $150 (Aug 12, 2024 - Oct 21, 2024)
Last Runner Standing registration closes June 10, 11:59pm 2025.
No Refunds
There are no refunds for this event. Registrations can be transferred to another runner until 11:59 p.m. on June 10, 2025. There will be a $20 administration fee. Transfers can be request by email at grassrootsracing.ca@gmail.com
Event's current local time: 7:48 AM MT
