2026 Race Photos!!
Thanks to Jason Jackson for offering these photos free of charge!
https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/da66e79487044ef08df7b4440fe130d5
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Black Hills Backyard Ultra (Last runner standing)
• Route: Big Hill Loop A w/ a .6 mile out & back section of Loop D to equal the 4.1667 mile distance for each loop (counter-clockwise) *380 ft of elevation gain/loss per loop*
The trails at Big Hill are wide and smooth, originally developed for cross country skiing, allowing for plenty of side by side running and passing. The start/finish is the high point on the course. Each loop will trend downward the first half and climb back up in the second half. The course will be marked with a combination of pin flags, arrows, & ribbons.
This event is hosted by the Black Hills Runner's Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, focused on encouraging running, hiking and physical fitness within the Black Hills community. We operate under a conditional use permit from the US Forest Service.
*There is NO WiFi and limited cell service at the trailhead* To get a signal you may need to travel several miles back down Tinton Rd towards Spearfish.
Rules
“If rules aren’t enforced, they are merely suggestions.” -Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell
• Each lap is 4.167 miles. Finishing 24 laps equals 100 miles.
• A new loop begins promptly every hour, with warning whistles at 3, 2, and 1 minute prior.
• Runners must be inside the starting corral when the bell rings for the next lap. No late starts are permitted (for the first loop or any other loop).
• If a runner fails to complete a lap within the hour or fails to start the next lap (or isn’t in the starting corral at the top of the hour when the bell rings), they are eliminated.
• Runners are forbidden from receiving any outside aid once a loop starts until they have completed that loop. They may receive outside aid and assistance from volunteers & crew in between loops only.
• Anything a runner has on their person in the starting corral when the bell rings to start a loop (candy wrapper, soda can, jacket, handheld bottle etc.) must be carried throughout that entire loop. No tossing items to crew/volunteers once the bell has rung and no ditching items along the course.
• Runners may not leave the course once a lap has started until that lap has been completed with the exception of a restroom break at the starting line portable toilets or side trailing to use the bathroom in the woods (leave no trace!).
• Trekking poles are prohibited.
• Pacers are prohibited.
• Volunteers & photographers are allowed anywhere on the course at any time. Spectators must remain in the aid station area or in the meadow near the start/finish, but may not walk or run alongside their athletes or assist in any way until the lap has been completed.
• The winner of the event will be the last person to complete one more lap than any other runner. Once that has occurred, the event is over.
• Do not litter. We will have plenty of trash bags available on site. Littering puts our permit at risk.
• If you or your crew has an issue or question, address it with the race director ONLY. The RD has final discretion regarding these rules. Ask a question of the RD if you are unsure if something is allowed. Do not assume!
• The race director is the official keeper of time. Do not assume that your time on your watch or phone is the official race time.
• Most importantly, support each other and have fun, and just run one more!
Important Information For Runners
• The race starts on Saturday, September 12 @ 8 AM SHARP. If you show up late, you will not be permitted to start the event. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Plan to arrive around 7 AM, especially if you want to set up your personal camp area. You must check in with the race staff at the aid station tent by 7:30 AM. Final instructions will be at the starting corral at 7:45 AM. All runners & crew should be present for final instructions.
• At 7:57 AM, a 3-minute warning whistle will blow. At that time, all runners should be in or moving to the starting corral for the 8 AM start.
• Slower runners must yield/allow passes. Music is allowed but you must be able to hear fellow competitors & race instructions.
• As long as you finish the loop within the hour and are back in the starting corral before the next loop starts, speed is no factor in this event. All runners are considered “tied” if they have completed the loop. An average pace of 14:24/mile will get you back to the finish line in time to start a new loop!
• The “assist” is given to the second-place runner, as they are the ones who determine the length of the race. The winner is not allowed to continue for additional laps once they have completed one more lap than second place.
• If a runner elects to drop out of the race and quit in between loops (highly unadvised!), they must notify the race director or volunteer keeping track of laps (holding the clipboard). Their name will then be crossed out and they will be removed from the race field.
• If a runner times out (does not complete the lap within the specified hour limit), they must present themselves to the race director once they return to the common aid station to have their name crossed out and removed from the race field.
• Bring a variety of clothes for all conditions. This area of the Black Hills can be cold, hot, wet, and windy/dry all within a short amount of time.
• Crews and family/friends are welcome to join in on the fun – they just cannot pace you or give any aid while you are on the course until you finish a loop.
• 7 laps gives you an official ultra finish (29.16 miles). 8 laps means you have eclipsed a 50k. 12 laps is 50 miles. 15 laps is > 100k. 24 laps/hours is equal to 100 miles. How far can you go?!
• Just run one more!
Important Information For Crews
• The gravel road between the starting corral/main aid station and the runner camp/crew area is open & active. Please exercise caution crossing this road and do not stand in the middle of the road or let children play on it. There are plenty of other trails in this area to explore!
• Starting line bathrooms are reserved for runners only around the top of the hour. Crew & spectators are asked to use the vault toilets in the parking lot so that runners can access the closest restrooms. Please try to keep all bathrooms open & available close to the top of the hour so that runners can have priority in between loops!
• Plan to arrive around 7 AM, especially if you want to set up your personal camp area. You must check in with the race staff at the aid station tent by 7:30 AM. Final instructions will be at the starting corral at 7:45 AM. All runners & crew should be present for final instructions.
• Bring a variety of clothes for all conditions. This area of the Black Hills can be cold, hot, wet, and windy/dry all within a short amount of time.
• Crews and family/friends are welcome to join in on the fun – they just cannot pace you or give any aid while you are on the course until you finish a loop.
Pricing
2027 Prices Coming Soon!
Lodging + Travel
Free dispersed camping (follow Forest Service regulations) is available on much of the Forest Service land (must be 1/2 mile away from the TH). Facilities at the trailhead are limited to a vault toilet.
Spearfish is 15 minutes away and has numerous hotels & campgrounds.
Other surrounding communities within a 45-minute drive to the start include Belle Fourche, Whitewood, Sturgis, & Deadwood.
Rapid City is approximately 60 minutes away and has many more amenities, including a regional airport & rental car options.
Weather
Temperatures in the northern Black Hills in late summer tend to be mild, with average highs in the 70's-80's and overnight lows in the 40's. It could of course be warmer or cooler. It is one of the dryer times of the year, but the occasional thunderstorm is possible.
Your best bet is to pack for all weather conditions, including a rainproof shell, and bring layers for overnight. The elevation of the course ranges from 5,200-5,400 ft above sea level. If you plan to bring a canopy tent or shelter, please make sure you stake it down as sudden wind guests are common at Big Hill.
SWAG/Prizes
Each runner that toes the start line will get a unique local handmade mug "finisher" award.
We will have additional awards for the overall winner, as well as the runner who provides the "assist" (second to last person to time out or drop out).
"Milestone" awards will be given to all runners who complete the following distances throughout the event:
-Ultramarathon (7 loops) *Coin*
-50 miles (12 loops) *Wooden Disc*
-100K+ (15 loops) *Engraved Rock*
-100 miles (24 loops) *Buckle*
Directions to TH
The Big Hill trailhead is on Tinton Road (FSR 134). When driving from Spearfish, head to Tinton Rd on the southwest corner of town and continue on the gravel road for about 8 miles and you will see the trailhead on the left, and the large gravel parking lot on your right.
The easiest way to access Tinton Road is to take Exit 8 on I-90 and travel south on McGuigan Rd for approximately two miles where it will gently curve to the right and turn into Tinton Rd. Continue on Tinton Rd for approximately eight miles until you reach the trailhead.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/44%C2%B024'59.8%22N+103%C2%B056'44.2%22W/@44.4166132,-103.9481762,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d44.4166132!4d-103.9456013?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMyMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
*Download this location or capture it before you leave Spearfish as you may lose cell service shortly beyond city limits*
Aid Station
We will have an aid station tent at the start/finish with hot & cold food, water, tailwind, ice, a variety of normal ultra snacks (cookies, candy, soda, chips, gels, sandwiches, watermelon, wraps, ramen, coffee). We will fire up the grill and try to offer some food choices throughout the day and night (burgers, french toast sticks, bacon etc.). At some point in the evening we will send someone down to town to grab pizzas for runners, crews, & volunteers.
If you have specific food necessities, please plan ahead and bring what you need! Our food & gel/powder selection is meant to supplement your needs and can probably get you through 100+ miles, but if you know what works best for you, stop at the grocery store (Spearfish has a few) or running store (two options in Rapid City) and grab what you think you'll need.
There is lots of room in the parking lot just across the gravel road from the TH (start/finish) for you to set up a small canopy tent and/or utilize your car as an aid station. The closest parking spaces will be on a first come, first served basis. You may also set up your personal camp near the aid station tent close to the start/finish. ***If you bring a tent make sure you stake it down***
Cancelation/Transfer Policy
You may transfer your registration to another runner up to one week (Sept 5th) before the race date using the "Transfer by Bib" feature on Ultrasignup. This is completed by the individual participant, not the race staff.
As is standard practice in the world of trail & ultra running, we cannot offer refunds to participants as the fees collected are highly unrecoverable when being spent on permits, swag, food/drink, and other supplies to put on this event. Reach out to us on an individual basis if you registered for the event and absolutely cannot participate due to unforeseen circumstances. There is a chance we could work out a partial future race credit.
We will make every effort to host this event as scheduled. In extreme circumstances (wildfires, severe persistent thunderstorms, intense wind storms), there is the possibility that we would have to cancel the event. That decision will be made by the RD and the executive board of the Black Hills Runner's Club. The safety of runners, crews, and volunteers is our primary concern. We will offer rollover credits to a future event if a cancellation is deemed necessary.
We 100% plan on hosting this event rain or shine (or snow!), hot or cold. Be prepared for all weather conditions, perhaps all in one day!
Event's current local time: 6:39 PM MT
