Sponsor Perks!

We’re 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. 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 hours/loops = ~100 miles.

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, October 23rd, 2026 - runs until only one remains.

Start Time: 6:00 PM — we begin during the hour of sunset

Location: Round Valley Quinn's Trailhead, Park City, UT

Course: ~4.167 mi loop, mixed terrain

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 1 hour.

No early starts. If you finish early, you rest, then start again at the next hour.

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 1 hour loop cutoff = DNF.

Awards & Swag

Winner (M/F): Free shoes from Mount to Coast + BUFF headward products.

Schedule (Mountain Time)

Thursday, October 23rd

10:00 am - 5:00pm Packet pickup at Rendezvous run store (1571 Redstone Center Dr #110, Park City, UT 84098)
Friday October 23rd
4:00pm - 5:30pm Packet pickup, Check in, and basecamp setup

5:40 PM — Briefing & first-timer Q&A<br />
6:00 PM — Loop 1 (first bell)

Loops continue hourly through the night/day.

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: 9:54 AM MT