LATR Backyard Ultra

LATR Backyard Ultra

Saturday, Sep 26, 2026 @ 7:00 AM

16510 118th Ave. Indianola, IA

Registration closes: Fri, Sep 25 @ 11:59 PM CT

The Rules

1. The Course. Runners complete a 4.167 mile long lap (yard) every hour. (This adds up to 100 miles at the 24 hr mark!)
2. Runners must be back in the starting corral at the top of the hour or they are disqualified. (There will be 3, 2, and 1 minute warnings given.) Runners then must head out onto the course to begin their next lap at the signal.
3. Laps must be completed in 60 minutes. Race participants may not leave the course, other than to use the restroom, until they have completed the lap. (Runners will pass by a few restrooms along the course route.) Spectators and crew, including eliminated runners, are not allowed on the course. No pacers, and no personal aids, such as trekking poles, may be used when running the course. Slower runners must allow others to pass.
4. Upon completion of a lap participants can receive aid from their crew. (This is when you grab some food, fluid, maybe a fresh pair of socks, and take a few minutes to rest before the next lap.)
5. There is no race cap or end time or mileage.
6. The winner is the last person to complete a lap, finishing one more lap than anyone else. Anyone other than the winner technically receives a DNF. However, all participants will receive their results in the form of a distance covered/laps completed. If no runner can complete one more lap than anyone else there is no winner.

The Course

The race will begin and end at the beach shelter house. Runners will follow the Lake Trail counter clockwise around Lake Ahquabi. The trail is mostly dirt, with some gravel. Like any trail race you’ll encounter roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces. While running you’ll spend much of your time under the cover of mature timber, but with views of the lake. Runners still running into overnight hours will be required to carry a headlamp. Additional lighting will also be added to the course for this portion, but it will still be dark. There will be water, Tailwind, and snacks at the starting corral as well as at an aid station near the mid-way point of the loop. You will pass by several bathrooms along the course, and there are additional bathrooms at the beach shelter house.

Packet pick up/Pre-race meeting

Early packet pick up Friday, September 25th - 5:00-7:00PM at Lake Ahqabi State Park. Day of packet pick up Saturday, September 26th - beginning at 6:00AM at the Lake Ahquabi beach shelter house. (16510 118th Ave., Indianola - the main/south entrance to the park) Crews may also begin setting up at 6:00AM on Saturday. There will be a pre-race meeting, which is mandatory for all participants, at 6:40AM Saturday.

Crew Area

The crew area will be in and around the beach shelter. Crews may bring tents or canopies. Vehicles will need to be parked in the adjacent parking lots and cannot be parked on the lawn. There will be very little access to electricity, so please plan accordingly. There are restrooms at the beach shelter house, as well as at the beach concessions area. We just ask that Crew members use restroom facilities while runners are on course, if at all possible. Crew areas need to be picked up at the conclusion of the race, or at sunrise the following morning if the race ends during overnight hours. Please be courteous and remove all trash from your area at departure. No loud music permitted and please leave your pets at home.

Lodging

There are several hotel options in Indianola. Camp sites can also be reserved through the Iowa DNR. Lake Ahquabi’s campground is located on the opposite side of the lake from the beach shelter house, where the race will be located. Participants will run through a portion of the campground, so it is a great place to spectate from. However, please remember no personal aid is allowed for runners while on the course.

Registration and Refunds

Early registration is appreciated and recommended, as all spots filled last year! There will be three pricing tiers this year, with prices increasing on April 1st, then again on September 1st. A t-shirt add on ($25) is an option for anyone who registers prior to the September 1 increase. No refunds or transfers.

For the Winner

The winner will receive a medal and prize package. More specifics on this to come! Additionally, our 2026 race will be a bronze event under our Big's Backyard Ultra affiliation, with the winner receiving a bronze coin!

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