The Wasatch Yard Backyard Ultra

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 loops = ~100 miles. If you can cover 4.167 miles in an hour, you can start. How many times you answer the bell is up to you.

Race Overview

The Wasatch Yard is a classic Backyard Ultra at Willow Creek Park (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, December 5, 2025 ? runs through Sunday morning 7am or until only one remains.
• Start Time: 7:00 PM (first bell) — we begin in the dark
• Location: Willow Creek Park, Park City, UT
• Course: ~4.167 mi loop, mixed terrain
• Elevation/Loop: ~xft gain (TBD)
• Field Limit: 50 runners

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 60:00. No early starts. If you finish early, you rest—then start again at the next bell.
• Aid location: Only at the start/finish yard at Willow Creek Park. 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, broth/soup overnight, and light snacks.
• You bring: Primary calories. This is a cupless event—use bottles/soft flasks.
• Hot food windows: [e.g., 10 PM–2 AM, 5 AM–8 AM].

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.
• Quiet & Lights: Be respectful of Park City quiet hours; use headlamps/lanterns pointed down, no loud generators or music.
• 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 60:00 loop cutoff = DNF. Results list total loops; winner listed as Last One Standing.

Cutoffs & DNF

• Per-Loop Cutoff: 60:00. If you miss the bell, time out, or choose not to start the next loop ? DNF (please inform timing).

Awards & Swag

• Winner: x + free entry to next years race.
• Assist: Recognition item.
• Milestones: Patches/stickers at 12 / 24 / 36 / 48 loops.

Schedule (Mountain Time)

• Friday, December 5
• 5:00–6:30 PM — Check-in & basecamp setup
• 6:40 PM — Briefing & first-timer Q&A
  7:00 PM — Loop 1 (first bell)

Loops continue hourly through the night/day until Sunday morning at 7 am. If more than 1 person is still standing at 6 am Sunday morning the last lap will be for time and the first to cross the finish line on the last lap will be declared the winner. 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: Willow Creek Park lots (please carpool). 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. Hand-wash/sanitizer provided. (Park restrooms may be locked after hours—plan on porta-potties.)

Environmental & Community

• Leave No Trace: Stay on marked paths, pack out trash, respect wildlife. Keep voices and music low, especially overnight. We’re guests of the neighborhood and park. RD may modify course/schedule for safety.

Contact & Updates

Questions: [email protected]

Final instructions email goes out race week with parking map, course GPX, and any weather adjustments.