Capital Backyard Ultra

Capital Backyard Ultra

Register Saturday, Mar 28, 2026 @ 8:00 AM Capital Backyard Ultra 10702 Harley Rd Lorton , VA

Welcome to the Capital Backyard Ultra- a 2026 Silver Ticket Event! At Capital our goal has always been to hold a race for a small group of runners that we can help achieve their backyard goals. With a maximum capacity of 60 runners, our experienced staff and volunteers will be there to support you every yard. We like to think of our race as a “dress rehearsal” for Big’s. In fact, most of our staff has prior experience at Big’s, and you’ll see several familiar faces if you make it to the Team USA Championships (you might even see me as well!) The winner of the 2026 running will receive $1000 prize, as well as a super sweet finisher’s award. For 2026 we have moved the race to late March- “Fool’s Weekend”- to take advantage of cooler temperatures and increase the possibility of a new CR.

Event Details

The Capital Backyard Ultra will be held at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area at 10702 Harley Rd. in Lorton, Virginia, a suburb of Washington DC. The event will begin at 8am on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and proceed until only one runner is remaining. The nearest airport is Ronald Reagan National Airport, DCA (30 minutes.) The second closest airport is IAD (40 minutes.)

Race Rules

The format is a 4.167 mile loop that will begin on the hour, every hour. Three minutes before the start of each loop (three minutes before the top of the hour) three whistles will be blown. Two minutes before the top of the hour, two whistles will be blown. One minute before the top of the hour, one whistle will be blown. A bell will ring signifying the start of each round. All runners continuing must be present when the final bell rings, or they will not be allowed to continue. They are not allowed to exit the course except to use the porta potty until they complete the loop. It’s very simple. However ”Simple” does not equate to “Easy.” The last runner must complete one additional loop to be named the winner. All other runners are DNFs, but they will know that they have truly reached the limit of their endurance. The winner will not have this satisfaction but will have another opportunity to find their limit at Big’s in October.

Entry

Entry for 2026 will open Saturday, June 14. To enter, register on Ultrasignup and place your name on the waitlist. Any runner who has completed a 100-mile race or who has run CBU in a prior year will receive an invitation until the race reaches 60 runners. Bronze ticket winners will also receive entry as they come in. Runners who have completed a 50 mile race will be offered entry, up until capacity is reached, beginning December 1, 2025. You must accept the invitation to be entered in the race. The entry fee for 2026 will be $200. Please note that due to the small number of runners and the costs associated with putting on a top-notch event, we cannot offer refunds.

Bronze Ticket and Elite Runners (48+ yards)

Bronze Ticket winners and Elite Backyard runners, please contact me so I can set up a discount code prior to entry.

Bronze Ticket Races and their winners are as follows:

• Little Dog's (Sept 2024)- Steven Carr
• Andy's (Oct 2024)- Travis Walker
• Race for DFL (Nov 2024)- Luke Elliott
• Barn Creek (Nov 2024)- Dylan Ledbetter
• MAD (Jan 2025)- Kyle Kalbus
• Southern Tour (Jan 2025)- Kevin McCabe
• Death at Dupuis ((Feb 2025)- Julian Long
• Bullshit Backyard (Mar 2025)- Scott Snell
• Capital (May 2025)- Scott Snell
• Sweaty Backyard Cox (July 2025)- TBD