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Airdrie Backyard Ultra
July 17, 2026 ~ Airdrie, Alberta

one more loop

A 6.706 km loop. Every hour. On the hour. No finish line. Just you versus your limits.

VIDEO

HOW A BACKYARD ULTRA WORKS

Run
6.706 km

Finish within 60 minutes. You determine the pace.

rest &
repeat

Be back in the starting corral before the next bell.

last person
left Wins

Everyone else gets a DNF — and earns it.

AIRDRIE'S BACKYARD ULTRA IS HERE

Airdrie’s first Backyard Ultra brings the world-famous format home to Alberta’s prairies. Fast, fair loop. Incredible community energy. Easy access from Calgary. Festival-style village and all-day vibes.

track drone.jpeg
Backyard Ultra Rules

Backyard is a new running sport. It is neither running a set distance for time, nor running a set time for distance. The objective of Backyard is for the athlete to cover the maximum distance possible for their level of experience and ability.

 

There is only one winner in a Backyard Ultra, the runner who covers the greatest distance. However there can be many successes, as the rational pacing and team atmosphere of a Backyard raises many runners to achievements they never thought possible.

 

Every athlete in the race plays a part in the final outcome. The ultimate winner cannot reach the distance they achieve without the contributions of all the other participants.

  1. Course:

    1. Loop or out and back

    2. Must be 4 miles 880 feet in length

    3. Metric equivalent 6.7056 kilometers

  2. Starting Corral:

    1. Measured to fit entire starting field

    2. Corral stays the same size throughout the event

    3. Participants must be inside the corral at the bell

  3. Starts:

    1. Each Yard starts precisely one hour after the last

    2. Warning must be given 3, 2, and 1 minute before the bell

    3. All competitors must start at the bell (No late starts)

  4. Yards:

    1. Except for restroom breaks a competitor cannot leave the course until the Yard is complete

    2. No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)

    3. No personal aid during a Yard

    4. Each Yard must be completed in less than an hour to be counted

    5. No artificial aids (including trekking poles)

    6. Slower runners must yield/allow passes

  5. Timing:

    1. Keeping lap times is optional

  6. Winner/Results:

    1. The winner is the last person to complete a Yard

    2. All others are technically DNF

    3. Results of each participant in terms of Yards completed are to be given

    4. If no participant can complete one more yard than anyone else there is no winner

A man running on the street

THE RACE DOESN'T END UNTIL YOU DO

The Airdrie Backyard Ultra is more than a race, it’s a battle with yourself. On July 17, 2026, runners will tackle a 6.706 km loop every hour on the hour until one remains. No finish line. No medals for second place. Just willpower versus the clock.

Inspired by Lazarus Lake’s legendary format, this event is built on community, courage, and curiosity. Sign up and see what’s possible when there’s no set distance to chase.

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