For Results, Video Links, Timeline, Press/Media, or more information about the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, visit our Legacy Page HERE.
Below is the information from the previous Quarantine Backyard Ultra on April 4th, 2020.
Welcome to the Quarantine Backyard Ultra!
This event is a Free Backyard Ultra, completed in self-isolation or quarantine, streamed live on Youtube, with the largest, most competitive field ever assembled! You will be competing for the soon to be World’s most coveted prize: The Golden Toilet Paper Roll! Plus… Did we mention it’s FREE?!?
Almost every runner out there has had races that were canceled and have been left without goal races in the near future. We do not know when this situation is going to end, and this is a fun way to bring a whole bunch of people together to be able to test their fitness, join a community, and do something together when many people cannot leave their homes.
Whether you plan to do one lap, 50 laps, or more, come in and join the fun!
When is it?
The first bell will ring at 7:00am Mountain Daylight Time (GMT-6) on Saturday April 4th, and the race will finish when there is only one runner left on the livestream. Everyone has just enough time for a taper. No training, no race prep. Let’s see who goes the distance.
How does it work?
There are 2 different ways to participate in the event. Obviously everyone will have different limitations as to what they have access to, regional restrictions, and personal comfort levels. You can participate in any way you are able, but do your best to stay as close as possible to the gold standards outlined below. The onus is on you to track and document your progress to the best of your ability. Please make sure to follow the current regulations and laws in your region.
- At home on your treadmill (or in your hallway if need be),
- Connect in to Zoom call using a computer webcam, or smartphone with the Zoom app – this will allow you to interact with other racers and the live feed while running
- At the bell you will start your treadmill and run 6.706km/4.167miles
- When you finish the distance, point your camera at your treadmill to prove you completed the distance, and then you are free to relax, eat or do any other things you need to prepare for the next lap
- You must be back on your treadmill when the bell rings to start the next loop
- Running a loop or out and back course based at home,
- Connect in to Zoom call using a computer webcam, or smartphone with the Zoom app. Set this up in the entryway of your home which is now your starting corral. You will also be able to interact with other runners and the live feed during your rest breaks each lap
- Use a GPS Watch or smartphone to record your data and upload to Strava
- At the bell you will head outside and run 6.706km/4.167miles
- When you finish the distance, hold your watch in front of your camera to prove you completed the distance, and then you are free to relax, eat or do any other things you need to prepare for the next lap
- You must be back in your entryway when the bell rings to start the next loop
Timeline
March 23 – Registration opens
April 3, 0700 MDT (GMT-6) (24h before race start) Virtual Package Pickup (if you want to test your connection and setup, or have any questions for the organizers. Registration closes at this meeting.
April 4, 0600 MDT (GMT-6) Starting Corral opens and racers can login
April 4, 0645 MDT (GMT-6) Pre Race meeting via Zoom
April 4, 0700 MDT (GMT-6) Bell rings for first loop
Please Note
Running, especially at a high intensity, or for exorbitantly long distances depresses your immune system making you MORE susceptible to illness. Meaning, if you participate in this event, or any other physically taxing exercise, you will be at greater risk of getting sick, including, but not limited to the COVID-19. Only you can determine your personal risk tolerance to participate in this Event. Some ways to reduce your personal risk could include, but are not limited to:
– Limiting the number of people around you. Do not invite people to help crew or to come by and spectate unless they are already living with you. Remain as isolated as possible.
– Ensure you have enough food and supplies for the run and also for the recovery period following, so you do not have to expose yourself to pathogens when you are recovering.
– Treat the next two weeks prior to race start as a strict quarantine period to ensure you are not already infected prior to participation.
Finally, we do not recommend you participate if you are feeling ill, have a known condition that puts you at higher risk of contracting the illness, if you are in a high risk area where limiting your exposure would be difficult, if you cannot ensure an adequate amount of quarantine time before and after the event, if you will be in contact with someone who is ill or is immunosuppressed, elderly, or are considered higher risk.
Remember: This is just for fun – we do not want this Event to add any unnecessary burdens to the medical system, although you will be in the best position to decide if you need medical attention for any reason.
Current Elite Field
#0001 Dave Proctor 🇨🇦
Canadian 24, 48, and 72 hour record holder
#0002 Bob Hearn 🇺🇸
2018 Desert Solstice 24-hour, 154 miles (50-54 US record)
#0003 Will Hayward 🇭🇰
2nd 2019 Big Dog’s Backyard, 246 miles (59 loops)
#0004 Harvey Lewis 🇺🇸
Badwater 135 champion 2014
#0005 Greg Armstrong 🇺🇸
Vol State 500k (2019) unaided CR 3d14h11m
#0006 Joe Fejes 🇺🇸
6 day American Record Holder (606 miles)
#0007 Jay Kinsella 🇨🇦
Winner Bigfoot 200 mile
#0008 Matt Shepard 🇨🇦
Outrun Backyard Ultra – Golden Ticket Winner, 32 laps (214km)
#0009 Greg Salvesen 🇺🇸
233 miles (56 hours) at Big’s Backyard
#0010 Jamil Coury 🇺🇸
Failed five times at the Barkley
#0011 Anna Carlsson 🇸🇪
4th place woman TDS 2019
#0012 Olivier Leblond 🇺🇸
48h American Record Holder (262.18 miles)
#0013 Pete Kostelnik 🇺🇸
Fastest run across America, 3,067 miles in 42 days/6 hours/30 minutes
#0014 Darcy Piceu 🇺🇸
3 time Hardrock 100 Champion
#0015 Courtney Dauwalter 🇺🇸
Can identify every Jelly Belly flavour by colour
#0016 Rich Riopel 🇺🇸
161.5 miles in 24h at D3
#0017 Beverley Anderson-Abbs 🇺🇸
Women’s course record at Vol State
#0018 Maggie Guterl 🇺🇸
1st 2019 Big Dog’s Backyard, 250 miles (60 loops)
#0019 Johnny Hallenby 🇸🇪
1st Three days at the Fair 6 day race, 880.3km
#0020 Connie Gardener 🇺🇸
1st place at 6 days in the Dome 2019
#0021 Michael Wardian 🇺🇸
Previous USA 50km, 50 mile, 100km champion
#0022 Sally McRae 🇺🇸
1st place 2018 Tarawera 100 mile
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not an elite runner. Is this event for me?
YES! This event is for anyone who wants to test their limits and see how often they can answer the bell. Yes, we do have an elite field but everyone is out competing against themselves.
How do I sign up?
Follow the link HERE and you will be directed to our sign up page. After registration we will send you everything you need to get set up for Race Day!
How much is registration?
It’s free! If you feel compelled to pay an entry fee we suggest researching out to a local group that is doing good work with COVID-19 support ask how to support them.
What are the official Backyard Rules?
- Rules for the Backyard Ultra (From backyardultra.com)
- 1) Course
- Loop or out and back
- Must be 4 miles 880 feet in length
- Metric equivalent 6.7056 kilometers
- 2) Starting Corral
- Measured to fit entire starting field (in our case, this is your treadmill, or field of view on your video screen)
- Corral stays the same size throughout the event
- Participants must be in the starting corral at the bell
- 3) Starts
- Each loop starts precisely 1 hour after the last
- Warning must be given 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to start
- All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts)
- 4) Loops
- Except for restrooms, competitor may not leave the course until each loop is completed
- No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)
- No personal aid during a loop (common aid stations are allowed)
- Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted… including the final lap.
- No artificial aids (including trekking poles)
- 5) Timing
- Timing of the loops is optional
- 6) Winner/Results
- The winner is the last person to complete a loop
- All others are technically DNF
- Results of each runner in terms of distance covered are to be given.
- If no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.
- 7) Cap
- Race must be open ended.
What if I don’t have a treadmill?
That’s okay. You can set your laptop or camera linked to Zoom up in your front foyer or back door of your home. Every hour when we ring the bell, you leave your home, start your GPS tracking device and run your 4.17 mile/6.7 km loop or out and back and you need to be back in your home (the corral) before the hour is up.
What are the rules for Crew/Support?
It is suggested that zero or one crew is used during the Quarantine Backyard, and if any crew is used, they should be someone you already live with, or are planning on quarantining yourself with during the foreseeable future. During this important time of social distancing, the responsible thing to do is affect as few people as possible. And…. This is called the Quarantine Backyard for a reason.
When does registration close?
Registration closes 24 hours before race start (6am PT, Friday April 3, 2020)
Is there a race package pickup or pre-race meeting?
Yes. After registering you will receive all of the race information you need as well as a Zoom link to your email address 48 hours before race start. Before race start, we will host a “Virtual Package Pickup” where you will be able to test your connection and setup, or ask any questions of the organizers.
What time of the day does this Quarantine Backyard start on April 4th?
6am PDT (GMT-7), 7am MDT (GMT-6), 8am CDT (GMT-5), 9am EDT (GMT-4) etc.
I am terrible with technical stuff and have never used Zoom before
You can follow the link HERE to learn more about how to use Zoom
What if I don't have reliable internet and can't join the Zoom?
If you aren’t able to join everyone with Zoom, you are more than welcome to still join the event and track your laps using a GPS and upload them to Strava. You won’t be able to interact with everyone during the race, but you will still be able to have your name in the results, and get out for a fun run on your own!
What happens if I have technical problems and leave the Zoom meeting?
If you have technical problems, keep running, and tracking your data, and then restart the zoom meeting to rejoin when you get a chance. If you have someone crewing for you, this is a great opportunity to use them as your tech support.
I plan to run outside every loop, or some loops. Is there a database that I can upload and share my data?
Yes! There will be a Strava Personal Peak Quarantine Backyard group, you will revive an invite to this group after you register for the event.
Does the treadmill need to be at an incline?
No. We are not setting guidelines for incline. If you want to keep it at zero degrees or four it’s up to you.
What happens when I quit or cannot complete the lap?
You will need to leave the zoom call by clicking on hang up. The button shows ‘leave call’. At this point your video square will vanish.
What if I don’t make it back in time for the next bell?
According to Backyard rules, if you time out on course, you are eliminated from the race. You are only able to count complete laps, so your finishing distance is the distance you completed at the end of your last full lap.
Can I alternate between the treadmill and going outside to run?
Yes. All we ask you is to start and finish in your corral (the video capture screen). One little tip is if you have been running on the treadmill all day and really want to get outside for a loop, just leave a large note somewhere in your screen saying ‘Running outside this hour’. This way the runners running with you on your screen know that you are okay.
Do I need to use the same loop the whole time?
No, as long as it is the correct distance, you could technically run a different loop each hour for the whole race.
What if I suspect that someone is cheating?
We will ask you to flag that runner by emailing the race organizers with the person’s name and bib number. The message will make its way to the race director and if a runner gets two or more flags then the Race Director will keep close tabs on said runner.
What if I am concerned about another runners’ health during this run?
We will ask you to flag that runner by emailing the race organizers with the person’s name and bib number. This message will make its way to the Race Director and a health check will be addressed to any identified runners followed by a possible suggestion to stop. Remember people, this run is happening during a pandemic, we most definitely do not want to put any additional strain on medical services.
How many people can you accomidate?
Well that’s the million dollar question. Depending on how many participants register but we are ready to accommodate up to 1000 runners per live feed. There will be one elite runner feed with 24 runners.
How do I get on the Elite runner feed?
It’s simple. Just be one of the final 24 runners remaining. After each runner retires the feed will have less and less runners. If one of the elite runners drops and there are other runners on other feeds the organizers will shift the selected runner over to the elite screen.