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Update

****HUGE NEWS for the Circle Endurance Event! *****We're incredibly excited to announce that the Circle Endurance Event is now officially a USATF Sanctioned Event!

Overview

"Unleash Your Inner Ultra at the 3rd Circle Series Event!"Experience the ultimate test of endurance at Ringgold High School in Ringgold, GA. The Circle Series Event, brought to you by the Chattanooga Track Club creators of the renowned Mad Backyard Ultra and the Locomotion Endurance Event, challenges you to conquer a 24-hour track race.Run, rest, and repeat! Circle the track continuously, pushing your limits and covering as much ground as possible within 24 hours. This grueling event demands strategic pacing, meticulous nutrition, and unwavering mental fortitude. Prepare for an exhilarating journey of highs and lows as you test your physical and mental limits."physical and mental stamina, requiring strategic pacing, nutrition management, and mental fortitude to push through fatigue and clock in as many miles as possible. Participants often experience physical and emotional highs and lows throughout the race, making it a challenging yet rewarding test of endurance.

Event Information

Runners are responsible for their food and water. Volunteers will provide an aid station with drinks and snacks, but it is the responsibility of the runner to make sure they have enough food and hydration to sustain them throughout the event. This is a cup-free event and participants will need to bring their hydration systems. Littering on the course will subject you to disqualificationFinal results will be calculated based on the number of total laps completed by the time limit. If you are struggling at any point, race officials have the right to evaluate you, and it will be their call if you will be allowed to continue. These decisions will be made with your safety and desire to finish in mind. Runners may have crew support every lap. The crew must stay in the designated area in the infield of the track near the start line. Pacers will not be allowed unless they are registered participants.Runners will be credited for .25 Miles per lap completed. Your watch will most likely show you doing 1-2 miles more than this due to the nature of track running. Please expect your watch mileage to be higher than your track mileage!Courtesy Rules: All runners have the right to the inside lane, yes even "slow" runners. You're fast, congratulations. It's your duty to run around other runners safely! If you are in the inside of lane 1, stay as far inside as possible so other runners may pass you also while utilizing lane 1. In other words don't run in the middle of lane 1. Finally, since runners will need to be able to easily pass other runners, please do not buddy up and run/walk side by side in the inside lanes and create a wall. Running should be done single file. If you need to buddy up, please take it to an outside lane (5 or 6). Runners will be allowed to bring gear, nutrition, etc. for their own "pit area". You can set up a small tent but absolutely NO TENT STAKES. This is a turf venue so you will need to weigh down any tents.

Awards

Top 3 Male / Female in each distance, along with Top Male / Female Masters, Top Male / Female Grandmasters. Special Awards for the following Participants:6 hour - 50K12 hour - 50 Miles24 Hour - 100 Miles (100 Mile Belt Buckle)Chattanooga Ultra Championship Awards (Mad, Locomotion, Circle Endurance)Compete in all 3 events and receive a special recognition awardComplete in all 3 events and complete at least a 50k and receive a special medal Complete in all 3 events and be in the top 3 male / female and top male /female masters in total mileage receive the Chattanooga Ultra Championship Medal / Award.

Chattanooga Ultra Championship Series

NEW THIS YEARThe Chattanooga Ultra Championship consists of the MAD Backyard Ultra (January 2026), Locomotion (April 2026), and Circle Endurance Event (November 2026). To be eligible for the Chattanooga Ultra Championship, participants must compete in all three races, with awards for general participation, completing at least 50K in each race, and for the top three male, female, and masters runners accumulating the most mileage across all events.

Lodging

Lodging -Holiday Inn Express - 38 Vining Circle Ringgold GA 30736Tru Hilton -5500 Alabama Highway Ringgold GA 30736Super 8 - 5400 Alabama Highway Ringgold GA 30736Avid - 50 Credit Union Way Ringgold GA 30736Small RVs/Car Camping: A designated section is available for those with Small RVs or who are car camping, allowing them to park near the stadium at Ringgold High School.

Race Day Information

All Times are Eastern5:00 AM Gates Open6:30 AM Registration Opens7:30 AM Registration Closes8:00 AM All Races Start11:00 AM 3 Hour Awards2:00 PM 6 Hour Awards8:00 PM 12 Hour Awards8:00 AM 24 Hour Awards (November 22)

Event's current local time: 5:06 AM ET

DETAILS

"Survive the Madness! 6th Annual Mad Backyard Ultra"Test your limits at the 6th Annual Mad Backyard Ultra, a qualifying event for The Big Dog's Backyard Ultra. This grueling endurance race challenges you to complete a 4.1667-mile loop every hour – until only one competitor remains.Each loop has a strict one-hour time limit. Finish within the hour to advance to the next loop. Fail to finish, and you're out of the race. It's a relentless test of physical and mental endurance. Can you conquer the MAD Backyard Ultra?"

RULES

Crew access is available at the start/finish. Tents and Canopies are allowed near the start line. We will give you a 3 minute, 2 minute, and 1-minute warning to get lined up for the next loop.All runners are required to be in the starting corral before the top of the hour. Failure to line up in the starting corral will result in disqualification of the runner. Participants must start a new loop at the sounding of the bell starting the loop.Once you are on the course, you are not allowed any aid from your crew or any other individual. No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners). Except for restrooms, competitors may not leave the course until each loop is completed. Runners are responsible for their aid on course. You must be on and stay on the course unless you need to use the bathroom.No artificial aids (including trekking poles) are allowed.Once you are back to the start and assuming you have finished within the hour, you may use the bathroom, eat, drink, sleep, ponder the next loop, etc., but you MUST be back in the start corral at the beginning of the hour to continue into the next hour’s loop.Runners will continue until ONE runner completes a FINAL lap. (i.e. If there are two runners left and one does not complete the loop, then the one that completed the loop will be declared the winner). No pacers whatsoever.The MAD race volunteers and workers will provide aid at the start/finish line.

COURSE

The 4.167-mile trail loop runs through Camp Jordan Park. The loop will consist of the exterior track, gravel, and grass. The course is flat, runnable, and non-technical.

AWARDS / SWAG

The last runner standing will receive a unique award All runners will receive a coin for their participation. Runners who make 100 miles will receive a MAD Backyard Ultra Belt Buckle.

AMENITIES

Hotels: There are numerous hotels in the area within a mile of the race start. Camping: Tent Camping and RV camping is allowed. If you are bringing an RV / Travel Trailer, the race director must know in advance to reserve a spot.

Chattanooga Ultra Championship Series

RETURNING FOR 2027: The Chattanooga Ultra Championship consists of the MAD Backyard Ultra (January 2027), Locomotion (April 2027), and Circle Endurance Event (November 2027). To be eligible for the Chattanooga Ultra Championship, participants must compete in all three races, with awards for general participation, completing at least 50K in each race, and for the top three male, female, and masters runners accumulating the most mileage across all events.

PACKET PICKUP

323 Camp Jordan Parkway East Ridge TN Package Pickup will be on Friday, January 15h at the race site from 5:00 – 6:30 PM and Saturday Morning at the race site from 6:30 – 7:15 AM.

Event's current local time: 5:17 AM ET

Chattanooga Ultra Championship

RETURNING FOR 2027: The Chattanooga Ultra Championship consists of the MAD Backyard Ultra (January 2027), Locomotion (April 2027), and Circle Endurance Event (November 2027). To be eligible for the Chattanooga Ultra Championship, participants must compete in all three races, with awards for general participation, completing at least 50K in each race, and for the top three male, female, and masters runners accumulating the most mileage across all events.

Race Description

"Push Your Limits at The 9th Running of the Locomotion!"Experience the thrill of ultradistance running at The Locomotion, a timed run/walk event on a flat, USATF-certified 2.00-mile loop at Camp Jordan Recreation Area. This year, it's the RRCA Tennessee Ultra Championship!Challenge yourself in 3, 6, 12, or 24-hour races and earn prestigious plaques for 100 miles (24-hour), 50 miles (12-hour), and 50K (6-hour).Whether you're a seasoned ultrarunner or just starting your journey, The Locomotion offers a supportive and exciting atmosphere for all. Enjoy full concessions, camping options (tents and RVs), and a festival-like vibe for friends and family.Join us in East Ridge, TN on April 24, 2027, and experience the best in ultradistance racing. We'll provide top-notch aid station support with delicious food and drinks to keep you fueled throughout your journey.Ready to discover your limits? All you need is a sense of adventure! Tent camping and RV spots with electricity are available. Come join the fun!"

Awards

The top 3 males and 3 females in each event will receive an award.There will be a Special Recognition Award for runners who can complete 50k in 6 hours, 50 miles in 12, or 100 miles in 24 hours.Awards for any runner who can break female and male 6, 12, or 24-hour records. All participants receive a finishers medal.

Event Rules

The Locomotion is known for its Concession-style event with a wide variety of snacks, hydration, and drinks. However, runners are responsible for their food and water. Volunteers will provide lunch to the runners. The concession stand will also have hot food throughout the event for the participants. This is a cup-free event and participants will need to bring their hydration systems. Littering on the course will subject you to disqualificationFinal results will be calculated based on the number of total laps completed by the time limit. If you are struggling at any point, race officials have the right to evaluate you, and it will be their call if you will be allowed to continue. These decisions will be made with your safety and desire to finish in mind. Runners may have crew support every lap. The crew must stay in the designated area in the grass near the start line. Pacers will not be allowed unless they are registered participants.

Packet Pickup

Early Packet Pickup April 23 2027: We will be at the Race Village in Camp Jordan Park in the gravel parking lot from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.Race Morning Packet Pickup: At the Race Village from 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM. You can pick up your packet in the gravel parking lot near the start-finish line. Signs will be up for you to follow. A detailed email will come out two weeks before race day on the park's rules and the race. April 10 is the last day to register to be guaranteed a race shirt.

Amenities

The park has PLENTY of room to set up supplies, canopies, tents, etc. The race village area will be marked off the day before the race. Participants are welcome to camp out the day before the race. If you plan to tent camp or use the RV facility you must register with the park and pay the fee associated with overnight stays. There are restrooms on-site near the start line and the backside of the course. We will also have a porta toilet in the start-finish area. Link to RV Camp: https://eastridge.recdesk.com/Community/Facility

Event's current local time: 5:29 AM ET