Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra
- Date:
- Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- Location:
-
Forsyth Township, Michigan
49841
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps - Links:
- exploreourwild.com Register at runsignup.com
- Tags:
- 100 Miles Gravel Run Trail Ultra
Welcome to the 2nd annual Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra. This is a 24-hour capped backyard ultra. Join us for a fun-filled day (and night) of running and camaraderie. We can’t say enough that this race is for just about everybody. This isn’t your typical ultra-marathon. We emphasize doing your best, rather than strict competition. Runners will run one 4.167-mile loop every hour, on the hour, for up to 24 hours. As long as you can make it back to basecamp and the start corral before the next hour, you’ll get to do another loop. The goal is to have fun, enjoy the company of fellow runners, and push yourself as far as you’d like.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
We will be shuttling all participants and spectators from the Up North Lodge Event Center parking lot during the day of the race. No parking will be available on site this year. We will have a shuttle schedule available closer to the day of the event.
Basecamp Vibes
● Come prepared to get comfy! Bring fun games, tasty food, and your favorite camping chair to hang out in between loops. We’ll provide good company and a supportive atmosphere.
● No open fires are allowed at basecamp.
● If you bring pets, they must remain leashed per State of Michigan guidelines.
All Abilities Welcome
Forget the leaderboard. Whether you’re here to conquer one lap or gut out all 24, this is your challenge at your pace. The goal is simple: get outside, soak up the woods, and hang out with some fun folks.
From seasoned ultra-vets aiming for the full 100 miles to newcomers tackling their very first lap (a breezy 5K-ish), there’s a spot for you here. Come for the adventure and stay for the vibes.
Share the Trail
The trails that we are using will be open to other trail users during the event. Please treat everybody with respect. If you catch up to a hiker: smile, wave, and wish them a great day!
Important Dates and Times
Race Start: 9:00 AM, Saturday October 10
Race Finish: 9:00 AM, Sunday October 11
Runner Cap: 65 Runners
Early Packet Pickup: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, October 9th at The Up North Lodge in Gwinn (Address: 215 S County Road 557, Gwinn, MI 49841)
Race Day Packet Pickup: 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Saturday October 10th at basecamp/starting area.
Rules.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS THIS IS NOT A 100% TRADITIONAL BACKYARD ULTRA. FAILURE TO FOLLOW RULES MAY RESULT IN A DNF OR DISQUALIFICATION. ● The Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra, is a 24 hour event. This means that there will be 24 loops in total.
● Course: A marked loop of 4.167 miles (6.706 km).
● Start: Race begins at 9:00 AM. Each loop begins exactly one hour after the last. If you are not in the starting corral for the initial start, you are disqualified. You won’t even get one of our sweet wooden medals, so please be there.
● Time Limit: Runners must complete the loop and be back at the starting corral within the hour in order to continue. Each loop starts every hour, on the hour. 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, etc. If a runner fails to start or finish a loop within the hour, they are out of the race (Did Not Finish).
● Starting Corral: Runners must be in the designated starting corral at the bell. Runners not in the corral when the bell rings are done.
● No Lateness: There are no late starts.
● No Early Starts: You must wait for the starting bell to begin each loop, every hour on the hour. If you finish your loop in 40 minutes, that’s great. You have 19 minutes to hang out at basecamp, eat, recover, and have fun.
● No Leaving the Course: Except for restroom breaks, runners cannot leave the course during a loop.
● No pacers.
● Personal Aid: You may not stage personal aid, or have people providing you with personal aid out on the course. You may have as much personal aid at basecamp that you can fit in your provided 10'x10' area. Please carry enough water and calories to be able to run the entire loop, as we may not have aid stations on course this year.
● Slower runners must allow passes.
● A headlamp is required from the 7:00 PM lap onward. There is no lighting on this course, and you will be in the woods, in the dark. Failure to use a headlamp beginning with the 7:00 PM lap will disqualify runners. We strongly recommend a backup source of light as well.
Winning
● One More Lap: The winner completes one final lap, alone, after the second to last runner drops out. If a runner fails to do an additional lap solo, we have no winner except in the following scenario.
● FINAL LAP: If multiple runners begin the 24th and final lap, the race is on. The first person to finish the 24th lap within the one hour time limit is our winner. All other runners who finish lap 24 within the one hour time limit are also considered finishers, you just don’t win the sweet orange Stormy Kromer as we will only have one of those for the top dog.
Where
Anderson Lake Campground and the Anderson Lake Pathway sits about 5 miles southwest of Gwinn. The campground road entrance and trailhead is on County Road 577.
● Here is a link for campground information on the Michigan DNR website: https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/sfcampgroundsa-m/andersonlakewest
○ From Gwinn, Take M-35 N to N Serenity Dr (1.5 mi)
○ Turn left onto N Serenity Dr (1.4 mi)
○ Turn left onto S Co Rd 557 (3.0 mi)
○ Continue on Anderson Lake Rd to your destination
When you arrive at the entrance to the campground on County Road 557, there is a small parking lot at the trailhead and a gravel road. This road is just under a mile long, and our basecamp and start line will be at the end of this road in the boat ramp parking lot.
Course Details
Enjoy a great 4.167-mile circuit through the quiet Upper Peninsula woods. Starting on the Anderson Lake boat ramp, you’ll find a steady rhythm on a short gravel stretch before ducking into a section of singletrack.
The heart of the loop follows the Anderson Lake Ski Trail. It’s a spacious, rolling ski trail with a handful of punchy climbs. You’ll finish each lap right back at the gravel entrance, ready for the next one.
The Flow: A mix of gravel, a cozy section of rooty singletrack, and wide-open ski trails.
The Climb: A manageable 289 feet of elevation per loop, with a handful of punchy climbs that will take their toll as the day progresses.
The Vibe: Pure forest immersion with plenty of room to breathe.
Navigation
The course will be marked with flags, tape, and signs.
Awards
All runners who complete at least one loop will receive a medal.
Packet Pickup Details
● Friday, October 9th at The Up North Lodge in Gwinn, MI
○ 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
○ Address: 215 S County Road 557, Gwinn, MI
●Saturday, October 10th
○ 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM at base camp at Anderson Lake Campground
Base Camp Setup
You will be given a 10’x10’ area to set up how you like at the Anderson Lake Campground boat ramp / access site. This will be near our start line and officials desk. We recommend bringing a 10x10 canopy top, as there will be little shelter at base camp. TENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED! This will be in the gravel parking lot, so stakes may be hard to hammer in. You may want to bring weighted buckets for canopies. Please plan accordingly. The setup area will be marked. Please set up as close to other participants as possible, as we have limited space. Room to setup your canopy is first come first serve. If you show up late to setup a canopy, you may be going into the event on Saturday without one.
YOU MAY NOT STAY AT BASECAMP ON FRIDAY. WE WILL HAVE VOLUNTEERS SLEEPING AT BASECAMP TO WATCH THINGS ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
● Friday, October 9th (You May Drive In)
■ 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM
●Saturday, October 10th 7:00AM to 8:00 AM (Shuttle Only, Not Much Room For Canopies)
■ 7:00AM to 8:00AM
Parking and Shuttling
● On Saturday, we will be shuttling all participants and spectators to and from the event, as no parking is permitted at the campground for runners or spectators while the event is active. The Up North Lodge will be providing parking in their event center parking lot, about 2.7 miles away. We will be shuttling all participants and spectators to and from that parking lot. We will have a shuttle schedule available closer to the day of the event.
● No parking is allowed along the shoulder of County Road 557.
Campground Camping (NOT PART OF THE EVENT)
There are 2 campground loops with 13 total spots at this campground. We have not reserved these, and they are not a part of our event. You are welcome to reserve and pay for them on your own. They are available on a first come first serve basis, with a kiosk on site. The state charges $20 per day. You also need a Michigan Recreation Passport for your vehicle in order to utilize the official campground campsites. The passport can also be purchased at the on site kiosk. These sites are not that close to the race start, so we highly recommend setting up at basecamp, even if you are planning to camp in a state of Michigan spot.
Water, Food, and Self Support
There is one hand operated water pump at this campground. We will also be supplying water and snacks at basecamp. This will not be enough food to sustain runners planning on staying for the duration of this event. Plan to be self supported for nutrition. Bring enough food to accomplish your goal for the day.
Weather
● Temperatures tend to average in the 40 to 50 degree range, but it can get quite hot during the day, or close to freezing at night. Please plan accordingly.
● We plan on moving forward with this event rain or shine. If inclement weather does occur, we may cancel, postpone, or end the event prematurely.
No Refunds Policy
● We will do our best to make sure this event goes on. However, due to the costs leading up to this event and limited scope of our permits, all sales are final, even in the occurrence of event cancellation.
● Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
● No refunds will be issued, even if you are unable to participate