Stonetown Triathlon 2026 - St Marys

This event is Sanctioned by Athletics Ontario --- We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with La Sportiva for all of our events this year. Not only will La Sportiva be at our races with their demo fleet of shoes to try but they will also be giving away 2 pairs of shoes at every event! --- We are also now working with a new, LOCAL, nutrition company called THN Labs. They are generously providing each runner with gels in their race kit as well as gels available at our aid stations. The gels contain only 4 ingredients: maple syrup, tahini, sea salt, and rowanberry extract. For more information on the product, click on their logo below: --- The Rugged Raccoon Trail Race will be held at Wildwood Conservation Area in St. Mary's, ON, with both day and night options. This is a really great trail and is a lot of fun to run. Although there will likely be mud on the course (there almost always is) and there are plenty of rocks and roots, we consider this to be a very fast and fun course.

There really is a little bit of everything and, although there are some climbs, we do not consider this to be a hilly course. There are lots of great lake views and there are plenty of long, winding flat sections where runners can really rip, if they so choose. For those of you who enjoy running in the woods at night, this might just be the event for you! It is also a great opportunity for runners who are training for an upcoming 100km/100 mile race that will require you to run through the night. If you are new to night running, we've got some tips that you might want to consider: 1) The brighter your light, the safer it is. A bright light will allow you to see all of the rocks and roots and, as an added benefit, it will most likely help to keep the sasquatches at bay. Everyone knows that bigfoot hates bright lights. 2) Animals sound 100x bigger at night so don't be afraid if you think you hear something. A chipmunk frolicking amongst the fallen leaves will sound like a medium-sized dog and

a raccoon will sound like a bear. There is nothing to fear on these trails. There certainly is no shortage of wildlife in the Conservation Area, just nothing to worry about. In the past years, participants have seen frogs, snakes, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, a skunk, fox, an owl, and countless deer. 3) Running at night is way more fun with friends. Don't worry, you will not be alone out there. There will be LOTS of other runners with you on the trail and we will have "sweeps" on the course making sure that nobody gets left behind. --- Race Schedule: Saturday, May 2, 2026: 3:00pm - 25 km day race start 4:00pm - 50 km race start. Everyone must be off of the course by 10:30pm. If you require more than 6.5hrs to complete the course (which many participants will), we will be offering an early start option at 2:00pm. If you need more than 8.5hrs to complete the course, we can start you earlier- no problem! You do not need to register for the early start; just show up ready to run! 7:00pm -

25km night race start (sunset is at 8:20pm on May 2nd). Everyone must be off of the course by 10:30pm. If you require more than 3.5hrs to complete the course (which many will), we will be offering an early start option, which will start at 5:30pm. Walkers are welcome but will need to start at 5:30pm or earlier. You do not need to register for the early start; just show up ready to run! 8:30pm - 10 km run start (cut-off time is 10:30pm- walkers are welcome). --- Race Details: There will be 3 distance options to choose from: 10k, 25k, and 50k - The 10k course is an out-and-back. Runners will start and finish in the dark. This will be on the new route that we started to use in 2023. Click here for the 10km GPX File. - The 25k night race will start at 7:00pm, which is 1.5 hrs before sunset. This will allow you to have the opportunity to get into your trail running groove before it gets completely dark. Sunset happens at 8:20pm on race day. The time cutoff is 10:30pm. If you need more than 3.5

hrs to complete the 25km race, we are offering an early start option, which will start at 5:30pm. Participants that start early, will count as official finishers but will not be eligible for podium prizing. Click here for the 25km GPX File. - The 50k race is now in it's third year. Runners will start at 4:00pm and get to complete at least 1 loop in the light. The sun will start setting around 8:20pm so anyone who can run the course in under 4.5 hrs will finish in the light. The 50km course is a double loop of the 25k course (which, is actually more like 24k so the 50k race is more like 48k. A nice change from some of our other courses that run a bit long!) Everybody running at night will be required to have a headlamp or flashlight (minimum of 100 lumens but 200 lumens or more is recommended) for this race, regardless of the distance you are racing (headlamp is strongly encouraged over a flashlight). As this race takes place in early-May, runners should be expecting some mud - usually there

is plenty! We can't guarantee it but we're pretty sure there will be some sloppy sections. If that worries you...GOOD! We encourage you to step out of your comfort zone - that's when the magic happens! Plan on getting dirty and bring a bag to put your muddy shoes in after the race. Check out the following video from our 2022 event: --- Aid Stations: There will be 4 full aid stations on the course. They will be at 4.5k, 10k, 15k, and 20k. Each will be fully stocked with great stuff and awesome volunteers. The 25k runners will hit each aid station once. The 10k runners will hit one aid station at the turn around. Runners can expect the usual ultra staples- water, an electrolyte drink, PB & J, sweet and salty snacks. Please note that all Happy Trails Racing events are cup-less so you will need to have a collapsible cup or bottle to fill at the aid stations. --- Race Inclusions: Runners will get a cool shirt, a teeny tiny race bib that you don't have to cut or fold, some other race goodies,

chip timing from Chip Time Results, and a very cool race medal. Runners will have the option to choose either a Unisex Shirt or a Women's Cut Shirt during the registration process. The title "Women's Cut" is the actual name of the cut. Any person is welcome to choose whichever option they wish. Please note, the women's cut shirts do tend to fit a bit small so you may want to size up. --- Camping at Wildwood: Do you want to keep the good times rollin' after the race? Camping is available at Wildwood. We will have a group camping site, which you can book through the park. Unwind by a campfire after the race! --- Our Race Charity: This race is in support of 'Ontario Nature'. Their Nature Guardians Youth Program supports youth and teens who are leading conservation initiatives such as: * Offering hands-on opportunities for meaningful engagement and community involvement through outdoor events and campaigns * Developing the knowledge, tools and networks youth need to create lasting, positive

change through conservation action * Providing insight on volunteer, education and career opportunities to help youth grow the skills, experience, and confidence needed to make a difference --- Refund Policy: Happy Trails Racing has a great policy regarding race refunds/transfers: register with confidence knowing that you can take advantage of our early bird pricing and, if you need to back out, you can do so up to 30 days before the race with a 100% race credit that can go towards any future Happy Trails event. It doesn't expire. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate cancellations within 30 days of the race. However, participants are welcome to transfer their bib to someone else without any penalty up to 5 days before the race. Please keep in mind that everything we need to order to have you at our race is done so at least 30 days out. Also, please note that we don't have waitlists. If spots open up they will be available on Race Roster so check back occasionally. ---

Join us for the 2nd Annual EZAS Farm 5k/10k. We will start the morning off enjoying a beautiful walk/run down on oxford county country roads. After the race guests are welcome to tour Darcroft Farms dairy farm and enjoy pulled pork on a bun for lunch. There will be activities for kids and agriculture industry representatives on site teaching about other local farming practices.

Note: May 31st Rain Date

DARCROFT FARMS

416698 41ST LINE EMBRO ON

9:00 am - Participants welcomed at Darcroft Farms to complete registration and obtain race number

NOTE: You must be registered by 10:45 am, so please arrive early

10:30 am - Tiny Trotters 250m

Little racers ages 2-6 yrs old are invited to dress as their favorite farm animal and race. Prizes for all participants

11:00 am - EZAS Farm 5k/10k Begins

Upon arrival back to Darcroft Farms, participants can rest and/or receive a guided tour of the dairy farm

Followed by Pulled Pork Lunch

Registration includes your race, guided farm tour and hot lunch.

Not interested in racing? For those not wanting to race, or wanting to attend to support a racer, you can purchase a ticket for just the Farm tours and lunch.

So bring your cheer squad to encourage you on across the finish line and join you for the farm tour and lunch.

Registration Fees:

Adults: $40

Youth ( 13-18 yrs) : $30

Ages 4-12 yrs :$10

Farm Tour and Lunch Ticket, ages 4yrs and older ( does not include the race): $10

Ages 4 and under can participate in the race, tours and enjoy lunch for free

There will be kids some activities at the farm for your littles to enjoy

Welcome to the backyard!

We are so incredibly excited and honoured to welcome you to our signature event, the Persistence Backyard Ultra, Ontario's original affiliated backyard ultra.

Do you have enough persistence to push yourself further than you think is possible? Do you have enough persistence to be the Last One Standing? Find out during the 5th edition of the Persistence Backyard Ultra, beginning on August 1st, 2026.

As a bonus for any Ontario runners, the backyard will be taking place on the August long weekend, giving you an extra day to run, or recover. That will lead to less of those "why are you walking like that?" conversations when you go back to work.

The Backyard is for all runners. Past years have seen a number of runners reach new personal bests, completing their first marathon, ultramarathon, or going further than they ever had. How far can you go?

This year's event is once again a Silver Ticket event. This means that our winner receives an automatic entry to compete in the World Team Championship!

We are very proud that the 2022, and 2024 events sent two runners, our winners, Amanda Nelson and Justin Wright, and our assists, Brian Bondy and Francois Decelles, to the World Team Championship.

The Persistence Backyard Ultra is an official affiliated race of Lazarus Lake's Big Dog's Backyard Ultra.

As with all of our events, a portion of each registration will be donated to the Children's Health Foundation in support of children and their families in our community.

Please note, that we will not be maintaining a waitlist this year. The race is capped at 67 participants, if you see the participant number is less than 67, there is a spot for you, grab it before it's gone.

Race Sanctioning

We have been proudly sanctioned by Athletics Ontario since our first race. We'll be applying for sanctioning again and will update this section accordingly.

The Venue/Course

The backyard will take place at the Eco Park located just outside of the northeast corner of London at 15889 Medway Road in Arva. If you enter Eco Park London into Google Maps, you'll find it (we'll have more specific instructions closer to race day).

Our course will be made up of a smaller circuit, of approximately 3.36 kilometres which you must complete two times consecutively within the hour to make up the required 6.7056 kilometre loop.

You will never be far from Race HQ, so this makes it a great race for those of you who might be unsure of tackling a new distance.

The course is very runnable, consisting of a crushed stone trail, some grass, and a dirtroad.

Please note that the Eco Park is a private facility. Runners are unable access the park to run the course prior to the event (also, the course won't be set up until race day).

You can view the course here (please note, this is an approximation of the course, and there may be slight variations):

https://onthegomap.com/s/au541jhc

The course will start at the green dot on the map. Runners will head west, before going around the pond. They will continue past the start corral, and then complete the rest of the 3.36 km course. After rounding the pond again, they will reenter the start corral and complete the 3.36 km course another time to make up the required distance within the hour.

You can check out some photos of the course on our website:

https://www.persistenceracing.com/persistence-backyard-ultra

Two time winner, Amanda Nelson, stated after her second win that "a national record could be set on this course."

Race Schedule

Runners and crew may set up canopies and other race items the evening prior to the race from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. The gates will not open until 5 p.m., so please don't arrive early. You must leave the park by 7 p.m. No exceptions. There is no camping option the night prior to the race.

Each runner is able to bring a 10 x 10 canopy. Please be mindful of your fellow competitors, and stick to this.

You are also encouraged to pick up your race kits if setting up on Friday evening.

The race will begin at 7 a.m. on August 1st, 2026 and continue until one runner completes one loop more than all other runners (or until no runners can complete one more loop...)

At 5:30 a.m. runners and crew will have access to the park. The gate to the park will not be open until 5:30 a.m. Please do not arrive early, as you will be blocking traffic on Medway Road.

5:30 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. Race day kit pickup.

6:40 a.m. Mandatory race meeting for all runners and crew.

7 a.m. The first loop!

The Rules

By entering this race you are agreeing to all of the official rules of affiliated backyard races as stated in the picture below. It is your responsibility to ensure that your crew is also aware of these rules.

These rules are black and white (as you can see above), there is no grey area open for interpretation. To maintain our affiliation, and allow our runners the chance to qualify, we must adhere strictly to these rules.

In addition to the above rules, we will be limiting each runner to 2 crew members to start the event. As runners are eliminated, they and/or their crew members, may assist other runners between loops. You may switch out crew members during daylight hours.

Due to spacing and safety considerations (the course runs along the only road into and out of the park), spectators are not allowed.

Your race bib must be worn on the front of your body, and remain visible at all times while on the course.

If you are dropping from the event, please inform a race official.

Runners and their crew will be responsible for ensuring they dispose of any garbage/recycling in the provided bins (previous year's participants have set a very high standard in this regard, they were awesome!)

Safety/Gear

Headlamps (or equivalent) will be required after dark for those runners who make it that far. Reflective gear is encouraged.

It will likely be hot during the event, please ensure that you have adequate warm-weather gear and are prepared for any other possible elements, such as, but not limited to, cooler temps, rain, etc.

We will have medical support on site. Medical personnel along with race staff will have the authority to withdraw runners from the event in the event that it is determined that it is unsafe for them to continue.

Please inform race officials before departing the site. If you are driving, please allow adequate rest and recovery before doing so.

Food/Hydration

You are required to bring all of your own food and drinks for the event. There is no potable water on site (the race will provide some hydration options). Crew members must also provide their own hydration and food. There is limited access to electricity onsite if you'd like to boil water. In addition there will be access to a bbq for food preparation.

Due to park regulations, there is no alcohol permitted onsite.

Camping/Shelters etc.

You are allowed to bring your own shelters. In addition, there is a covered pavilion (concrete pad) near the start/finish area which may be utilized.

Spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. As the race progresses, and runners are eliminated, we ask that eliminated runners move their camps further back from the start corral to allow remaining runners to have those spots. Eliminated runners/crew are welcome, and encouraged to stay to cheer on/support remaining competitors (within the stated rules of course!), and to have fun.

Timing

There will be no timing. That's what you have that fancy watch for! You are either back at race HQ before the hour expires or you're not. Simple. Whether you get there in 39 minutes, or 59 minutes, is irrelevant.

Swag/Prizes

Each runner will receive an awesome commemorative hoodie so you can brag to all of your friends about that time you ran a backyard ultra! We can confidently state that this may be the most comfortable race hoodie you will ever own. You can also use it as a pillow when you curl up in the fetal position after your 17th loop!

The winner will receive some prizes courtesy of Persistence Racing and our sponsors. Most importantly, the winner will receive the coveted Laz Jacket (think the Masters green jacket only way cooler and far more prestigious) and the silver coin.

In addition, the winner will receive a free entry to next year's Persistence Backyard. We will also provide the winner with $250 to assist with their trip to represent Canada***

To be paid once the winner provides proof of booked travel. If the winner does not go to the event, this money will not be awarded

Photos

If you're running for that long, we can probably get some pictures of you. Eventually, you will be moving pretty slowly, so it should be easy. We will give them to you for free, because, even though you might not like us when you are on your 27th loop, we will still like you.

Refund Policy

There are no refunds for this event. However, life happens. Work trouble, running injuries, a bad paper cut, we get it. If you have to withdraw from the event by June 17th, 2026 we will give you a 100% race credit for a future Persistence race.***

There are no bib transfers.

If you need to withdraw after June 17th you will receive a 50% race credit. Sorry, but by then we will have already paid for your stuff, and the resale market for unclaimed race hoodies is unfavourable.

race credits will be minus taxes, fees, and donations

Past Results

2022

Last One Standing: Amanda Nelson 33 loops (silver ticket)

Assist: Brian Bondy

2023

Last One Standing: Amanda Nelson 32 loops

Assist: Jean-Gabriel Gagnon

2024

Last One Standing: Justin Wright 47 loops (silver ticket)

Assist: Francois Decelles

2025

Last One Standing: Michael Rouleau 43 loops

Assist: Amanda Nelson

Other

If you're on Facebook, be sure to join the Persistence Backyard Ultra Facebook group (there is a tab at the top of this page).

This race is shaping up to be one incredible adventure. Whether you are trying to reach a new distance goal, or trying to win the event, we are going to support you, you are going to crush it, and we are all going to have one awesome weekend (and beyond???)!

We will have more information for you closer to race day in our detailed race guide. Thanks for being a part of the backyard!

"Welcome to the backyard family."

-Laz

please note that the above information is subject to change(we will advise of any notable changes)

Other Races

Be sure to check out all of our Persistence races here.

This is the 5th Annual Stratford 5k Run/Walk.

Thanks to all our runners from 2025, we were able to raise more than $32,000+ for The Local Community Food Centre (CFC).

The Local CFC Stratford 5K Run/Walk will start and finish in Upper Queens Park Stratford Ontario. The route will take you past the beautiful Victoria lake and the legendary Stratford Festival theatres. This race will be chip timed and is welcomed to all runners, walkers and strollers. We will also have a kids race with medals and treats from Rheo Thompson, starting 8:50am sharp. You must register your child(ren) to participate. The kids run is approximately 600 metres. 100% of the proceeds go to The Local Community Food Centre.

Remember: Reduced registration fee for all youths under the age of 17 that participate in the 5K. $20 + registration fees

PLEASE NOTE: You’ll notice a lower registration fee plus a minimum donation amount. Together, these equal the total cost of registration.

We’ve structured it this way so 5K participants receive a tax receipt on the donation portion and pay a lower processing fee. If you’re able, we encourage you to donate above the minimum and help make an even bigger impact.

Fundraising Challenge: You will receive a reward based on the fundraising amount you reach by end of race day (see below for the fundraising tiers). There will be prizing for all fundraisers that raise $250 or greater for The Local Community Food Centre. Better prizing as you hit higher fundraising tiers. For rewards please visit https://stratford5k.com/fundraising-challenge/.

Fundraising Tiers:

A. $285 - $534.99

B. $535 - $1,034.99

C. $1,035 - $2,034.99.99

D. $2,035 - $4999.99

Important Dates

Early Bird Pricing Ends February 9, 2026 11:59 pm

No Refunds Past

August 31, 2026 11:59 pm

Last Day of Transfers September 22, 2026 11:59 pm

Online Registration Closes September 26, 2026 11:59 pm

Packet Pick Up/Registration

(612 Erie Street, Stratford) October 3, 2026 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Race Day Registration and Packet Pick Up

(Upper Queens Park, Stratford) October 4, 2026

Race Day Registration fee is $60 (based on availability) , please register online to avoid price increase!

Registration fee on October 3th is $60 (based on availability).

We will try our best to have an electronic payment option but this is not guaranteed. Please expect to pay cash for registration October 3th and 4th.

Refunds

You may request a full refund till August 31, 2026 by sending your request to stratford5km@gmail.com. We will refund the full amount minus the processing fee.

TEAMS - You may register as a team. There will be a team category award. The three fastest times from your team will be used to determine the winning team. You MUST have the minimum number of three participants in your team!

AWARDS - We will have awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female (based on clock time). As well as top age category prizing for male and female for categories: Under 17, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Of course last but not least, the top fastest team will take home the coveted team trophy.

RAFFLE - We will raffle out a pair of Altra Shoes at the awards ceremony. So stick around.

ELITE RUNNERS - See more details at https://stratford5k.com/elite-runners/

NOTE: ALL PRICES INCLUDE REGISTRATION FEES