Persistence Backyard Ultra

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

The Persistence Backyard Ultra has always been proudly sanctioned by Athletics Ontario.

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.