Skip to main content

More races nearby

More races nearby →
  • Distance: 453 m from Sparks
    300 Howard Drive, Sparks, Nevada, 89432, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
    Sat, May 22, 2027 at 9:00 AM

    When

    Saturday, May 22, 2027 at 9:00 am. The event goes until only one person is standing.

    Where

    The Sparks Backyard Ultra will be held at beautiful Sparks Marina located at 300 Howard Drive, Sparks, Nevada 89434. The marina is the centerpiece of our races and provides a beautiful backdrop, while exemplifying everything that makes Sparks special: a community that celebrates outdoor recreation, supports athletic excellence, and warmly welcomes visitors from around the country.

    What

    Sparks Backyard Ultra is a qualifying event! Since the race is an official member of the Backyard Ultra Association, all Sparks Backyard Ultra entrants are eligible to earn a spot on the National Team for the Satellite Team Championships and the World Individual Championships at Big Dog's Backyard in Bell Buckle, TN.We are also offering mini-Backyard races of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. The same rules apply except these races end at your chosen time. There is no winner. You either finish your time or DNF if you don't run until the end of your chosen race time. These mini races are designed to introduce newcomers to the sport of ultra running in general and backyard ultras specifically. If you are up for 24 hours or more, you should enter the open ended Backyard Ultra race.

    Why

    The Sparks Backyard Ultra will be a great opportunity to reach new distances and achieve a personal record. Your fellow runners will energize and incentivize you to go further and do better than you ever thought possible.

    Sparks Backyard Ultra Course

    Participants run a 4.167 mile course every hour until only one person is standing. At the Sparks Marina, this segment is a little over 2 laps. If you finish the 4.167 mile distance (called a "yard") within the hour, you can run the next yard. If you do not finish the yard within the hour, you are out of the race. The 4.167 mile length is by design. Each lap of a Backyard Ultra evenly divides a 100 mile distance into 24 one-hour segments. Since each loop around the Sparks Marina is 1.95 miles, the course will have an additional short loop at the beginning of each yard to ensure the 4.167 mile distance is accurate. This will be a short loop around the Veteran's Plaza and Peninsula. We will have signs to guide runners, however after the first yard you will know the course and be able to follow without hesitation.

    Sparks Backyard Ultra Aid Stations

    We will provide water, ice, and Heed, as well as normal aid station fare (pretzels, chips, gu, etc.). We will have tents, chairs, and cots. You can bring your own aid station if you choose (pop-up, chairs, etc.) and whatever other drinks and food you want for the race. There will be food trucks at the venue during normal meal times and you can pay for what you order.

    Sparks Backyard Ultra Rules

    1. Except for bathroom breaks, a competitor cannot leave the course until the yard is completed.2. No personal aid during a yard. After completing a yard, the runner may go to their personal aid station for food, drinks, rest, and comfort.3. Each yard must be completed in less than one hour to be counted.4. No artificial aids allowed, including trekking poles. 5. Slower runners must yield to faster runners.6. The winner ins the last person to complete a yard. All others are technically DNF.7. If no participant can complete one more yard than anyone else, there is no winner.

    Sparks Backyard Ultra Awards

    We will give awards and provide cool race swag. Everyone who reaches 100 miles receives a belt buckle and 100-mile finisher flannel shirt.Every entrant who finishes at least five yards will receive a Finishers Award.The overall winner, the Last Person Standing, receives a first place award. The second place receives the Assist Award. In addition, the top three males and top three females receive awards.For the Mini Backyard: Every runner who finishes their chosen time receives an award.

    Questions / Contact

    Contact us with questions at https://www.biggestlittleultra.com/contact or via email to [email protected]

    Event's current local time: 1:33 AM PT

    Backyard UltraRunUltra
  • Distance: 7.7 km from Sparks
    4400 Alexander Lake Rd, Reno, Nevada, 89502, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
    Sat, Dec 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Enjoy a trail run in the beautiful Rattlesnake Mountain and Huffaker hills. This course is all trail.

    Long sleeve performance shirt is included in race registration fee.

    The 5k race will begin at 9am on Saturday December 26th, 2026.

    5k and virtual 5k available

    Youth and adult athletes are welcome, ages 5 and up.

    This is a recognized and sanctioned race by USA track and field.

    EMT services will be provided by REMSA.

    This race will be officially timed and results will be posted online after the race.

    Parking

    Parking is limited at Huffaker Hills Trailhead, once the parking lot and side of the road parking is full, volunteers will direct participants to park at the Longley Town center parking lot at the bottom of the mountain where a shuttle will be available.

    We encourage participants and fans to ride in the same vehicle and arrive early to the race.

    Shuttle Service will be available from 7am-11am from the parking lot at the Longley Town Center.

    In front of the former "Wasting Arrows" store which is now vacant.

    5260 Longley Lane

    Reno, NV 89511

    Please park and wait for the shuttle, we have a 15 passenger van which will depart every 15 minutes or when the van is full to assist with getting participants and fans to the starting line.

    If you have questions please email the race director

    [email protected]

    Professional Photography Services

    We will have professional photography at this year's event sponsored by Comet Creation.

    Comet Creation's signature work is movement.

    Specializing in candid and intense in-motion portraits of people's passions, love, life events and hard work that reflects who they are, and what they do with purpose.

    You don't have to pause.

    Live, enjoy, and let Comet Creation do the rest!

    Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/cometcreationllc/

    Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CometCreationLLC

    Website : www.comet-creation.com

    Packet Pickup

    Packet Pickup will be available at the Huffaker Hills Trailhead from:

    2-5pm on Friday December 25th and 7-8:30am on Saturday December 26th.

    Huffaker Hills Trailhead

    4400 Alexander Lake Road

    Reno, NV 89521

    This is a fundraiser for the Azteca FC youth Cross Country and track program. Every season members from Azteca FC work hard to qualify for the Junior Olympics. This 5k is a fundraiser to assist the athletes who qualify to attend and compete in the Junior Olympics. In July 2025, Jackson Sevilla and Ethan Tang, represented Azteca FC at the Junior Olympics In Savannah, Georgia. Your generous support helps athletes compete at the highest level and gain national recognition to help them earn opportunities to compete at the college level.

    3.1 Miles5kRunTrailVirtual
  • Distance: 8.5 km from Sparks
    Sun, Aug 23, 2026 at 7:25 AM

    Join us for the 55th running of the Journal Jog 8K — "Reno’s Oldest Footrace". Since 1969, this iconic event has been a proud tradition of the Northern Nevada running community, bringing generations of runners together in the heart of Old Southwest Reno.

    The flat, fast 8K course winds through scenic, historic neighborhoods before routing into and finishing directly on the Reno High School track — a rare and unforgettable experience you won’t find at any other race.

    Families are part of the tradition! The Stroller-Run division gives parents the chance to truly race with their child and compete for a top-three finish, while all other stroller walkers will join the runners and walkers in the main Run/Walk/Stroller-Walk division.

    Introducing children to the joy of running, the Junior Jog race will allow children to experience the thrill of participating in a large community race and finish on the track alongside the 8K field. This separate race will take place later in the morning, welcome kids ages 10 and under, and consist of a short, safe run centered around the finish area.

    Start Times:

    • Stroller Run – 7:25 AM

    • Runners / Walkers / Stroller-Walk – 7:30 AM

    • Junior Jog - 9:00 AM

    Be part of Reno running history. Carry the tradition forward. Experience the Journal Jog 8K!

    Visit the Race Website for complete event details!

    8kRunWalk