Grind on the Grid Backyard Ultra

Run some yards with us!

In the Land Ordinance of 1785 Congress mandated that no land outside existing states could be sold, distributed, or opened for settlement until it was surveyed; typically into 1 mile square sections. These 1 mile squares were useful, as they came to 640 acres. A handy number, as then it could be subdivided into even acres (1/4 section = 160 acres,) all the way down to 4 acres. The section also turns out to be the perfect measurement for organizing a backyard ultra. Four 1 mile straightaways with a short connection to the start/finish constituting a single yard. Inspired by this pure yard, we invite you to come to the heart of the Heartland and enjoy what we’ve put together. Magnificent views of sunrise and sunset on a course that was designed for knocking out a large number of yards. This is the place to go further than you have ever gone before.

Pertinent Rules/Details of Our Backyard Ultra

1. CourseMust be 4 miles 880 feet in lengthOur course is an out and back, with a short grass trail loop toward the endRunning surface is approximately 1/2 mile gravel, 1/2 mile grass, and 3.167 miles of road with decent shoulders.2. Starting CorralMeasured to fit entire starting fieldCorral stays the same size thru out the eventParticipants must be in the starting corral at the bellWe are shooting for 100 runners!3. StartsEach loop starts precisely 1 hour after the lastWarning must be given 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to startAll competitors must start at the bell (no late starts)4. LoopsExcept for restrooms, competitor may not leave the course until each loop is completedWe will have portapotties near the starting corralNo non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)No personal aid during a loop (common aid stations are allowed)Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted… including the final lap.No artificial aids (including trekking poles)Slower runners must allow passes.5. TimingWe will not be officially timing each loop (for individual runners), but will certainly be keeping track of who finishes each loop!6. Winner/ResultsThe winner is the last person to complete a loopAll others are technically DNFResults of each runner in terms of distance covered are to be given.If no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.7. We will allow tent / canopy set up the night before the event! More details to come in the weeks prior to the race.

Event's current local time: 5:28 AM ET