Eat Well | Sleep Well | Move Well | FREE 5K

more than just a race, it’s a celebration of life, resilience, and community.

Born from my personal journey with Stage IV mediastinal paraganglioma, JP’s Backyard Ultra is a fundraiser for the Pheo Para Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-1510652) dedicated to empowering patients, families, and medical professionals affected by pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma through education, advocacy, and global support. Learn more at www.pheopara.org.

Whether you're in it for one loop or ten, come run or hike in solidarity, to honor those facing rare diseases, to challenge yourself, and to stand as part of a growing force for good.

~Jonathan Pascual

• The course features a 3.3 mile loop with 550+ feet of climbing, offering a mix of terrain from steep rocky sections to shaded paths. Scroll down for map below.

• Participants can choose anywhere from 1 to 10 loops.

• Runners and hikers alike start at the same time every hour going clockwise on the even hours and counterclockwise on the odd hours. So it doesn't matter if you finish your loop fast or slow because everyone starts again at the same time in the next hour. Those attempting 10 loops should pace themselves for a final race on the 10th loop making 33.3 miles. You can do as many or as few loops as you wish however.

• Timed Event: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Please arrive by 0730 for course description, announcement of run prize categories & fundraising prizes.

• Aid Station: Main camp has various caloric options and drinks with water only at the bridge and mile 2.3.

• Food & Beverages: Provided, including lunch for participants and volunteers.

• Cupless Event: Bring your own water bottle or hydration pack. HYDRAPAK, our Sustainable Racing Partner will provide limited 300 Limited Edition HydraPak Graphic SpeedCups & 8 SpeedFill Pitchers for use at aid stations.

• Awards:

• Medals to all registered hikers and runners.

• Medal & wine (non-alcoholic option for under 21) for top three male and female finishers of the 2, 4, 6, 8 loops.

• Medal, wine, and trophy for the fastest 10th loop goes to the top three male and female finishers and special Vinerunner 4th place trophy.

• Medal, wine, and trophy for the fastest cumulative time for 10 loops goes to the top three male and female finishers.

• Raffle Prizes: buy tickets on day of event to win raffle baskets, gift certificates, and other special prizes. Proceeds benefit the Pheo Para Alliance.

• Silent Wine Auction: place your bids on exceptional wines generously donated by local Napa Valley wineries, starting at an unbeatable buy-now price. Proceeds benefit the Pheo Para Alliance.

• Registration "Fee": Donation Link

• JP's Backyard Ultra has always been a free event. Suggested donation to register starts at $30.

• Participants get a medal, a variety of snacks and drinks at the aid station, and lunch.

• To streamline registration, we are using runsignup.com. 100% of suggested starting donation of $30 goes directly to the Pheo Para Alliance. The processing fee of 6% per $1 of transaction (cart). This fee is charged per transaction, not per individual participant, meaning that if a user registers multiple people to a single cart, the $1 fee is only charged once, lowering the overall cost per person.

• If you cannot attend or want to donate beyond the suggested amount, consider giving an additional donation at the donation link.

• Parking:

• Do not park at Skyline's main parking lot to avoid parking fee. Parking opens at 0600.

• Follow signs for "JP's Backyard Ultra Parking" for free parking for registered participants at the Westside parking lot of Skyline Wilderness Park.

• Childcare: We have volunteers to watch your kids from 0800-1200.

• Park Rules: No dogs on trails, stay on marked trails, carry out your trash & put in appropriate bins at the main aid station, trails close at sunset.

• Camp with us: reservations at Skyline's Website: Reserve Camp Site. Mention JP's Backyard Ultra to reserve your spot in our campsite on Friday 9/25 & Saturday 9/26. Camping reservation with vehicles is nearby but will be separate from the tent only camping.

registered by 9/15 will receive an event t-shirt. The first 350 to register will receive a finisher medal. The race will begin and end at Bayfront Blvd in Hercules. Run along the Bay Front Trail where you can expect beautiful views and a gentle breeze.

COME FOR THE RUN, STAY FOR THE FUN! The Bay Front Festival will follow directly after the run. Enjoy local entertainment, Music, Food Trucks, Shop local small business & meet community organizations.

Race Times:

8:30 am 5K, 10K & 1 Mile

10:30 am Kids Fun Run (ages 3-6)

Kids Fun Run (ages 7-10)

Event Entry Fees:

5K, 10K & 1 Mile Run/Walk $35 - In Person

Kid Fun Run $15 - In Person

REGISTER BY 9/15 to receive an event T-Shirt.

The first 350 to register will receive a Finisher Medal.

EARLY PACKET PICK UP ~ Saturday, October 3rd- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The Dylan Apartments

2200 John Muir Parkway, Hercules

REGISTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE TAKEN DURING EARLY PACKET PICK UP

Packet Pick-Up and Last (Race Day) Registration

Sunday, October 4th at Sanderling & Bayfront Blvd., Hercules

5K, 10K & 1 Mile 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

Kids Fun Run 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. (Ages 3 - 10)

Race Course: The race begins at Sanderling & Bayfront, it runs along Bayfront Blvd to the Bay Trail entrance at John Muir Pkwy. the run continues along the Bay Trail thru Hercules to Rodeo. The turn -about is at the end of the Bay Trail in Rodeo. Those doing a 10K will do a double loop.

Timing: 5K & 10K Run will be chip timed/scored and results will be posted after the event. Bib must be worn to be timed/scored.

5K & 10K Awards: Top Female & Male

Registration fees are non-refundable but can be transferred to another individual.

Parking on Bayfront Blvd. from Railroad to Promenade & on John Muir Parkway

For more information, visit www.HerculesEducationFoundation.org

Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors!

Emerald

City of Hercules

Bio-Rad

MCE

Mechanics Bank

Phillips 66

Republic Services

Sapphire

Appleberry Plumbing

La Strada

Lynda, Steve & Conor Lopez

Valley Bible Church

Topaz

Axelrode Orthodontics

Cavallini-Mullan Family

Mark Porter - Ameriprise

Print'em All

Sarah Creeley

Villa-Serrano Family

Jade

Albert Tsang, DDS

AT&T

East Bay Regional Park District

Farm Fresh to Youfi

Leaffilter Gutter Protection

LGNDS Studios

Sama Academy of Martial Arts

Security Public Storage - Pinole

Sol Dance Academy

WynnFit

Opal

Cafe Tapioca Donuts

Dauer-Sargentini Family

Dilli Bhattarai - Hercules City Council

Greg Santiago

Kel-aire Heating & Air Conditioning

Learn & Play Montessori School Hercules

North Shore Dental

Yuen-Orman Family

(10 and under) attending with 5K/10K runners will receive free entry into Little Turkeys and receive special medals and a goodie bag.

Nitro Turkey is also hosting a food drive for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano and encourages every little turkey to bring at least one canned good on race morning.

Thanksgiving-themed costumes (for children and adults) are highly encouraged! Walkers and families are welcome!

Want to make your Thanksgiving Epic? Sign up for the Double Turkey Challenge!

Participate in both of Brazen Racing's Thanksgiving events (Nitro Turkey on Thanksgiving Day and Quarry Turkey on Saturday, the 29th) and you will be eligible to receive a special connector medal that unites the medals from both races to create a mega medal.

To be eligible, you have to participate in races on both days (in person or remotely). No special registration required.

Learn more about the challenge here.