It's not just for ultra runners! It's for everyone to find their own limits

2024 RESULTS

RESULTS - UltraSignup

RESULTS - Webscorer

EVENT DESCRIPTION

WINONA'S BACKYARD provides a great opportunity to challenge yourself in a unique event unlike others you may have participated in before.  The event appeals to all types of runners, perfect for reaching a new milestone. It's  a great opportunity to get in a long training run with support, cover a marathon or 50 mile or even, if you have what it takes.....be the LAST RUNNER STANDING.

WINONA's BACKYARD ULTRA is a unique event for runners of all abilities, but only the strongest among them will be the LAST RUNNER STANDING.  The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. and each runner will have exactly one hour to complete the 4.167 mile loop course.  If a runner fails to return within the hour, they are eliminated from the race.  Runners can complete the course at whatever pace they choose, but they MUST finish the loop and be at the starting line to start the next race within 60 minutes.  A new 4.167 mile race will begin every hour on the hour (8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and so on…) until only one runner is left standing.  If a runner fails to make it to the start line at the top of the hour before the gate is closed, that runner is eliminated.  What will your strategy be?  Will you run the loop hard and reserve time for rest, or take your time, conserve your energy on the trail and only take a few minutes to rest before the next loop begins?  This event may not favor the speedster, but the runner who is slow and steady. 

Race HQ is at the CCC Camp at the Winona State Forest near Mannsville, NY. The start/finish area, aid station, portajohns and parking lot are all located here. There will be multiple pop up tents, picnic tables and space to have your own individual setup. Runners are allowed a crew but pacers are a major no-no. You are welcome to bring a tent and individual setup but we encourage you to keep it reasonable (don't bring the kitchen sink!). Power outlets are not available, so please plan on bringing your own power source, if needed. We will have a full aid station at the start/finish area.

BYU DAY COURSE

Both the Day Course and Night Course begin at the CCC buildings. During the day hours, we will be crossing RT 90 onto Bargy Rd, a dirt road, for about 0.2 miles, before turning right into a comfortable newly rehabbed trail called Franks Fancy. Turning into a short unnamed trail to Stone Wall, and heading back via Streamside. This loop is about 1.5 miles. Back across the street and passing by the Start/Finish gate, and into the Norway loop for another 2.7 miles. 

BYU NIGHT COURSE

Beginning behind the CCC building, we will run through a lane at the edge of the parking area, and head across paved Rt 90/Mannsville Rd and onto Bargy Rd. Runners will veer left onto Wag trail, and connect to "Old Wag" which leads to Tail Trail, bringing us back to Bargy Rd. Use Bargy back to and through the Start/Finish chute. Connecting back to the Day Course heading out Pussycat trail, left onto Bronze for a couple tenths of a mile, and then heading right onto Silver Run trail, to a lighted turn around. 

Camping

Participant “Base camp” may be set up beginning Friday at 5PM. Start/Finish staging area will not be set up until that time.  If you want to set up an additional tent site outside the start/finish gate, camping will be permitted around the CCC Camp area during the event.  Space is limited, however. Tents may be set up in grassy areas beginning Friday August 22. Personal camp fires are not allowed. Campers are not permitted, as there just is not enough space. However, campervans and reasonably sized RV's may be parked in the parking areas. There are no facilities at CCC camp, porta-potties will be in place beginning Friday. Per our temporary permit, camping will no longer be permitted 24 hours after the event ends. 

Participant Milestones

We want the WINONA BYU to motivate participants to challenge themselves to reach a new personal milestone. When you earn a milestone it will be listed in the race results posted on the website. You will also receive a milestone sticker that can be placed on your Backyard Ultra souvenir magnet at the conclusion of your race. Since there is only one Last One Standing, we are all DNF's. Badge of honor!

The Lapper - 1 lap. We all have to start somewhere. 

Beyond a Half Marathon - Completing 4 laps.
Beyond a Marathon - Completing 7 laps.
Beyond the 50K - Completing 8 laps. (This is my personal goal)  

12 hours - 12 laps, 50 Mile milestone
24 Hours - Complete 24 laps, 100 miles

BACKYARD FORMAT RULES

The Backyard format is simple: 100 miles divided into 24 hours give you 4.167 miles for a "yard" (lap). Every hour, on the hour, a new yard will start and you must finish within the hour and be back in the starting corral for the next one to stay in the run. Complete as many as you can, last runner standing wins.

Runners and crew will be able to set up a personal area with chairs, tents, etc. around the start/finish course-line area for personal aid, gear, and rest between yards (not during). Personal tent location on a first come-first served format. 

We will give a 3-minute, 2-minute, and 1-minute warning to be inside the starting corral for the next yard.

​

All runners are required to be in the starting corral before the top of the hour.

Failure to line up in the starting corral will result in the disqualification of the runner. Participants must start a new yard at the sound, and continue out on the course (not back to their tent, etc.).

Once you are on the course, you are not allowed any aid from your crew or any other individual. No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners). Except for restrooms, competitors may not leave the course until each loop is completed. Runners are responsible for their own aid on the course (carried with them). You must be on and stay on the course unless you need to use the bathroom.

There will be one common aid station that you will pass by, located near the staging area. 

No artificial aids (including trekking poles) are allowed.

Once you complete the yard, and assuming you have finished within the hour, you may use the bathroom, eat, drink, sleep, ponder the next yard, etc., but you MUST be back in the start corral at the beginning of the hour to continue into the next hour’s yard.

Runners will continue until ONE runner completes a FINAL lap. (i.e. If there are two runners left and one does not complete the loop, then the one that completed the loop will be declared the winner).

No pacers whatsoever.

​

You must checkout with the race director once you can not complete a yard or decide not to begin the next yard.

​

WINONA volunteers and crew will provide aid at the start/finish line. 

​

Only active runners and crew may leave personal gear set up in the grass area at the start/finish, there is no camping or camp fires allowed in this area.

​

2025 SCHEDULE

Friday August 22, 2025

5 PM - 7PM Personal Aid/Tent set-up at race venue (NYSDEC CCC Camp)

(Arriving late? No problem, but you may want to email me for some guidance)

Saturday August 23, 2025

6AM Personal Aid/Tent Set-up

7AM Check IN, bib pick-up

7:45AM Race Course Briefing

8AM Official START. 

AID STATION/SUPPORT

We will have one fully stocked aid station at the Start/Finish line.

​

There will be a timing tent, and aid station tent, and a medical treatment area.

​

Runners should set up their own support area around the start/finish for extended rest periods, personal gear, and preferences for food and hydration.

​

Aid Station Items for runners (subject to change/while quantities last):

​

• Fluids: Water, Tailwind Endurance Fuel - Watermelon Flavor

• Soda: Coke, Ginger Ale, Orange.

• Sweets: Cookies, Fig Newtons

• Salty: Pringles, Trail Mix, Chips 

• Food: Sandwiches (PB&J, Nutella, PB, etc), fruit (bananas and oranges), broth, soup

• Medical: Ice, Bandages, Vasoline, Band Aids (limited), etc. ( NO NSAIDS e.g. ibuprofen) 

For CREW MEMBERS (and runners if they wish)

• Lunch and dinner Saturday- a variety of grilled foods such as burgers, hot dogs, ziti. Breakfast Sunday - Pancakes

Aid stations are for registered runners only, during the event (not before). Crew members are welcome to the evening cooking foods, but please - runners only for aid station items. Runners and crew are encouraged to have their own supply, especially for particular items or certain diet requirements.

Need some inspiration! Great Videos below. 

FAQ's

Q: The personal aid rule is confusing. Can I put on a fuel belt, or carry a water bottle, or not?

A: I agree. It is confusing. In the BYU documentary video posted, and hosted by Lazarus Lake himself, participants are carrying their own personal aid. Yes, you can have  water bottles, etc. The rule actually applies to potentially crews meeting them or setting out aid stations on the loop. Participants can carry whatever they like (assuming they are not blocking other athletes). 

Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Sorry, no dogs allowed for the BYU.

Q: Can I sign my kids up for the race?
A: Yes! We want the WHOLE family to come out to our events! Just understand that kids have the same rules as the adults, they have to finish each lap in an hour or less. We have a special discount code for families registering 3 or more in the same household. Please email me (snowshoerace@gmail.com) before you register so I can give you the code! Once you have the code, be sure to register your child separately and agree to the waiver for minors. And make sure to keep track of your child before during and after the race.

Q: What's the weather like in upstate NY in mid August?
A: Varies.  Typically the day starts a coolish 50-60 degrees, then reaches mid to upper 70's.

Q: What food will you have at the aid station?
A: Typical Ultra sustenance. Food for the crew each evening. 

Q: I could get lost in a brown paper bag. Will the course be marked?
A: We will have bright colored ribbons along the course and plenty at all of the turns. We will also have large directional arrows at each turn.

Q: Will I encounter any wildlife on the course?
A: Squirrels. Maybe a deer.  Nothing that will eat you.

Q: I don't want to run, are there any volunteer opportunities?
A: Of course! We always need Volunteers! Email me if you would like to volunteer: snowshoerace@gmail.com

Q: I can’t make it to the race anymore, can I get a refund?
A: Unfortunately we do not offer refunds for our non-refundable registration fee. Thank you for understanding!.

Q: Me and my friend aren't registered for the race, but we're still planning on coming to run. We won't eat from the aid station or take a medal or swag. This is okay, right?
A: NO THIS IS NOT OKAY. This is called being a "race bandit" and it is stealing. Not paying for a race and running the race is stealing from the race organization (even if you're not taking food or swag). Do not do this please. It's not okay. And if you hear about someone else doing this, call them out. We work (volunteer) tirelessly.....for you.....to bring you incredible outdoor recreation opportunities....to make your life better! This is a fundraiser, to enable us to continue doing that. 

Organized at the highest level by the Winona Forest Recreation Association