If you've ever heard of the Backyard Ultra format sweeping the world in the last year, then this race is for you. Because some Backyard Ultra events can take over 24 hours in most instances and over 60 hours in the most recent virtual based event, we thought we'd give everyone a chance to test this out, but in a shortened type format.
The Baby Backyard Ultra is a way to get your feet wet and see how you stack up against the competition. Instead of the normal 1 hour to complete 4.167 miles, participants will have 30 minutes to finish 2.084 miles. There is a big twist with this event though in that every 2 laps/1 hour we will be reducing the amount of time by 1 minute that you have to complete the loop. This will almost certainly ensure that the event will be over in close to 18-20 hours at most, unless we have some runners who can run sub 5 minute miles after already doing 80+ miles. Now that would be impressive!
There will also be two different divisions: Outside and Indoor/Treadmill. This will give those of you that don't feel comfortable going outside at the current time because of COVID-19 or would rather run on the treadmill. There will also be some prize money to the winners of each division! (see details below)
In this type of race, there can only be ONE possible winner for each division. Everyone else is a DNF. In some cases, there might not be a winner if you are familiar with how the ending of these types of events go. Here are the awards that will be up for grabs:
1st place OVERALL winner in EACH division (Outside and Treadmill) for both male and female: 25% of the entry fees for that division as prize money plus a unique placque courtesy of Ragged Cuts.
2nd place OVERALL in EACH division (Outside and Treadmill) for both male and female: prizes from our sponsors TrailHeads, T8, or Athletic Brewing.
3rd place OVERALL in EACH division (Outside and Treadmill) for both male and female: prizes from our sponsors TrailHeads, T8, or Athletic Brewing.
BENEficiaRY
A portion of the proceeds will go to the First Responder's Children's Foundation
The First Responders Children’s Foundation provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardships due to tragic circumstances. First Responders Children’s Foundation also supports, promotes, and facilitates educational activities and programs created and operated by law enforcement and firefighting organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community at large.
First Responders Children’s Foundation has also announced recently that the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund would award grants to first responders experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation will also fund temporary housing and need-based grants to first responders and public safety agencies across the country. College scholarships for children of first responders who have passed away as a result of COVID-19 are also available. To read more about it: https://1strcf.org/frcf-news/
EVENT RULES
The Baby Backyard Ultra will start at 8:00 a.m. EST on Saturday June 13, 2020.
Before the start of each loop, the race director will go through the following protocol as such indicating time until the start.
--3 minutes before the start (whistle will be blown 3 times) --2 minutes before the start (whistle will be blown 2 times) --1 minute before the start (whistle will be blown 1 time) --30 seconds will be announced before start --10 seconds will be counted down before the start --START (Cowbell will be rung)
You have 30 minutes to finish your course once the clock has started. If you finish a loop within the 30 minutes, you have the opportunity to START the NEXT lap provided you are IN your start corral when the next lap starts. Every hour (2 laps), the time to finish the lap will decrease by 1 minute (i.e. At the start of lap 3/4 you will have 29 minutes to finish. At the start of lap 5/6 you will have 28 minutes to finish, etc. If you do not finish within the allotted time, you are OUT of the race and considered a DNF.
Your course should be designed by you and ideally right out your door where you live or have the start/finish close to your house. It can be an out and back or a loop/multiple loops. Try to make it as flat as possible to give yourself an advantage.
If you are running on the treadmill, set your grade to 0%, but you may set it higher too if you like, though that would be foolish.
Each runner will be required to have a video feed via Zoom going for the entirety of the event in your corral so that we can see when you leave and when you finish. Closer to race day you will be given a link to go to for the event.
You must upload where possible at the end of each lap to Strava.If you do not have Strava, it is recommended that you download the app or sign up for a free account before starting the race. This will allow for verification at the end of each loop in addition to using Zoom to verify your presence in your corral at the end/start of each lap.
For the treadmill, you must have the camera on your treadmill at all times during the event for verification.
No artificial aids (including trekking poles) are allowed
Once you are back to the start and assuming you've finished within the 30 minutes, you may use the bathroom, eat, drink, sleep, ponder the next lap, etc., but you MUST be back in the start corral or you will be considered a DNF (NO EXCEPTIONS). This means you MAY NOT start late (even if you are in bathroom). You may also choose not to continue though you will be considered a DNF.
If you are one that needs more time in between loops, then run faster so you have more time, but you might burn more energy. You may also choose to run slower which will give you less time back at the start/finish area, but you will burn less energy. You have to choose which strategy works best for YOU.
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). That runner will be considered the winner of the Baby Backyard Ultra!
We will have a special Strava club for participants of the event at this link. You will receive that link when you sign up for the event.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We want to hear about your run when you do it! Share your Baby Backyard Ultra experience with us by tagging @steependurance, or use the hashtags #babybackyardultra and #steependurance on Facebook/Instagram. We will highlight your experience and re-post for others to see too!