Backyard Ultra - Las Cruces
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About the race
The Day of the Dead Land of Enchantment Backyard Ultra is a last-runner-standing event held at the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in Las Cruces, New Mexico on October 30, 2026. The course is a lollipop-style loop primarily of crushed gravel with some elevation change and offers views of the Organ Mountain range.
The race uses the standard backyard format: competitors run repeated laps of 4.167 miles (6.706 km) each hour until only one runner completes a lap alone. Runners must be in the marked starting box before the hourly bell, and there are warning sounds shortly before each bell. Personal assistance is allowed only between laps; aid on course and aids such as trekking poles are not permitted. Slower runners must allow faster runners to pass. The event is cupless.
On-site support includes a start/finish aid area with porta-potties, hydration (water and Gatorade), salty-sweet trail snacks, pickles, wraps, and coffee during late-night and morning hours. The venue provides a large camping area with space for personal crew setups, parking, and pop-ups. Packet pickup takes place the day before at Bluebird Running Company and again on the race morning at the monument.
All participants receive a Land of Enchantment hoodie and a Day of the Dead DNF medal; runners who complete 24 yards earn a 100-mile buckle. The race is capped at 54 participants, there is no waitlist, and refunds are not permitted. A portion of each registration is donated to the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
