Andy's Backyard Ultra

Event Format

Andy's Backyard Ultra is a "last person standing" ultramarathon. Runners must complete a lap of 4.17 miles every hour to remain in the race. The event continues until only one runner remains; that runner must then complete one more solo lap to win. All other participants receive a DNF.

Course

The loop course is located at Teventrails in Earlysville, Virginia, 14 miles northwest of Charlottesville in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The terrain is a mixture of wooded single track, grassy fields, and farm roads. Each lap has a total elevation gain and loss of approximately 358 feet. The course is unchanged from previous years.

Schedule and Logistics

Packet pickup begins the Friday before race day. A pre-race briefing is held that Friday evening. Camping for runners and crew is available from Friday afternoon through the end of the event. The race provides one central aid station with water, but runners must supply all other food, drinks, and gear. Each runner is allocated a space for a chair, cooler, and a 10' x 10' tent. Porta-potties are provided on-site. A free course preview run is typically held on a Saturday in August.

Additional Details

There is a team award for groups of 2-4 runners, where the team score is the sum of laps completed by all members. All entrants receive a race T-shirt showing the number of yards (hours) completed. Special awards include buffs for completing 12 laps (50 miles) and 36 laps (150 miles), and belt buckles for completing 24 laps (100 miles) and 48 laps (200 miles). The sole winner receives a Sole Survivor trophy. Any race profit is donated to the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company. Dogs are allowed only in the parking/start area, not on the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.