Back Cove Backyard Ultra

Back Cove Backyard Ultra

Back Cove Backyard Ultra is a backyard ultra held at Back Cove Park in Portland, ME. Runners complete a loop of roughly 4.167 miles each hour and continue repeating the loop until only one runner remains.

The primary loop uses the Back Cove Trail, a 3.5 mile non-technical, mostly flat gravel route with a short paved bridge crossing and continuous views along a tidal estuary. Each circuit includes a 0.60 mile add on on the Bayside Trail at the start/finish area to reach the standard backyard ultra distance. Parking is free in the public lot adjacent to the start/finish on a first come first served basis.

There are two aid stations. An unstaffed station in Payson Park provides water, basic first aid supplies, and packaged snacks. A staffed station at the start/finish provides water, electrolytes, packaged and prepared snacks, and basic first aid supplies. Event personnel remain at the start/finish for the duration of the event. Participants may leave drop bags or supplies at that location and there is space for a small tent or canopy adjacent to the start/finish. Porta potties are available in Payson Park and at the start/finish area.

The event is organized with local pricing, volunteer support, and minimal participant items. Refunds are not issued except for extraordinary circumstances at the organizers discretion. Organizers offer a pregnancy deferral to be used in a subsequent year. Volunteers support event operations and runner services. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.