Elm Creek Backyard Ultra

Elm Creek Backyard Ultra

Elm Creek Backyard Ultra is a Backyard-format endurance race held at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, MN. The course starts and finishes at the Bluebird Picnic area and follows trails along the lake and around Mud Lake. The event is presented as a local edition of the Backyard Ultra format and serves as a Bronze Ticket qualifier for Big's Backyard Team Championships in Fall 2028.

The race format requires runners to complete a 4.167 mile loop every hour for as long as they can. Each loop must be started at the top of the hour and the last runner to complete a loop on their own is declared the winner. No aid or pacing is allowed while runners are on course; crews may provide support between loops. Whistle signals and a bell mark the approach and start of each loop. Runners must be in the starting corral when the bell rings to continue.

The course contains about 296 feet of elevation gain and loss and will rotate between clockwise and counterclockwise directions every few hours. There is space next to the start/finish for a chair, cooler and small items, and a designated picnic area roughly 50 to 100 yards away for tents. Overnight, park gates may be locked so crews can leave but might not be able to return until gates reopen. The event anticipates a capacity of about 190 runners and will maintain a waitlist if entry fills. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.