Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra

Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra

Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra is a Backyard Ultra event held at Willenborg Woods in Charleston, IL on May 30, 2026. The property comprises 149 acres of maintained trails and the event uses a repeat loop of 4.167 miles that participants complete each hour until only one runner remains. The last finisher receives a Bronze Ticket toward the Big Dog's Backyard Ultra World Championship.

The course includes single track and groomed grass trails with riverside sections and ridge top terrain. A separate night routing uses grass trails and country roads. A section called the Tunnel of Trees is noted for its enclosed canopy. The venue maintains its own trail network and describes an emphasis on an inclusive, community oriented atmosphere that includes spectators and family.

Basic event rules require runners to complete the loop each hour to continue. Each participant may have one support crew. Reflective gear is required for night running. Missing the hourly loop results in removal from the event.

The format combines repetitive hourly loops with trail features typical of Willenborg Woods. The event is categorized as a Bronze Ticket qualifier within the Backyard Ultra series. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.