Lion King Backyard Ultra

Lion King Backyard Ultra

The event is a backyard ultra held at Lions Club Park in Rolla, Missouri, on a 4.167 mile loop (6.7056 kilometers). Competitors run repeated loops; each loop must be completed within one hour and the next loop starts exactly one hour after the last. The race has no predetermined end; the winner is the last runner to complete one more loop than the second place runner.

The course uses a dirt trail during daytime laps and a paved out and back section at night. The first eleven laps are on the dirt trail. Daytime sections pass through mature maple, oak and cedar groves and finish with a short paved section around the lake. Night laps follow a flat paved route along a creek and rural countryside with local wildlife sightings.

Support and facilities are located at the pavilions beside the starting corral. Each runner is allocated a 10X10 space under the pavilions; water spigots, a charging station with 110 volt plugs and USB outlets, and porta potties are nearby. Aid is available at the starting corral and at the halfway point with water, salt tablets, restrooms and staff.

Awards include a custom belt buckle, a bronze coin, a swag bag, Hall of Fame induction for top finishers, and ribbons for all finishers. Fifty percent of profits are split between the 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention hotline and Lions Club Park. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.