Mad Backyard Ultra
East Ridge, United States • 17 Jan 2026
Event details
MAD Backyard Ultra takes place on January 17, 2026, at Camp Jordan Park in East Ridge / Chattanooga, Tennessee. The event is organized by MAD Backyard Ultra and is a qualifying race for The Big Dog's Backyard Ultra. It is also listed as part of the Chattanooga Ultra Championship series for 2026.
Format, course and rules
The race uses a repeated loop format: runners complete a 4.167-mile loop each hour and must finish each loop within the one-hour limit to continue. The event continues until one runner completes a final lap and is declared the winner. Crew access is allowed at the start/finish area and tents and canopies are permitted near the start line. Once on the course, runners may not receive aid from crew or non-competitors and eliminated runners may not be on the course. No pacers and no artificial aids, including trekking poles, are allowed. Organizers provide a 3-minute, 2-minute, and 1-minute warning before each loop and offer aid at the start/finish line.
The loop follows trails through Camp Jordan Park and includes exterior track, gravel, and grass surfaces. The course is described as flat, runnable, and non-technical.
Awards and amenities
The last runner standing receives a unique award. All participants receive a coin, and runners who reach 100 miles receive a MAD Backyard Ultra belt buckle. Camping and RV parking are allowed with advance notice to organizers, and there are multiple hotels near the race site. Packet pickup is at 323 Camp Jordan Parkway. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.