Perfect PR Backyard

Perfect PR Backyard by the Ode : Clarkston, MI

Perfect PR Backyard by the Ode is a Last Runner Standing backyard ultra scheduled for May 22, 2027 at Independence Oaks Park in Clarkston, Michigan, organized by The Ode Races. The event uses a closed park loop that circles Crooked Lake and combines a roomy cinder path, a paved River loop through shaded woods, and a 1000-plus foot boardwalk through a waterfowl preserve. The course is described as flat and free of rocks and roots.

Facilities at the park include permanent bathrooms at the start/finish, expanded bathroom access, close-in parking at the start/finish for one car per active racer, and additional parking within about 500 yards. Onsite family-friendly tent camping is available at the Wilderness Campground section that borders the course; camping is offered Friday through Tuesday, with a $6 per person per night fee for access to the camper shower facility. Swimming, boat rentals, hiking, and an interactive nature center are also noted as nearby amenities.

Race rules state contestants must provide their own aid and pacers are not permitted; crew is allowed. Each racer is allotted a chair/cooler space within 40 yards of the start/finish and may bring one sided canopy up to 10' x 10'. Water and Tailwind are provided; racing parties must bring their own food starting in 2025. Additional rules include no hiking poles and no headphones on trails. Prizes include a beanie or tech hat for each racer and guaranteed entries for top finishers into subsequent Ode to Laz events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.