Sparks Backyard Ultra

Sparks Backyard Ultra

The Sparks Backyard Ultra takes place June 20, 2026, at Sparks Marina, 300 Howard Drive, Sparks, Nevada 89434. The event follows the Backyard Ultra format: participants run a fixed 4.167 mile segment, called a yard, each hour and may start the next yard only if they complete the previous one. The marina course is a little over two laps of the 1.95 mile lake loop and includes a short spur around the peninsula at the start of each yard to reach the exact 4.167 mile distance.

Mini-Backyard races of 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours follow the same rules but end at the chosen time; these mini events have no single winner but do award finishers. The Sparks Backyard Ultra is an official Backyard Ultra Association qualifier; entrants are eligible for national team consideration and the World Individual Championships, and runners who reach 100 miles are placed on the At Large list for possible selection.

Key rules state that competitors may not leave the course during a yard except for bathroom breaks, no personal aid is allowed while a yard is in progress, each yard must be completed in less than one hour, and artificial aids are not permitted. The overall winner is the last person to complete a yard; if no participant completes an additional yard over others, no winner is declared.

On-site support will include water, ice, Heed, standard aid station fare, tents, chairs, and cots. Runners may bring a personal aid station but should secure it against strong wind gusts. Food trucks will be available during normal meal times. Awards include a belt buckle and 100-mile finisher flannel shirt for those who reach 100 miles, a Last Person Standing award for the overall winner, an Assist Award for second place, top-three male and female awards, and finisher awards for completing at least five yards. Two donated Monster Duffle Bags will be awarded at race conclusion. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.