The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra

The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra

The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra is held at the Wade Mountain Preserve, on the Land Trust of North Alabama property near Huntsville, AL, with the Spragins Hollow Trailhead as the event location.

The event uses the backyard ultra format. Each loop is exactly 4.167 miles (4 miles 880 feet) and must be completed within an hour to count. The course begins with a short road out-and-back to spread the field, then follows single-track trail that includes the Devils Race Track loop and runnable trails of the preserve. During darkness the race moves to an out-and-back on the paved surface of Spragins Hollow Road.

Race operation and participation follow specific rules. Each loop starts precisely one hour after the previous loop; a warning whistle precedes each start. The starting corral is sized for the full field and runners must be inside it at the horn to begin a loop. Competitors may not leave the course during a loop except to use restrooms, and no personal aid is allowed while on course. Artificial aids such as trekking poles are prohibited and slower runners must allow passes. The official winner is the last individual to complete a loop; if no runner completes one more loop than any other, there is no winner. Distances covered by all participants are recorded.

Finishers receive a shirt and a finisher cap. Any runner reaching 24 hours or 100 miles receives a buckle. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.