2026 Backyard Ultra

Day of the Dead, Land Of Enchantment, Backyard Ultra 2026 Presented by Visit Las Cruces

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument

Join us for the second running of the Day of the Dead edition of the Land of Enchantment Back Yard Ultra, beginning on October 30th, 2026.

We are incredibly excited and honored to welcome you to our signature event of the year, with a new host venue rarely used for events. The Prehistoric Trackways National Monument features a network of well-maintained trails, primarily composed of crushed gravel, with some elevation changes. This YARD will offer scenic views of the Organ Mountain range and will "simply" test a runner's limits.

Do you have enough persistence to push yourself further than you think is possible? Do you have enough persistence to be the Last One Standing? Find out on October 30th, 2026.

Backyard Format Rules

• Each lap will be completed on a 4.167-mile lollipop-style loop within the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument. You can view the course here (please note, this is an approximation of the course, and there may be slight variation for start/finish location Trackways Trail Run 4.2 Miles · Ride with GPS.
• Exactly one hour after a backyard ultra's first starting time, the competitors run 4.167 miles (6.706 km) with a one-hour window ( minimum 14:23 minutes per mile) to finish. These laps are repeated hourly. The race is won when a single runner successfully completes a yard alone within the one-hour time limit.
• In order to remain in the competition, the runners must be in the starting box when the hourly bell sounds. The starting box will be very well marked and flagged off.
• There will be a warning sound 3, 2, and 1 minutes before the bell.
• All runners will need to be inside the starting box before the top of each hour.
• Except for relieving themselves, the runners are not allowed to leave the course. Personal assistance is forbidden on the course, but allowed between laps. Aids like trekking poles are forbidden. Non-competitors may not be on the course, except to help escort an eliminated runner to safety.
• There will be an aid station at the start/finish to assist all competitors.
• Slower runners must allow faster runners to overtake them.
• You must check out with the Race Director once you can not complete a yard or decide not to begin the next yard.
• Finish TBD! At the completion of your run, you can pick up your finishers' hoodie and DNF Medal.

Please note that we will not be maintaining a waitlist. The race is capped at 54 participants. If you see the participant number is less than 50, there is a spot for you; grab it before it's gone.

*Note: Refunds are not allowed for this race.

We will be hosting packet pickup at Bluebird Running of Las Cruces on Thursday, October 29th, from 3 pm to 6 pm

136 S Water St, Las Cruces, NM 88001

For Friday morning, we will have packet pickup starting at 6 am near the start/finish area within the Pehistoric Trackways.

First Lap starts at 7 am Sharp!

https://www.google.com/maps/ place/Prehistoric+Trackways+ National+Monument/@32.3745028, -106.8637411,17z/data=!3m1! 4b1!4m6!3m5! 1s0x86de3f4ce025a115: 0xa3d9ce1bae3b942b!8m2!3d32. 3745028!4d-106.8637411!16s% 2Fm%2F05q586t?entry=ttu&g_ep= EgoyMDI1MTAyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw %3D%3D

When pulling into the park, you will stay to the left and follow the road up maybe a quarter of a mile to the camping area on your left.

The camping area provides plenty of room for camping, parking, and pop-ups for you to set up for your crew or personal assistance.

A portion of each registration will be donated to the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance.

The Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance was formed by hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers who are enthusiastic about trails and the lands where they exist. This group realized we must maintain and protect what we love, hence, SNMTA was formed in 2014. SNMTA recognizes that our vision and mission cannot be accomplished by one person or one organization, but by an alliance of different users, organizations, and land managers working together to improve and protect trails and lands. Together, we can connect people to the trails and, in the process, maintain and build these same trails and bring our community a little closer together.