Soil Mates Backyard Ultra

Race Overview

Come run an ultra in our backyard in Thomaston, Georgia. Some will see if they can be the last one standing when there is no set finish line. Most will see how far they can push themselves to reach a new distance goal or just go out and have fun running for hours with friends until you decide your own stopping point.

Course Details

• Distance: Soil Mates Backyard Ultra covers a 4.167-mile loop (aka a Yard).
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 375 feet through pastures and woods.
• Time Limit: Each runner has one hour to complete each Yard and return to the starting corral.
• Important Rule: If you are not in the starting corral when we start the next Yard at the top of each hour, your race is over.

Race Format

• Ending Condition: The race is over when one runner finishes a lap solo.
• Indefinite Continuation: The race continues indefinitely if two or more runners are still reaching the cutoff time.
• Social Aspect: This can be a very social run since the cutoff time is easy enough for many runners to run, walk, and talk during their laps.
• Focus: The focus of the race is distance and fun more than speed, with the one-hour cutoff serving as the only timing element.

Logistics

• Start/Finish Point: The 4.167-mile Yard starts in a large open pasture with plenty of room for free parking and crew set-up near the starting corral.
• Facilities: Porta-potties will be near the starting corral.
• Course Layout: 60% of the course runs through pastures with a five-foot path cut through the grass.
• Forest Trails: 40% of the course covers four different segments on beautiful single track forest trails with plenty of twists, turns, roots, and rocks.

Additional Information

Once you drive into the starting pasture, you will not touch pavement again until you leave. Make sure to bring more race food and hydration than you think you’ll need as it’s hard to stop with all your new runner friends cheering “just one more lap.”

Registration

For more information and to register, please visit: Soil Mates Backyard Ultra Registration