Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Join us for a fun-filled day (and night) of running and camaraderie at the Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra! We can’t say enough that this race is for just about everybody. This isn’t your typical ultra-marathon. We emphasize doing your best, rather than strict competition. Runners will run one 4.167-mile loop every hour, on the hour, for up to 24 hours. As long as you can make it back to basecamp and the start corral before the next hour, you’ll get to do another loop. The goal is to have fun, enjoy the company of fellow runners, and push yourself as far as you’d like.

🎪 Basecamp Vibes

• Comfort: Come prepared to get comfy! Bring fun games, tasty food, and your favorite camping chair to hang out in between loops. We’ll provide good company and a supportive atmosphere.
• No Fires: No open fires are allowed at basecamp.
• Pets: If you bring pets, they must remain leashed per State of Michigan guidelines.

🌈 All Abilities Welcome

• Records: Don’t worry about setting records. Whether you are trying to complete one lap, or all 24, this event is for anyone who wants to challenge themselves.
• Adventure: Whether you’re a seasoned ultra-runner going for the whole 100 miles, a newbie hoping to complete their first lap (Just over 5k by the way), or anything in between, you’re invited to an adventure in the woods.

🌲 Share the Trail

• Respect: The trails that we are using will be open to other trail users during the event. Please treat everybody with respect.
• Friendly: If you catch up to a hiker: smile, wave, and wish them a great day!

⏰ Race Timings

• Start: 8:00 AM, Saturday October 11
• Finish: 8:00 AM, Sunday October 12
• Runner Cap: 60 Runners
• Early Packet Pickup: 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, October 10th at Forsyth Forward Building in Gwinn (Address: 186 W Flint St, Gwinn, MI)
• Race Day Packet Pickup: 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM, Saturday October 11 at basecamp/starting area.

📜 Rules

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS THIS IS NOT A 100% TRADITIONAL BACKYARD ULTRA. FAILURE TO FOLLOW RULES MAY RESULT IN A DNF OR DISQUALIFICATION.

• Event: The Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra is a 24-hour event, which means there will be 24 loops in total.
• Course: A marked loop of 4.167 miles (6.706 km).
• Start: Race begins at 8:00 AM. Each loop begins exactly one hour after the last.
• No Lateness: There are no late starts.
• Personal Aid: No personal aid during the loop (common aid stations are allowed).
• Winner: The race continues until only one runner remains.
• Lighting: A headlamp is required from the 7:00 PM lap onward.

📍 Where

• Location: Anderson Lake Campground and the Anderson Lake Pathway sits about 5 miles southwest of Gwinn.
• Directions: Follow these directions from Gwinn, MI: Take M-35 N to N Serenity Dr (1.5 mi), turn left onto N Serenity Dr (1.4 mi), turn left onto S Co Rd 557 (3.0 mi), continue on Anderson Lake Rd to your destination.
• Parking: There is a small parking lot at the trailhead and a gravel road leading to basecamp.

📏 Course Details

• Loop: This will be a 4.167 mile repeating loop starting at the Anderson Lake boat ramp.
• Route: The course includes a wide winter ski trail and a section of skinnier singletrack.

🏅 Awards

• Medals: All runners who complete at least one loop will receive a medal.
• Overall Winner: There will be one overall winner for all runners. Everybody else will be a DNF, even if you complete all 24 laps.

📦 Packet Pickup Details

• Friday: October 10th at Forsyth Forward Building in Gwinn, MI, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
• Saturday: October 11th from 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM at base camp at Anderson Lake Campground.

🛠️ Base Camp Setup

You will be given a 10’x10’ area to set up how you like at the Anderson Lake Campground boat ramp / access site. We recommend bringing a 10x10 canopy top, as there is no shelter at base camp. TENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED!

🚗 Parking

• Limited Parking: We have limited parking for this event, so please carpool if you can.
• Valid Pass: All vehicles entering the pathway parking area will be required to have a valid State of Michigan Recreation Passport.
• Overflow: We will have overflow parking at the Up North Lodge Event Center, about 2.6 miles from the campground.

🏕️ Campground Camping

There are 2 campground loops with 13 total spots at this campground. You are welcome to reserve and pay for them on your own. The state charges $20 per day. We highly recommend setting up at basecamp.

💧 Water, Food, and Self Support

There is one hand operated water pump at this campground. We will also be supplying water and snacks at basecamp and at aid stations. Plan to be self supported for nutrition and bring enough food for the duration of the event.

🌤️ Weather

Temperatures tend to average in the 40 to 50 degree range, but it can get quite hot during the day or close to freezing at night. We plan on moving forward with this event rain or shine.

💵 No Refunds Policy

All sales are final, even in the occurrence of event cancellation. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No refunds will be issued, even if you are unable to participate.