Furbutt’s Backyard 24 Hour

Furbutt’s Backyard 24 Hour is modeled off of the Capital Backyard Ultra. The backyard format originated with Lazarus Lake’s Backyard runs. The concept is simple: Runners have one hour to complete the 4.167-mile course. Runners must be in the corral at the top of the next hour ready to start the next “yard’ (or loop), or they’re out.

In addition to being a challenging run, Furbutt’s Backyard 24 Hour is also a great way to experience the backyard format. This is an excellent opportunity to run your first marathon, 50K, 50-mile, or 100-mile run because the backyard format forces you to rest early and often, which can help you run a longer distance than you thought possible. It is also a great way to meet other runners and build community, since you’ll be starting as a group every hour, sharing the same “yard,” and in close proximity at the one and only aid station.

Whether you are a seasoned ultrarunner or a beginner, Furbutt’s Backyard 24 Hour is a great way to test your limits and see how far you can push yourself.

The Course

The course starts on a flat, open grassy field for 0.7 miles and then the terrain transitions to a mix of dirt and crushed gravel bridle trails that are mostly flat, with some gentle ups and downs on the remainder of the course. The total elevation gain per loop is 300-350 feet.

A 2 minute Furbutt Backyard Tour, courtesy of Tudor Novac (2024 event).

Videos of runners during the first yard during the 2024 race at the turn off the Thompson Creek Loop trail on to the Wood Thrush Loop trail and making their way back to the finish on the Mustang Trail. Videos courtesy of Ryan Jackson.

Furbutt After Dark

For those who would like to utilize the Furbutt Backyard event to focus on extensive nighttime training miles, an 8 pm start to a 12 Hour race option is available. Maybe you are working that day, but still want to get in on the fun. Or perhaps you have a big race coming up that will keep you up well past your bedtime and you want to practice running for hours at night in advance. Or you may wish to test lights, food, drinks and other options in nighttime conditions. Or maybe you just like running in the dark more than running in the daytime. If any or all of those options appeal to you, contact RD Tracy Cooley for more details on Furbutt After Dark.

Aid Station

Runners will be responsible for bringing their own food and aid, but we will provide water (plus, ice!), Gatorade and snacks. With a very large horse trailer pavilion covering the start/finish area, runners will have an ideal location to store whatever they will need for their backyard adventure, and no runner will be more than a 5-10 second walk from the starting line.

Crew Access

Crews will be allowed at the one and only aid station for the duration of the event. Crew access is strictly forbidden anywhere else on the course.

Parking is in the grass field behind the horse pavilion, so your vehicle will be in very close proximity to the starting corral.