Get ready to push your limits at the NorCal Backyard Ultra, a trail race that’ll make you question your life choices – in the best way possible. Set in the beautiful Granite Bay area, just a stone’s throw from Folsom, California, this event is not for the faint of heart or weak of knees.

What’s the Big Deal?

Picture this: you’re running a 4.2-mile loop. Sounds easy, right? Well, here’s the kicker – you have to do it every hour, on the hour, until you can’t anymore. It’s like Groundhog Day but with more sweat and probably a few tears.

The race takes place at Beals Point, offering stunning views of Folsom Lake. But let’s be honest, after a few hours, you’ll be too busy counting your blisters to notice the scenery.

Two Flavors of Pain

The NorCal Backyard Ultra comes in two delicious varieties:

1. The “Last Person Standing”: This bad boy starts on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM. It goes on and on and on… until there’s only one runner left. It’s like musical chairs, but instead of sitting down, you keep running until everyone else drops.
2. The “Mini” Last Person Standing: For those who value sleep (or sanity), this version starts at 8:00 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2024, and lasts for 24 hours. It’s perfect for runners who want to taste the madness without fully committing to it.

The Rules are Simple (The Race, Not So Much)

Here’s the deal: you must begin a new 4.2-mile lap at the start of each hour. Finish it in less than an hour? Great! You get to rest until the next hour starts. Take longer than an hour? Sorry, you’re out. It’s like a twisted game of “Red Light, Green Light.”

What’s in it for You?

Besides the joy of questioning your life choices every hour, you’ll get:

• A NorCal Backyard Ultra hoodie (perfect for hiding your shame or pride, depending on how you do)
• Free non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing (because nothing says “I’ve run for 24 hours straight” like a non-alcoholic brew)
• A wood-carved finisher’s award (for distances of 13 miles, 50K, 50 miles, 100K, or 100 miles)

And if you’re one of those overachievers who manages to run 100 miles, you might even get the chance to buy a belt buckle. Because after running 100 miles, you need something to hold up your pants.

Bring Your Own Everything

There’s one aid station at the start/finish line, but it’s mostly BYOASS (Bring Your Own Aid Station Stuff). You get a parking spot near the start/finish line where you can set up your personal aid station. It’s like tailgating but with more Vaseline and less barbecue.

The Course

The 4.2-mile loop winds along Beals Point and Folsom Lake, with about 230 feet of elevation gain per lap. It’s not exactly flat, but it’s not Mount Everest either. Just remember, what goes down must come up… or something like that.

Who’s Behind This Madness?

The NorCal Backyard Ultra is the brainchild of SingleTrack Running and Bad Luck Run Club. With a name like “Bad Luck,” you know you’re in for a good time. Or at least an interesting one.

Why Should You Do This?

Good question. Maybe you’re looking to set a new distance PR. Maybe you enjoy the feeling of your legs turning to jelly. Or maybe you just want to see how many times you can run the same loop before you start hallucinating.

Whatever your reason, the NorCal Backyard Ultra promises an experience you won’t forget – no matter how hard you might try.

Location, Location, Location

Beals Point in Granite Bay, California, is the stage for this running circus. It’s about 25 miles northeast of Sacramento and just a hop, skip, and a painful jump from Folsom. The area is known for its beautiful trails and lake views. But after a few hours of running, you might think you’re on a hamster wheel in hell.

The Bottom Line

The NorCal Backyard Ultra is not your average race. It’s a test of physical endurance, mental toughness, and your ability to ignore that little voice screaming, “What were you thinking?!”

But here’s the thing: whether you make it through 1 lap or 100, you’ll come out of this experience with a story. And isn’t that what life’s all about? (Well, that and the free non-alcoholic beer at the finish line.)

So, are you ready to join the madness? The clock is ticking, the trail is waiting, and somewhere out there, a wooden finisher’s award has your name on it. See you at Beals Point – and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Sources: ultrasignup.com, badluckrunclub.com, ultrarunning.com
Header Image Source: Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash