BALS Backyard

New for 2026

There are several new things happening with BALS Racing in 2026, and we are stoked. 1) We are proud of our military and what they do to give us all the freedoms we have. Starting in 2026 and into the future all current/veterans of the military will receive 15% off with code: Military15 2) We are starting the BALS Foundation for 2026 and beyond. The BALS Foundation will provide healthy organic food to children and their families in need. 10% of the profits for each race will go towards the foundation. 3) The BALS (Be Active. Live Spontaneous.) Athletic Wear will be launching a rebrand with new designs throughout the year!

BALS Backyard

Welcome to the inaugural BALS - Be Active. Live Spontaneous. Backyard at Westminster Park. Put on by BALS (Be Active. Live Spontaneous.) Racing, we will be utilizing part of the Westminster Park Trail system, 4000 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC. The event will begin at 8:00AM on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and proceed until only one runner is remaining. There is a beautiful 4.167 mile loop (day time and night time loops are the same) with approximately 400ft of elevation gain/loss per loop that we will traverse throughout the park. Bring a friend or two and enjoy the beautiful fall weather on your journey. The fall foliage will be a vibrant set of colors throughout the park. This new venue allows us to have a huge playground for children to play, acres of open fields to run around in, an 18 hole frisbee disc golf course which is holding the National Collegiate Championships, restroom facilities, fishing along the river with a license, and a huge pavilion that would keep at least a hundred runners from any crazy elements. We will be streaming BIG’S Backyard throughout most of the race in the pavilion.

Crew Life

There is amble space near the start/finish corral (huge open field) for participants to set up their crewing areas for the race. Your 12’x12’ crew/camp spot is determined by when you register. First participant to register gets Spot #1 closest to start/finish corral. Second participant to register gets Spot #2 and the second closest to the start/finish corral. Gist of the story, sign up early!! You will be able to set up your crew area from 5:00-8:00PM on Friday evening, October 16, 2026. You will also be able to start setting up your crew area at 5:00AM race morning, Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Race Rules

The format is a 4.167 mile loop that you will traverse on the hour, every hour. Three minutes before the start of each loop (3 minutes before the top of the hour) three whistles will be blown. Two minutes before the top of the hour, two whistles will be blown. One minute before the top of the hour, one whistle will be blown. A bell will ring signifying the start of the loop. All runners must be present in the corral when the final bell rings, or they will not be allowed to continue. Runners are not allowed to exit the course until they complete the loop. It’s that ‘simple’ or is it… When the bell rings for the start of the loop..you can not receive any aid from your crew. Whatever you take out of the corral must come back with you to the corral.. ie: no discarding anything (wrappers, bottles, clothing, etc.). There is no aid from your crew until you get back in the corral from your loop. If any of these three are not followed you will be a DNF on the spot, and not allowed to continue. The last runner must complete one additional loop to be named the winner. All runners that are unable to complete the loop in 60 minutes or feel as though they can’t get themselves into the corral for the start of the next loop, will be a DNF. However, they will know that the limits have been pushed and they now created new limits of endurance. Time to BALS!!

Aid Station

BALS Racing is a huge advocate for healthy food...remember "Food is Fuel". There will be one aid station set up at the pavilion near the start/finish corral with water and Just Ingredients Electrolytes. There will be minimal organic snacks to choose from (candy, apple sauce pouches, etc) along with some homemade organic goodies. You, as the participant, are responsible for your fueling strategy. I hope you are running for several days!

Swag Bag and Awards

The Swag Bag will consist of: - Unique BALS logo merchandise - BALS Sticker - A few other goodies All finishers will receive: - Something Small that means Something Big - custom handmade award from Brie Los and www.wickedskinsawards.com to take home. - BALS Backyard Sticker Those participants who hit the 50K life (8 loops) will get pinned. The last participant standing will receive a custom handmade painting from Steven Lutjens... Follow Along as the painting progresses! ** Yes, we are known for our riddles. There will be two riddles somewhere on the course and the first participant to answer correctly will win a gift certificate from ???????

Packet Pick Up

Packet pick up will take place Friday, October 16, 2026 from 5:00 - 8:00PM. Location: Westminster Park, BALS Backyard start/finish line, 4000India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 And also Saturday, October 17, 2026 Westminster Park, BALS Backyard start/finish line from 6:00 - 7:00AM.

Lodging

Option 1: BALS Racing supports local businesses. Please look into a local AirBNB or a similar search for your lodging. Option 2: Reserve a primitive camping site at Westminster Park.

Refund Policy

This event will happen rain or shine...except for earthquakes, wildfires, snow storms, tropical storms, and lions taking over the course causing the race to be shut down or postponed...No refunds will be issued. In the event something from another galaxy far, far away does happen you will be able to transfer your registration to the following year or to another runner if the new date does not work for you. Pregnancy Deferral: BALS Racing loves mother runners and family comes first. If you find out you’re pregnant and don't feel comfortable running the race anymore we offer a 1 year deferral so you can come back and rock & roll your journey when you are ready! You also have the option of transferring your bib to another runner. If you need to transfer your bib to another runner, you can do so up to 5 days out from the race on ultrasignup.

Spirit Animal

Each race will have a 'spirit animal' that my daughters choose. For this race it is a: Lion... Why: Lions are the loudest of the big cats with their roars hitting 114 decibels and heard 8km away.. Yes, my girls enjoy being loud! The lion is a huge eater…eating up to a 25% of their body weight in a single meal…you will need to eat BIG to fuel your body! The lion is the only big cat to roar together. And that is exactly what BALS Racing is going to do on your journey here in the backyard! We are stoked at BALS Racing to see you push your limits to find new limits! You will see a lion theme with your swag and awards.