BC Backyard Ultra

The BC Backyard Ultra 2026 is a sanctioned "Last Runner Standing" endurance event scheduled to begin on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Hosted at the Sicamous Public Beach Park in British Columbia, the race is an approved Silver Ticket event, meaning the winner earns a silver coin and an invitation to the 2026 Canadian Championship. This competition serves as a critical pathway for elite endurance athletes aiming for the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship in Tennessee. The event is inspired by the original Backyard format created by Lazarus Lake and emphasizes community spirit and personal mental limits.

Sicamous is a district municipality in the Southern Interior of British Columbia with a population of approximately 2,429 residents. Known as the "Houseboat Capital of Canada," the town is situated at the junction of Shuswap Lake and Mara Lake. The demographic profile of Sicamous is approximately 93.2% White, 3.9% Indigenous (First Nations and Métis), and 2.9% other visible minorities (including Filipino and South Asian groups). The median annual household income for the municipality is roughly $64,000. The race route is located within the Traditional Territory of the Southern Secwepemc First Nation. Geographically, the terrain is relatively flat, and the late-April climate in the Shuswap region typically sees average lows of 3°C (37°F) and highs of 16°C (61°F), though night laps can feel significantly colder due to lakeside dampness.

The rules of the BC Backyard Ultra follow strict international standards: runners must be in the starting chute when the bell rings or they are disqualified. Whistles are blown at three, two, and one-minute intervals to alert participants. The race concludes only when one runner remains to complete a single victory loop; all others are officially marked as DNF. Notably, the organizers, Lewiston Ultra Events, will also host the Canadian Nationals in Sicamous in October 2026. Top historical performances include Ryan Shephard's 2023 record of 183.48 km. While registration for the April 2026 event is currently closed, spectators are encouraged to visit the Sicamous Public Beach Park to support the runners as they progress into the second and third days of competition.