Butterfield Backyard

The Butterfield Blitz Backyard is a unique endurance event held at the Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park in Herriman, Utah. Scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, the race takes place in the shadow of the Oquirrh Mountains and the Kennecott Mine. This event utilizes a modified "Backyard Ultra" format called the Blitz, which combines traditional loop completion with cumulative timing for a more strategic and competitive experience.

The course consists of a 4.167-mile loop that is 99% smooth trail and 1% fire road. Runners must complete one loop every hour to remain in the race. The "Blitz" variation means that while distance is the primary ranking factor, overall cumulative time acts as the tiebreaker for runners who complete the same number of loops.

The Butterfield trail system offers a well-maintained course that climbs steadily for the first two miles before transitioning into a scenic, wooded descent.

• - Loop Mechanics: Each 4.167-mile lap must be completed within 60 minutes. Runners must be in the starting corral exactly on the hour to start the next lap.
• - Self-Sufficiency: Artificial aid, including trekking poles and pacers, is strictly prohibited during the laps.
• - Awards: All finishers receive a locally made medal. Those who complete the 12-hour "50-mile" challenge receive a custom leather patch beanie.
• - Logistics: Packet pickup is held the day before at the Salt Lake Running Store in Sandy, UT, with race-day pickup available starting at 5:30 AM.

The Butterfield Blitz Backyard typically attracts a diverse group of endurance athletes. Based on participation trends in Utah mountain events and regional census data for Herriman, the estimated demographic breakdown for the race is as follows:

Organized by Happy Trails Running, the event emphasizes a community party atmosphere at the finish line, which acts as the central hub for runners and their support crews.

• - Nutrition: A well-stocked aid station features traditional ultramarathon food, including Tailwind electrolyte drink. Post-race breakfast (Great Harvest Bread) is provided for 4-hour finishers, while pizza is served for 8-hour and 12-hour participants.
• - Photography: Professional photos are provided for free through Xotio Media, using bib recognition for easy retrieval.
• - Park Facilities: The new Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park offers significant space for runners to set up tents and chairs. Note that while there is ample free parking, participants should prepare for mountain weather, with average highs around 71°F.