Elm Creek Backyard Ultra

The Elm Creek Backyard Ultra 2026 enters its fifth year as the premier "Backyard" style endurance event in the Twin Cities, beginning on Friday, April 24, 2026. Hosted at the Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the race follows the traditional format popularized by Lazarus Lake: runners must complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour on the hour. The event is a test of attrition rather than speed, continuing until only one participant remains to complete a final solo lap, earning the title of "Last Runner Standing." In 2025, the event saw remarkable endurance, with the top performance reaching 175 miles.

Maple Grove is a vibrant retail and residential hub in Hennepin County, part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 70,500 residents. The demographic profile of Maple Grove is approximately 82.4% White, 7.9% Asian, 4.8% Black or African American, and 2.6% Hispanic or Latino. The city is one of the more affluent suburbs in the region, with a median annual household income of roughly $132,000. Geographically, the Elm Creek Park Reserve offers a diverse landscape of wetlands and forests; the course itself specifically traverses the south side of the park around Mud Lake. The climate in late April in Minnesota is highly unpredictable; average temperatures range from a low of 4°C (39°F) to a high of 15°C (59°F), though runners must be prepared for everything from late-season snow to heavy spring rain during the multi-day event.

The rules of the Backyard Ultra are strictly enforced: runners must be in the starting corral at the ring of the bell or they are disqualified. No pacing or outside aid is allowed while on the course, though crews are permitted to assist runners at the Bluebird Picnic area between laps. Note that park gates are locked overnight, meaning crews staying on-site cannot re-enter until dawn if they leave. All participants except the winner are officially recorded as "Did Not Finish" (DNF), though their total mileage is tracked for historical results. For those looking to qualify for the Backyard Championship at Big Dog’s, this event serves as a sanctioned launching pad. Registration for the 2026 race closes on April 20, or when the 190-runner capacity is reached.