Where Trail Birds Flock Together, Hour After Hour BRONZE TICKET EVENT - Spread your wings at Willenborg Woods and earn your chance to soar toward Big Dog's Backyard Ultra World Championship! Welcome to our nest at Willenborg Woods , where 149 acres of lovingly maintained trails await your footsteps. Our roosting spot offers everything from riverside views to ridge-top challenges, all crafted with care by Becca Willenborg and her flock of trail enthusiasts.
Every hour, the rooster crows, and you'll tackle our beautiful 4.167-mile loop. Last bird standing claims the Bronze Ticket! This isn't just an endurance event - it's a gathering of the trail running flock where determination meets community.
DAY LOOP : Migrate through pristine single-track and groomed grass trails NIGHT LOOP : Spread your nocturnal wings over grass trails and country roads THE TUNNEL OF TREES : Nature's cathedral - your sanctuary between flights
Complete your migration each hour One support bird (crew) in your corner Night plumage required (reflection gear) Miss the hourly migration, and you'll need to roost
At Willenborg Woods, our mission goes beyond just hosting races. We're dedicated to providing a relaxed and fun environment where everyone can experience the joy of being in the woods. We build and maintain all trails on our property with love and care, creating an inclusive space where nature and community come together. Our races embody our core beliefs: Trail running should be challenging but fun Everyone deserves to experience the magic of the woods Community matters as much as competition Family (including spectators) is an essential part of the trail party Come shake your tail feathers with us and discover why our trails are becoming the nest for some of the most exciting trail running adventures in the region!
Whether you're chasing that Bronze Ticket to Big's or testing your wings in the ultra world, come join our trail running family. There's magic in these woods, where personal achievements soar alongside lasting friendships.
Jun 05, 2027
Distance — Backyard Ultra
Type — Running
09:00
$120.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for June in Charleston.
Learn more about the host city, Charleston.
Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 17,286, as of the 2020 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor, Mattoon. Both are principal cities of the Charleston–Mattoon Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Read more launchAll-time top performances and historical records for Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra.
| Place | Name | Year | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Doug Hettinger | '26 | 129.177 | |
| 🥈 | Chris Silva | '26 | 125.01 | |
| 🥉 | Rob Ulm | '26 | 100.08 | |
| 4 | Martin Gruebele | '26 | 75.006 | |
| 5 | Patrick Hirth | '26 | 66.672 | |
| 6 | Luke Miller | '26 | 62.505 | |
| 7 | Noah Benintende | '26 | 41.67 | |
| 8 | James Linnenburger | '26 | 37.503 | |
| 9 | Nicholas Dale | '26 | 37.503 | |
| 10 | Antonio Chavez | '26 | 33.336 |
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