The Oldman Backyard Ultra

The Oldman Backyard Ultra 2026 is a premier endurance event held at Pavan Park in Lethbridge, Alberta. Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM MT, it is officially recognized as one of only six Silver Ticket events in Canada for the year. The "Last Person Standing" earns an automatic spot on Team Canada for the National Championships in Sicamous, BC. Organized as a non-profit "running festival" by Youth One, the event follows standard Backyard Ultra rules: participants must complete a 6.7 km loop every hour on the hour until only one runner remains.

The race is designed to be a high-support environment, featuring a "Pizza Party" dinner for participants on May 1st and a high-end aid station throughout the competition.

Registration officially closes on April 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM MT. This date also serves as the final deadline for dropping out to receive a 50% rollover credit for the following year's event.

Lethbridge is the largest city in southern Alberta, with a population of approximately 106,000 residents. It serves as the commercial and financial hub for the surrounding agricultural region. Demographically, Lethbridge is approximately 73.5% White, 7.3% Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), and 19.2% Visible Minorities, with Filipino (4.8%) and South Asian (3.9%) communities being the largest minority groups. The median household income is roughly $82,000, and the city is home to the University of Lethbridge, contributing to its reputation as a "research and education city."

The local culture is defined by prairie tenacity and a deep connection to the Oldman River valley. Pavan Park, located at the northern edge of the city, offers a rugged landscape of coulees and river bottom forests that provide a scenic yet mentally taxing backdrop for ultra-runners. The community is highly supportive of youth development, as evidenced by the race's partnership with Youth One. The organization provides mentorship for teens aged 11–18, and this event aims to fund 460 individual sponsorships, each costing $1,500 per year, to provide free out-of-school programs for local families.

While the Silver Ticket draws elite competitors like past top performers Keith Harder and Austin Sedgwick, the event is open to runners of all abilities who wish to test their personal limits. The course winds through the rolling coulees, offering a unique "Festival" atmosphere where runners who have timed out can stay to support those still on the course. By the morning of May 2nd, the Pavan Park trailhead will become a hub of community and endurance, as athletes push through day and night to see who will represent Canada on the national stage.