LATR Backyard Ultra

LATR Backyard Ultra is held in Indianola, Iowa, on September 26, 2026, starting at 7:00 a.m. It follows the backyard ultra format: each hour, on the hour, every runner starts a new loop, and the event continues until only one person completes a lap within the hour. There is no set distance or cutoff, so your total mileage is decided by how many loops you choose to answer. The event takes place on trails in central Iowa.

Backyard ultras reward patience more than speed, which makes them approachable for first-time ultrarunners as well as veterans who want to test how long they can keep going. Since you can stop after any loop, you set your own goal, whether that is a 50K worth of laps or running through the night. Prepare with easy-paced time on your feet, learn to eat and change gear quickly during the short rest between laps, and practice pacing so each loop leaves you a few minutes to sit down. Bring a chair, spare shoes, and warm layers for after dark.