the Capital backyard ultra- a golden ticket event!
NEW LOCATION- Lorton, VA
The Capital Backyard Ultra will take place at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, 10702 Harley Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, a suburb of Washington, DC. The terrain will be flat, open field for 0.7mi, and a mix of dirt and crushed gravel bridle trails on the remainder of the course. Each loop will be 4.167 miles, allowing runners to achieve one hundred miles in a 24 hour period. Timing and results will be provided by Mike Melton of MCMTiming. The race is for you, the runner, to push your limits and see what you can truly achieve. This event is a Golden Ticket Race for Big's Backyard Ultra 2021. At Big's in 2021 all national champions from the satellite events in the 2020 World Championship will be invited, along with any runners who exceeded 50 hours. The winner of CBU in 2021 will truly be running with the "Big dogs!"
Course and Location
Location
The event will be held in Mason Neck, VA, approximately 30 minutes from Washington, DC. As you run you are likely to see local wildlife, including the bald eagles that call Mason Neck home.
Terrain
The terrain will be flat, open field for 0.7mi, and a mix of dirt and crushed gravel bridle trails on the remainder of the course. Each loop will be 4.167 miles, allowing runners to achieve one hundred miles in a 24 hour period.
Map
The course will be run in a Counter-Clockwise direction, with one small loop through a field (7,) a large loop through the forest (11, 13, 14,) and an out-and-back along the tree line / meadow (1.)
Elevation Profile
Averaging Strava, Coros, and Suunto, elevation gain is 300-350ft/loop.
Start/Finish and Camping
Start/Finish
The Start/Finish will be set up as above. Canopies can be set up in the red area. Location will be first come, first served, with a large tented area at the start.
Parking and Camping
Parking and camping will be on site.
Information
A Big's Backyard Ultra Golden Ticket Event
The Capital Backyard Ultra is pleased to announce that we are a Golden Ticket Event for the World Championship Backyard Ultra, Big's, in Bell Buckle TN! The winner of the Capital Backyard Ultra will receive paid entry to Big's, plus a $200 travel stipend.
Event Details
The Capital Backyard Ultra will begin at 8am on Saturday, May 29, 2021, and proceed until only one runner is remaining.
The format is a 4.167 mile loop that will begin on the hour, every hour. Three minutes before the start of each loop (three minutes before the top of the hour) three whistles will be blown. Two minutes before the top of the hour, two whistles will be blown. One minute before the top of the hour, one whistle will be blown. A bell will ring signifying the start of each round. All runners continuing must be present when the final bell rings.
Race rules
As stated above, all runners must be in the race corral at the start of the hour, or they will not be allowed to continue. They are not allowed to exit the course except to use the porta potty, until they complete the loop. It’s very simple. However ”Simple” does not equate to “Easy.”
The last runner must complete one additional loop to be named the winner. All other runners are DNFs, but they will know that they have truly reached the limit of their endurance. The “winner” will not have this satisfaction but will have another opportunity to find their limit at Big’s in October.
Aid Station
Aid for this event is mostly self-sufficient. Ice, water, and electrolyte drink will be provided to the runners. Real food options will be available starting at noon on Saturday.
Staging Area
We will have a large covered area for runners near the start. Runners may bring a folding chair and small cooler into this area. All other gear must be outside this space. Runners may set up their own popup canopies as well. No runner will be more than a 5-10 second walk from the starting line, and as runners leave, they will be asked to vacate the more "prime" locations.
Crew Access
Crews will be allowed for the duration of the event.