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Ohio's Backyard Ultra Specs
*updated 10/19/2026
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2027
Time: 7:30AM and every hour thereafter
Location: McChesney Ridge Athletic Club, Lucasville, Ohio
Ohio's Backyard Ultra Registration
The capacity is 120 runners
The price: $130.00 upon opening date | $140 after January 31
*Ultra Signup now shows their "All-In Price" that includes all taxes and fees before checking out. The above prices reflect the "Base Price" prior to all taxes and fees. You'll see the "All-In Price" on UltraSignup before registering. You can read more on UltraSignup's All-In Pricing policy by CLICKING HERE.
Registration Open Date: See registration tiers and dates below.
Registration Close Date: Wednesday, March 17 @ 11:59PM
-----> Waitlisted runners can still be invited into the field up until the registration close date.
*Ohio's Backyard Ultra typically sells out, some years as fast as 20 minutes!
*REGISTRATION PROCESS:
The growth of the Backyard Ultra format and the popularity of Ohio's Backyard Ultra means that many runners who want to run these events will not be able to due to capacity restrictions, and so the registration process gets a bit tricky. Backyard Ultras need to ride the fine line in allowing competitive runners seeking the highest mileage threshold along with those seeking their own personal records, "rookies", and general runners alike. At OBU, we love the mix of experience and ability levels at the event, as we really feel that is part of what makes our event a great experience. At OBU, we also have the goal of inviting more women into the field, as we feel women often don't have the chances that men do with equal race registration. With that said, we have to design our registration process to give certain preferences for this race. Our aim is to allow the race to thrive in competition and opportunity, and we think that will make for the best event atmosphere for Ohio's Backyard Ultra. We want to be transparent in our registration process for OBU and have set it up to help reach these goals:
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Create a competitive field of runners that are aiming to reach the highest numbers possible (hours), and to put out some of the biggest numbers of all Backyard Ultra affiliate events.
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Create a great atmosphere with returning runners that have helped shape that atmosphere from past years at OBU, with the ability for new runners to gain entry into OBU.
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Provide women with greater opportunity to gain entry into this format, as it's shown there is a large disparity of men to women in the backyard ultra format.
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Early-Consideration Entry: October 31, 2026 - November 5, 2025 at 11:59PM (all times EST)
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Early invites will go to:
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Any runner that made it 100+ miles in the 2025 or 2026 OBU.
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All female runners that participated (regardless of result) in the 2025 or 2026 OBU.
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These runners have "first dibs" at registering, prior to the "General Registration."
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If one of these runners does not take advantage of their early registration, they will then have to get in via the general registration (see below).
General Registration: Friday, November, 6 2026 at 7:30 AM EST
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General Registration will last until we reach our capacity.
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General Registration will be first come/first serve starting at the above date and time.
Elite Entry:
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After we reach our capacity we will hold 5 spots for "elite entry."
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Elite entries will be resume-based and at the discretion of the RD (email RD).
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Elite Entrants will be selected to enhance competitiveness of the event.
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Elite Entrants will be required to register and pay the full price of entry; this special consideration allows those entries to bypass the capacity.
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Waitlist Process for 2027:
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Once we reach our event capacity using the above registration process we will open a waitlist.
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A waitlist runner will only move into the OBU field when a runner withdraws from the OBU entrant list.
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The waitlist will be set to private. The RD reserves the right to invite waitlisted runners into the OBU field based on meeting the above standard of providing a equal field of: elite competitive runners, women, "rookies", and general runners.
*Special Note On the Waitlist and Entry in OBU:
Just because Ohio's Backyard Ultra traditionally sells out months in advance of the event it doesn't mean you don't have a chance to still run the event come race day! We offer 100% full refund of entry cost to registered runners up to 45 days before the race, and due to the nature of injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, the waitlist moves fast in the 6 weeks before the event date. Furthermore, a lot of waitlisted runners often make secondary plans and end up declining their invite into the field of runners. Even on our busiest years, we almost always exhaust all of our waitlist! So, even if the race sells out, if you really want to run OBU, you're encouraged to enter the waitlist, train for the event as if you're running, then show up to the race and you'll very likely gain entry into the race!
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Past OBU Results and Highlights
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Course record: 55 yards, 229.16 miles, by Harvey Lewis (2021).
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38 runners reached 100 miles in 2021.
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29 runners reached 100 miles in 2023.
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9 runners from OBU gone on to run Big Dog's Backyard Ultra.
Harvey Lewis, 2021 winner, 55 yards (CR) and 2025 winner.
Winners of Ohio's Backyard Ultra
Troy Allen, 2019 winner, 31 yards
Dan Yovichin, 2022 winner, 46 yards
Harvey Lewis, 2025 winner, 50 yards
Tanner Lee, 2020 winner, 38 yards
Josh Laker, 2023 winner, 53 yards
Tyler Keenan, 2026 winner, 40 yards
The Queen Of Ohio's Backyard Ultra - Jennifer Russo
The 2024 OBU Last Person Standing
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Although she would never make this claim herself, Jennifer Russo is undoubtedly the Queen of OBU and could even be considered the Queen of all Backyard Ultras. Her indomitable force at this race is legendary; in her five years competing at OBU she's finished 154, 162, 175, 183 and 225 miles (54 hours). Jennifer was the top female in each of those years, top five overall in each of those years, and she placed second ("The Assist") in two of those years. And in 2024, finally, she became the Last Person Standing with her total of 44 hours and 183.33 miles. Even before she earned the victory it was easy to see why she was a crowd favorite, inspiring many people to go one lap yard further or to simply give this race a try. Her unselfish, quiet, and low-key persona is paired with a gritty and honed-in running style. And Jennifer isn't just the queen of OBU; while she may have got her backyard ultra start at Ohio's Backyard Ultra in 2019, she's gone on to compete in many more, including Big's Backyard Ultra multiple times and the 2023 Capital Backyard Ultra, where she finished with 308 miles (74 hours) - this mark is the world record of all women in the history of the backyard ultra format. If you want an example of how to approach running, life, and backyards, Jennifer is someone to look up too. We are lucky to have had her at OBU over the years.
Prizes
The Last Person Standing will receive $500 and a special Last Person Standing commemorative prize.
All other runners are considered a "Did Not Finish" Each person will receive a "DNF Coin" once they drop.
Each runner that registers will receive a t-shirt.
Laz's Affiliation - "The Road to Big’s"
Ohio's Backyard Ultra is part of the "Road to Big's series", as an "Affiliate Race" and serving as a "Bronze Ticket Race" in the 2025-2026 cycle, feeding into the a Silver Ticket Race, the Ode to Laz Backyard Ultra. Previously, OBU represented a "Silver Ticket" race designation from 2021-2024, sending many runners onto Big's Backyard Ultra. The winner of a Silver Ticket race will earn a spot on the World Team Competition roster (see below).
See all details on Laz's Road to Big's World Individual Championships by clicking the link below:
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/
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The "World Individual Championship" (Odd-Numbered Years) Affiliation: Every other year (odd-numbered years) the "World Individual Championship" of Backyard Ultras will take place at Big's Backyard Ultra and is made up of 75 runners who: 1. won their national championship, and 2. come from the at-large list of top results. See info on the World Individual Championship and qualifying here:
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/2027-roster/
The "World Team Competition" (Even-Numbered Years) Affiliation: Big's Backyard Ultra serves as the World Team Competition every other year (even-numbered years), which will be a 15-person team from USA. 6 of those runners will come from Silver Ticket Races and the other 9 will come from an at large list. Read more about the World Team Competition and qualifying here:
Ohio's Backyard Ultra Description
*updated 10/19/2026
Date: Saturday, March 20 2027
Time: 7:30AM and every hour thereafter
Location: McChesney Ridge Athletic Club, Lucasville, Ohio
2027 will be the 9th running of Ohio's Backyard Ultra! Starting in 2019, OBU quickly became one of the most successful and competitive backyard ultra affiliate races in North America; runners love the competitive nature of OBU, but most will point out the "family-reunion" like atmosphere that the event fosters at its host site, McChesney Ridge.
With the urging of Gary Cantrell, aka Lazarus Lake, aka Laz, who started the original Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra and the Barkley Marathons, the Backyard Ultra popularity has grown, with races all over the world. This is one of them.
So in likewise fashion, the Ohio Backyard Ultra will follow as closely to Laz’s original format as possible.
The concept is simple. It’s a “Last Person Standing Race” and in the end, just one runner will finish the race.
At 0730 hours on Saturday, we will start a race at McChesney Ridge on a course measured at 4.1667 miles. The time limit for this race is one hour.
Again at 0830 hours, we will begin another race around the same 4.1667 mile trail.
The same will be done at 0930, 1030, 1130, and so on, every hour.
Runners must be standing in the starting corral when the next race starts or else they may not continue.
Runners will also not continue if they choose not to themselves.
No late starts once the bell is rung.
Races will continue until only one runner remains, and at that point, once that person completes a loop on their own, that runner is the winner.
All other runners are a DNF.
At 1930 hours, the races will be moved to a road out and back course and continue in likewise fashion every hour thereafter.
At 0730 hours the next morning, races will continue on the trail loop.
At 3 minutes till each race 3 whistles will be blown.
At 2 minutes till each race 2 whistles will be blown.
At 1 minute till each race 1 whistle will be blown.
At 30 seconds till each race an announcement is made.
At 10 seconds till each race a countdown will begin.
A bell is rung once the race starts.
Once the bell is rung, runners may not visit their crew, their tent, their vehicle or receive aid from anyone.
Runners must stay on the course once the bell is rung.
The only reason for leaving the course once the bell is rung is to use the porta-potty, or to relieve yourself in the forest.
Once you finish your loop you may choose to do what you want, but must be back in the starting corral before the bell rings.
Runners will need to provide their own aid.
Crews are permitted, but limited to just 1 crew member per runner at all times, and crews are not needed. Crews may leave and come back if needed.
There will be a space next to the start and finish line to set up a chair, cooler, and other small personal items.
A campground area will be close by where you may set up a tent.
Any runner that DNF’s must immediately vacate their spot close to the finish line to allow surviving runners to move closer. DNF runners are welcome to continue spectating the Ohio Backyard Ultra.
Porta-potties will be located just after the start line.
A t-shirt will be provided to all entrants.
There will be some hot foods throughout the night, for meat and vegetarian lovers alike.
A fire ring to will continue to burn a fire. This is your trap.
Alcohol is permitted.
Water is provided.
Coffee is provided.
Location
McChesney Ridge Athletic Club
2198 Sedan Crabtree Rd.
Lucasville, Ohio 45648
Lodging Information
Camping
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Any spectator, volunteer, crew, or DNF'ed runner is allowed to camp on the McChesney Ridge property throughout the event, starting on Friday night.
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People are also free to "car camp" during the event.
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While competing, most runners and their crew end up staying in their tent within the "Runner Space".
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If you are seeking hotel or AirBnb lodging, you can do a search in the area, Lucasville or Portsmouth Ohio.
Ohio's Backyard Ultra Course
Day Course
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Each 4.1667 "yard" will be two (2) loops of 2.08 miles.
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Between 450-475 feet of elevation gain.
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The day course is a mixture of double-track trail, gravel, grass, and dirt. There is no pavement during the day course.
Night Course
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Likewise, it is measured to be 4.1667 miles.
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The night course is out and back.
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The night course has a gradual 150 feet of elevation gain.
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The night course opens with a stint of dirt and gravel, before entering pavement.
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Respect all the homes that you pass by on the road section. There are probably a dozen driveways that you pass on the night section. Dogs will be barking.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Refund/Rollover Policy:
There will be no "Rollovers" or "Deferments" into next year's Ohio's Backyard Ultra. However, we give entrants the ability to be refunded in full or partial amounts based on the proximity to the event day. The "Refund Window" for Ohio's Backyard Ultra is as follows:
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drop 45+ day prior to the event = 100% refund
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drop 20-44 days prior to the event = 50% refund
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drop 0-19 days prior to the event = 0% refund
Volunteer Option to Receive a Refund Inside the Refund Window
*Is it inside 20 days and you'd still like to receive a refund or rollover? If you are unable to run the race, but are still able to come and be a volunteer, we will issue you a refund or rollover even if it is under 20 days to the race date. Sign up as a volunteer at our Volunteer Platform and drop a note to the Race Director that you would like to count your volunteer credit toward a refund or rollover for this year's race. (ex. volunteer for 5 hours = receive $50 refund or $50 credit into a future SEOTR race.)
To withdraw and request a refund: You must have an UltraSignup account to request your refund. If you registered as a "guest" please email the race director and we will complete the process. Follow these steps:
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Log in to Ultrasignup.com
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Go into your account info and click "Registration History."
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Click "edit" next to the race you wish to withdraw from.
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After this scroll to the bottom of the page and click the red "Cancel Registration" button.
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Once you select cancel registration a box will appear giving you the option to select the refund.
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Click "Process."
**Please note that in some cases a bank will not accept a refund back onto a credit card if the original purchase was made over 90 days ago; in that case the race director will be notified and will send your refund via a check through the mail.
See more information on SEOTR's rules and policies on our Race Policies Page.
***There will be no Rollovers or Deferments or Transfers for Ohio's Backyard Ultra.