Blacks Grove Backyard Ultra Presented by Agony of DeFeet Wadena Run Club

• Designated camping areas are available.
• Primitive park: no electrical outlets.
• Bring your own tent or canopy, plus portable chargers or power banks.
• No alcohol, fireworks or illegal substances.
• No open flames; fire pits will be in designated areas.
• Keep camp clean and respect quiet hours.

• Packet pickup / check-in and camp setup: 8:00–9:30 AM
• One Loop Fun Run start: May 29th at 10:00 AM
• Last Man Standing start: May 29th at 11:00 AM

• One Loop Fun Run: 60 runners
• Last Man Standing: 60 runners

A waitlist is available if full.

• Park only in designated areas.
• Crew and support parking areas will be available.
• Carpooling is encouraged.
• Overflow parking info will be shared closer to race day.

• 4.167-mile loop, starting every hour on the hour.
• Finish within the hour; remaining time is rest.
• Missing the start or finishing late means DNF.
• No pacing and no outside help on course.
• The last runner to complete a solo loop wins.

DNF happens if you

• Don’t start a loop on time.
• Don’t finish within the hour.
• Choose not to continue.
• Receive pacing or outside assistance on course.

This is the “not your ordinary backyard ultra” twist, designed to break comfort and test grit.

1) The Grind reversal

• Loops 1–5 run in one direction.
• Loops 6–10 run in the opposite direction.
• The pattern repeats every 5 loops.
• Wrong direction may result in DQ, with no reruns and no exceptions.

2) Silence rule (10 PM – 5 AM)

• No music, speakers, cowbells or noise makers.
• Verbal encouragement is allowed.
• The aid station stays open but becomes quiet and low-light.

3) One comfort policy

At check-in, each runner picks ONE from each category for the whole race. No swapping later.

• Chair or blanket
• Hot drink or hot food
• Beanie or hand warmers

4) The last gong

Instead of a bell, runners get GONGED when eliminated, either for missing the corral start on the hour or for not returning in time to be ready for the next loop. When the gong hits, they receive their personalized DNF chip.

• The waiver is acknowledged during UltraSignUp registration.
• You must also physically sign again at packet pickup before racing.

Crew support is allowed ONLY in the yard (start and finish corral). Crew can help with food, hydration, clothing, gear swaps, basic care, and encouragement (outside silence hours).

• On-course assistance is NOT allowed.
• No pacers.
• No joining for a loop.
• No handing off supplies mid-loop.
• Runners must carry everything they plan to use during the loop.
• Violations may result in DQ.

• Backyard Ultra Division (Last Runner Standing): for runners craving the full backyard experience, whether your goal is one loop or one hundred.
• One-Loop Fun Run: run one official loop (4.167 miles), experience the course, and celebrate with the runners.

Must carry

• Phone, at all times
• Headlamp after dark (backup recommended)
• Reflective or visibility gear
• Hydration
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Personal nutrition

Recommended

• Emergency whistle
• Basic first aid and blister supplies