GrassRoots Backyard Ultra 2026

The Backyard Format

Every hour on the hour, runners set out on a 6.71 km loop along the Sheep River in Okotoks. Keep showing up. Keep answering the bell. Stop, and you’re out. The last person standing is the winner.

Our loop is fast, flat, and deceptively tough—perfect for chasing new personal records. In 2024, more than half the field hit 15 loops (100 km), and Preston Schaffer set the course record with 35 loops. Who’s next?

What’s New for 2026

Celebrating 5 years of Backyard
Last Person Standing earns the trophy, bragging rights, and $500
Beat the course record (35 loops) and take home an extra $250

Why the Backyard?

Because it’s more than a race—it’s a test of endurance, strategy, and community. It’s where you find your limits, and then run right past them.

Course Details:

• • • Location: Okotoks is a located just 20 minutes south of Calgary, Alberta.
    • Course Description: The 6.71-kilometer loop is primarily an asphalt pathway running alongside the scenic Sheep River, with a small section of single-track dirt trail and 34 meters of elevation gain. This flat and fast course enables runners to push themselves to achieve incredible distances. Note: This is an open course, following public pathways.