Can you run a 6.706 km lap of a trail in one hour? Probably. Most runners—even beginners— can accomplish that. But can you do it again at the top of the next hour? And again, the hour after that? How about for 10, 20, or 30 (or more) hours in a row?
That’s the challenge facing participants in Nelson’s second-annual ‘Backyard Ultra’ trail race, taking place over Thanksgiving weekend on the trails above the Cemetery and along the Rail Trail.
Called the Cottonwood Countdown, reflecting the ‘beat the clock’ nature of the race, the event is organized by volunteers from the Nelson Running Club.
“A Backyard Ultra is a specific long-distance race format that is accessible and open to runners of almost any level and ability,” said Race Director Stephen Harris.
“Unlike a traditional 50km or 100km ultra-distance trail race, a Backyard Ultra literally takes place in the community’s backyard, on a 6.7km course.”
Why 6.7km? Race inventor Lazarus Lake (founder of the cult-favorite Barkley Marathons) set the distance as 100 miles in 24 hours. Converted to metric, this works out to 6.706 kilometers every hour.
“The unique thing about the Backyard format is that it involves a series of short laps, every hour on the hour. It’s not a single race covering a vast geographic area,” Harris explained.
“We start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, and entrants have one hour to complete the course. Most runners will finish the lap in about 45-50 minutes. Whatever time they have left in the hour is theirs to rest, eat, stretch, or whatever they need. But at 10:00 a.m., the horn sounds again, and everyone who finished the first lap on time starts again.”
If you don’t finish a lap in the hour or choose not to start the next one, you’re eliminated from the race and receive a DNF (Did Not Finish). The race continues until only one runner successfully completes a lap, making them the winner.
“Last year, our winner Hugh Beedell took the trophy in hour 18,” Harris said.
“This year, we’re expecting it to go much longer likely 24 to 30 hours, based on what we’re hearing from participants.”
Last year’s race was the first of its kind in Nelson, and none of the runners had specifically trained for the unique Backyard format. This year is different, Harris noted.
“There are at least 12 runners who’ve told me they’re planning to see the sun come up.”
The race will take place again on the Rail Trail at Cottonwood Lake Regional Park, located about 5 minutes south of Nelson on Hwy 6.
Last year’s race also occurred here, though the venue was a last-minute switch after a family of grizzly bears took up temporary residence on the original course in town.
“It was hectic last year, relocating the race on 24 hours’ notice with three very large grizzlies moving us out. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Cottonwood Lake was the perfect venue for a whole host of reasons, so we’ve renamed the race, and it’s staying in this location.”
Proceeds from the race support local trail-building organizations in Nelson. Presenting sponsors Valhalla Pure Outfitters and the Nelson and District Credit Union have returned to support the race and its charitable efforts.
As a ‘last person standing’ format, the race rewards perseverance, discipline, and sustainability—not speed. This means the Backyard attracts runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
“Last year, almost every runner achieved a personal best in terms of total distance covered,” Harris added.
“We had two women sign up who had never run more than 5km before. One completed two laps (13.4km), and the other ran three laps for 20.1 km—more than quadrupling her previous longest run. The feeling of accomplishment and community support in a Backyard race is unlike any other.”
While this year’s race is sold out, organizers invite community members to come to Cottonwood Lake to cheer on the runners.
Kootenay Kids Society will host a fundraising barbecue on Saturday afternoon, and Backroads Brewing and Chocofellar will be on-site offering product samples, creating a fun, festival-like atmosphere around the race.
“We even had a very special fan follow our race virtually last year through our Facebook posts,” said Harris.
“Agnes Werth from 100 Mile House heard about our race, and she started commenting on our Facebook page, cheering on the runners from home. She didn’t know anyone in the race, but all day and night, Agnes was there, posting words of encouragement to strangers running laps in the dark, hour after hour. There were more than a few tears when I told the runners about Agnes’ cheering!”
Head to www.NelsonBackyardUltra.ca for more info and links.
The Cottonwood Countdown is formerly known as the Tombstone Turkey Trot, because last year runners were supposed to be on the Graveyard Trail (tombstone) at Thanksgiving (turkey), however, the grizzlies pushed the directions out, and thus, the re-branded going forward as the Cottonwood Countdown.
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