Welcome to the backyard!
We are so incredibly excited and honoured to welcome you to our signature event, the Persistence Backyard Ultra.
Do you have enough persistence to push yourself further than you think is possible? Do you have enough persistence to be the Last One Standing? Find out during the inaugural edition of the Persistence Backyard Ultra, beginning on July 29th, 2022.
As a bonus for any Ontario runners, the backyard will be taking place on the August long weekend, giving you an extra day to run, or recover. That will lead to less of those "why are you walking like that?" conversations when you go back to work.
Whether you are trying to earn yourself a spot on the Canadian Backyard Ultra Team, or "simply" trying to test your limits, our race is the place to be.
The Persistence Backyard Ultra is an official affiliated race of Big Dog's Backyard Ultra. We are very proud to be Ontario's only Silver Ticket Race. This means that the winner of our race will qualify directly to the Canadian National Backyard Ultra Team! The team will compete in B.C. at the 2022 World Championships. Other competitors may qualify indirectly for the team if they are able to run far enough.
As with all of our events, $5 from each registration will be donated to the Children's Health Foundation in support of children and their families in our community.
Race Sanctioning
We are proud to be an Athletics Ontario sanctioned race.
The Venue/Course
The backyard will take place at the Eco Park located just outside of the northeast corner of London at (approximately) 15889 Medway Road in Arva. If you enter Eco Park London into Google Maps, you'll find it (we'll have more specific instructions closer to race day).
Our course will be made up of a smaller circuit, of approximately 3.36 kilometres which you must complete two times consecutively within the hour to make up the required 6.706 kilometre loop.
You will never be far from Race HQ, so this makes it a great race for those of you who might be unsure of tackling a new distance.
The course is very runnable, consisting of a crushed stone trail, some grass, and a dirtroad.
Please note that the Eco Park is a private facility. Runners are unable access the park to run the course prior to the event (also, the course won't be set up until race day).
You can view the course here (please note, this is an approximation of the course, and there may be slight variations):
https://onthegomap.com/s/au541jhc
The course will start at the green dot on the map. Runners will head west, before going around the pond. They will continue past the start corral, and then complete the rest of the 3.36 km course. After rounding the pond again, they will reenter the start corral and complete the 3.36 km course another time to make up the required distance within the hour.
You can check out some photos of the course on our website:
https://www.persistenceracing.com/persistence-backyard-ultra
Race Schedule
The race will begin at 7 p.m. on July 29th and continue until one runner completes one loop more than all other runners (or until no runners can complete one more loop...)
4 p.m. Runners and crew will have access to the park. The gate to the park will not be open until 4 p.m. Please do not arrive early, as you will be blocking traffic on Medway Road.
4 - 6:15 p.m. Race day kit pickup.
6:20 p.m. Mandatory race meeting for all runners and crew.
7 p.m. The first loop!
Local runners are encouraged to pick up their race kits prior to race day on July 27th between 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. at BackRoads Brews + Shoes located at 1295 Riverbend Road in London.
The Rules
By entering this race you are agreeing to all of the official rules of affilated backyard races as stated in the picture below. It is your responsibility to ensure that your crew is also aware of these rules.
These rules are black and white (as you can see above), there is no grey area open for interpretation. To maintain our affiliation, and allow our runners the chance to qualify, we must adhere strictly to these rules.
In addition to the above rules, we will be limiting each runner to 1 crew member to start the event. As runners are eliminated, they and/or their crew member, may assist other runners between loops.
Due to spacing and safety considerations (the course runs along the only road into and out of the park), spectators are not allowed.
Your race bib must be worn on the front of your body, and remain visible at all times while on the course.
If you are dropping from the event, please inform a race official.
Runners and their crew will be responsible for ensuring they dispose of any garbage/recycling in the provided bins.
Safety/Gear
Headlamps (or equivalent) will be required after dark. Reflective gear is encouraged.
It will likely be hot during the event, please ensure that you have adequate warm-weather gear and are prepared for any other possible elements, such as, but not limited to, cooler temps, rain, etc.
We will have medical support on site. Medical personnel along with race staff will have the authority to withdraw runners from the event in the event that it is determined that it is unsafe for them to continue.
Please inform race officials before departing the site. If you are driving, please allow adequate rest and recovery before doing so.
Food/Hydration
You are required to bring all of your own food and drinks for the event. There is no potable water on site (the race will provide some food and hydration options, including some samples in your race kit courtesy of our good friends at Endurance Tap, but you should plan on being self-sustainable). You may bring one crew member to assist you, and they must also provide their own hydration and food.
Camping/Shelters etc.
You are allowed to bring your own shelters. In addition, there is a covered pavillion (concrete pad) near the start/finish area which may be utilized.
Spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. As the race progresses, and runners are eliminated, we ask that eliminated runners move their camps further back from the start corral to allow remaining runners to have those spots. Eliminated runners/crew are welcome, and encouraged to stay to cheer on/support remaining competitors (within the stated rules of course!), and to have fun.
Timing
There will be no timing. That's what you have that fancy watch for! You are either back at race HQ before the hour expires or you're not. Simple. Whether you get there in 39 minutes, or 59 minutes, is irrelevant.
Swag/Prizes
Each runner will receive an awesome commemorative hoodie so you can brag to all of your friends about that time you ran a backyard ultra! You can also use it as a pillow when you curl up in the fetal position after your 17th loop!
Each (of legal drinking age) runner will receive a celebratory or conciliatory post race beer courtesy of our good friends at the Rally Beer Company.
The winner will receive the coveted silver coin, a spot on Canada's National Team, and another couple of mystery rewards (we can't give away all of the fun!).
In addition, the winner will receive a free entry to next year's Persistence Backyard and some financial assistance for their trip to B.C. We will be donating $5 from each registration to go towards the winner's trip to B.C. for the World Team Championships. ***
***To be paid once the winner provides proof of booked travel. If the winner does not go to B.C., this money will not be awarded***
Photos
If you're running for that long, we can probably get some pictures of you. Eventually, you will be moving pretty slowly, so it should be easy. We will give them to you for free, because, even though you might not like us when you are on your 27th loop, we will still like you.
Refund Policy
There are no refunds for this event. However, life happens. Work trouble, running injuries, a bad paper cut, we get it. If you have to withdraw from the event by June 15th, 2022 we will give you a 100% race credit for a future Persistence race.
If you need to withdraw after June 15th you will receive a 50% race credit. Sorry, but by then we will have already paid for your stuff, and the resale market for unclaimed race hoodies, tote bags, etc. is unfavourable.
Other
This race is shaping up to be one incredible adventure. Whether you are trying to reach a new distance goal, or trying to win the event, and earn a spot on Canada's national team, we are going to support you, you are going to crush it, and we are all going to have one awesome weekend (and beyond???)!
We will have more information for you closer to race day. Thanks for being a part of the backyard!
"Welcome to the backyard family."
-Laz
Registration fees
Persistence Backyard Ultra Closed
Online registration closed-
Run 6.706 kilometres over, and over, and over...
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CA$155.00Feb 23 – Apr 5
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CA$160.00Apr 6 – May 31
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CA$165.00Jun 1 – Jun 15
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Contact information
- Event contact
- Neil McKay
- Website
- Visit website