Sisu Backyard Ultra at Lake Rebecca park
Athlete guide
Welcome
Welcome to the Sisu Backyard Ultra Runner's Guide.
Whether this is your first backyard ultra or your fiftieth, we're honored you've chosen to join us at beautiful Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.
This guide is designed to help you prepare for race weekend. Inside you'll find everything you need to know about the course, schedule, rules, aid station, crew information, and what to expect throughout the event. We recommend taking a few minutes to read through each section before race day.
As this is the inaugural Sisu Backyard Ultra, we're continuing to fine-tune a few details as race weekend approaches. We'll keep this guide updated with the latest information, so we encourage you to check back periodically. You can also follow us on Facebook or join our Strava Club to stay up to date with announcements and event updates. As race day gets closer, we'll also provide a printable PDF version of this guide.
strava.com/clubs/sisuprojectmn
https://www.facebook.com/sisubackyardultra
At the Sisu Project, we believe endurance is about more than running. It's about challenging yourself, supporting others, embracing the outdoors, and discovering what you're capable of when things become difficult.
event overview
Date: September 5, 2026 — until one runner is left
Location: Lake Rebecca Park — 9831 Rebecca Park Trail, Rockford, MN 55373
Start Time: 9am
Packet Pickup: 6:30 - 8:30
The Sisu Backyard Ultra follows the official Backyard Ultra format.
Every hour, on the hour, runners begin a 4.167-mile loop.
Complete the loop before the next hour begins, and you earn the opportunity to start another.
Fail to finish within the hour, or fail to report to the starting corral before the bell, and your race is over.
One runner remains.
Everyone else gets a DNF.
our philosophy
This race isn't about speed.
It's about consistency.
It's about patience.
It's about showing up every hour ready to do one more lap.
Whether you complete 5 yards or 50, you're part of this community.
Run your race.
Encourage everyone else.
Leave stronger than you arrived.
Course information
Strava — https://www.strava.com/routes/3504592220097932820
The course at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve is scenic, offering a mix of gravel park roads, two-track trails, and asphalt bike path. The route follows the shoreline of Lake Rebecca before looping through the woods and returning to the start/finish area.
For reference, the course can be broken down into five main sections: the north shore road, Lake Rebecca Road, the Bike Path, the Two-Track, and Tamarack Road. The following provides a brief overview of each section.
1) North Shore Road
Surface — gravel
Distance — .67 miles (Each Direction)
Elevation Gain — 36 feet as you leave the start line — 7 feet as you return to finish
The course begins with a short grassy section (approximately 0.2 miles) through the park. Please note that the exact route of this section may be adjusted on event day to accommodate park conditions or event needs.
After leaving the grassy section, runners will pass the pavilion and head down a tree canopy-covered gravel road. While it could be described as either a wide trail or a narrow road, the surface is smooth and easy to run. This section is fairly flat, with a gentle uphill grade on the way out to the main loop and a slight downhill grade on the return to the start/finish area.
2) Lake Rebecca road
Surface — Gravel
Distance — .94 miles
Elevation Gain — 17 feet
North Shore Road connects to Lake Rebecca Road by a short stretch of asphalt bike path. Lake Rebecca Road is a gravel park road that is not open to public vehicle traffic.
At 0.94 miles, Lake Rebecca Road is the longest uninterrupted section of the course. The road is perfectly straight and gently rolls downhill as it follows the eastern shoreline of Lake Rebecca, offering great views of the lake along the way. This section provides runners with an excellent opportunity to settle into a comfortable rhythm before reaching the next section of the course.
3) Bike path hill
Surface — Asphalt
Distance — .86 miles
Elevation Gain — 68 feet
Bike Path Hill is exactly as it sounds—a paved bike path that accounts for a good portion of the elevation gain on the course. The path winds through a wooded section of the park, providing shade for much of the climb.
Although it is one of the longer climbs on the course, the grade is steady and runnable. At the top, the course leaves the bike path and transitions onto the Two-Track.
4) scenic trail
Surface — Mix of dirt and grass
Distance — .69 miles
Elevation Gain — 20 feet
This section of the course is perfect if you enjoy taking in the scenery. The trail winds through a beautiful mix of woods, grassland, wildflowers, and scenic marshes. With its flowing, rolling hills and gentle curves, it's one of the most enjoyable sections of the course.
5) Tamarack road
Surface — Gravel
Distance — .29 miles
Elevation Gain — 17 feet
This is a short stretch of park road that completes the loop and brings you back to North Shore Road. Knock out this final climb, and it's all downhill from there. We'll see you at the next yard!
Start/Finish
The start/finish area is the heart of the Sisu Backyard Ultra. Every yard begins and ends here, making it your home base for the duration of the event.
Between laps you'll have access to your crew, personal gear, nutrition, seating, restrooms, and the main aid station. You'll quickly settle into a routine, so taking a few minutes before the race to familiarize yourself with the layout can make a big difference once the yards start adding up.
Runner Tent Spaces
Each registered runner may set up one 10' x 10' tent in the designated runner area. Your tent is your home for the weekend, so we encourage you to bring anything that will help you stay comfortable and organized. Many runners choose to bring chairs, extra shoes, changes of clothing, blankets, lighting, chargers, and personal nutrition.
If you don't plan to bring a tent, don't worry. We'll have a larger community tent available for runners who prefer a shared space.
Please be respectful of neighboring runners by keeping your setup within your assigned space and maintaining clear walkways throughout the event.
Start Corral
All runners must be inside the starting corral before the bell signaling the start of each yard. There are no late starts. Once the bell rings, everyone begins together.
Please listen for announcements throughout the event, as race updates and important information will be shared from the start/finish area.
Please Help Us Keep It Beautiful
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve is an incredible place to host a backyard ultra, and we're grateful to share it with you. Please help us care for the park by disposing of trash properly, keeping your area tidy, and respecting fellow runners, volunteers, and park visitors.
We hope the start/finish area becomes more than just a place to begin another lap. It's where friendships are made, stories are shared, and the backyard ultra community comes together. Enjoy the experience—and don't forget to cheer on the runners around you.
Nutrition
One of the best parts of a backyard ultra is coming back to good food every hour.
We'll have a well-stocked aid station throughout the event, along with hot meals served at scheduled times. Our goal is to provide a variety of options that appeal to different tastes and help keep you fueled as the race progresses.
While the menu may vary slightly, you can expect a mix of items such as:
Fruit
Salty snacks
Sweet snacks
Sandwiches and wraps
Soup
Breakfast foods
Hot meals
Candy
Soda
Water
Electrolyte drinks
Coffee
Bring What Works for You
Every runner's nutrition strategy is different. While we'll have plenty of food available, we strongly encourage you to bring any sports nutrition or specialty items you know work well for you.
If you rely on specific gels, drink mixes, bars, or other products during long efforts, plan to bring enough for the duration of your race.
What to Bring
Required
• Headlamp
• Hydration bottle or cup
Recommended
• Multiple pairs of shoes
• Several changes of clothes
• Rain gear
• Warm layers
• Camp chair
• Blanket
• Chargers
• Batteries
• Extra socks
• Personal nutrition
Crew Information
A great crew can make all the difference in a backyard ultra.
Whether they're helping you stay on top of nutrition, organizing gear, or simply offering encouragement between yards, crews play an important role in every runner's experience. We welcome and appreciate the friends and family who make the trip to support our runners.
Crew Access
Crews are welcome throughout the event and may assist runners while they are in the start/finish area between yards.
Please remember that once the starting bell rings, runners must begin the next yard on their own. Crews may not accompany runners on the course unless otherwise announced by race officials.
Runner Camps
Each runner may set up one 10' x 10' tent in the designated runner area. This space is intended to be your home base for the weekend.
Crews are encouraged to help keep these areas organized and free of unnecessary clutter. Please be respectful of neighboring runners by keeping walkways clear and minimizing noise, especially during the overnight hours.
Parking
Crew parking is available in the designated event parking area. Please do not park along roads, block emergency access routes, or drive into the runner village unless directed by race staff.
If you need to leave and return during the event, please drive slowly and watch for runners, volunteers, and spectators.
Be Ready for Anything
Minnesota weather can change quickly in October. Crews should come prepared for cool temperatures, rain, wind, and long hours outdoors.
Many crews find it helpful to bring:
Chairs
Warm clothing
Blankets
Rain gear
Flashlights or headlamps
Chargers and battery packs
A cooler
Extra food and drinks
Support the Community
One of the things that makes backyard ultras special is the sense of community that develops over the course of the event. As runners begin to drop, crews often find themselves cheering for everyone still on the course.
We encourage crews to get to know one another, support all runners, and help create the welcoming atmosphere that defines the Sisu Backyard Ultra.
A kind word, a cheer, or even a smile can make a bigger difference than you might imagine.
Thank you for being part of the experience.
Event Rules
The Sisu Backyard Ultra follows the official Backyard Ultra format. Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the rules before race weekend.
Our goal is simple: create a fair, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Backyard Ultra Format
Each yard is 4.167 miles (6.706 km).
A new yard begins every hour, on the hour.
Runners must be in the starting corral before the bell to begin the next yard.
There are no late starts.
Every runner starts each yard together.
Complete the loop within the hour to continue.
Any time remaining in the hour is yours to eat, recover, and prepare for the next yard.
Runners who do not complete a yard within one hour receive a DNF and may not continue.
The race continues until only one runner successfully completes a yard. That runner is the Last One Standing.
The final runner who does not complete the final yard receives the Assist.
Course Rules
Stay on the marked course at all times.
Do not take shortcuts.
If you accidentally leave the course, return to the point where you left and continue from there.
Headphones are permitted, but please remain aware of your surroundings and listen for instructions from race staff.
No music or audio played from external speaker or from a phone will be permitted.
Be courteous to fellow runners, volunteers, and park visitors.
Crew & Outside Assistance
Crews may assist runners only while they are in the start/finish area between yards.
No outside assistance is permitted while a runner is on the course.
Pacers are not permitted unless announced by race officials.
Crews must remain in designated areas.
Safety
A headlamp is required after dark.
Follow all instructions from race officials and volunteers.
Notify race staff immediately if you withdraw from the event.
If you observe another runner in need of assistance, please stop and help if it is safe to do so, then notify the next volunteer or race official.
Park Rules
Please help us protect Lake Rebecca Park Reserve by following Leave No Trace principles.
Pack out or properly dispose of all trash.
Respect wildlife and vegetation.
Use designated restroom facilities.
Keep campsites clean and organized.
Sportsmanship
The Sisu Backyard Ultra is about more than miles and yards.
Treat volunteers, fellow runners, crews, and spectators with respect. Celebrate one another's accomplishments, encourage those who are still on the course, and help create the supportive atmosphere that makes backyard ultras so unique.
Race Director Decisions
The Race Director reserves the right to modify the course, event schedule, or rules if necessary due to weather, safety concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances.
All decisions made by race officials are final.
What's Included
Your registration includes much more than entry into the race. Our goal is to create an unforgettable backyard ultra experience from your first yard to your last.
Race Entry
Entry into the Sisu Backyard Ultra
Professionally timed results
Runner Gift
Every registered runner will receive an exclusive Sisu Backyard Ultra long-sleeve sun shirt.
Food & Nutrition
Your registration includes access to our fully stocked aid station throughout the event, including:
Water
Electrolyte drinks
Coffee
Fruit
Sweet and salty snacks
Hot meals served throughout the weekend
Runner Village
Every runner will have space for one 10' × 10' tent in the designated runner area.
Don't have a tent? No problem. A larger community tent will also be available for runners who prefer a shared space.
Awards
Last One Standing Championship Award — Follow us on Facebook for a reveal coming soon!
Assist Award
100-Mile Buckle for every runner who reaches 24 hours (100 miles)
Course Support
Well marked course
Aid station at every yard
Community
Perhaps the most valuable part of your registration isn't something we can put in a swag bag.
You'll spend the weekend surrounded by runners, crews, volunteers, and spectators who understand the unique challenge of a backyard ultra. Whether you run four yards or forty, you'll leave with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and stories you'll be telling for years to come.
We can't wait to welcome you to the Sisu Backyard Ultra.