GrassRoots Racing

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GrassRoots Racing

2026 Last Person Standing | Louis Johnson | 32 loops
Course Record 35 Loops

10/10/2026

Consider this your warning. 😉

There's something that happens during Big Dog's Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

You watch. You follow the numbers. You see people heading back into the corral hour after hour after hour.

And somewhere along the way, a little voice starts saying...
I wonder how many yards I could do?

We know. That's how they get you. 😂

The Championships begin October 17, and well, there are only 15 spots remaining for next year's GrassRoots BYU.

Why is that important you ask?

Our Early Bird pricing wraps up October 16, which is probably good timing—because once you're watching Backyardigans around the world answer the bell, we make absolutely no promises about what you'll decide to do next.

If GrassRoots has been sitting in the back of your mind, you might want to grab your spot before the world gets running.

Photo taken in Bell Buckle, 2021. The year 85 yards, 354 miles with Harvey Lewis - Ultra Runner won it all.

See you in the corral
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=141741

10/08/2026

Timing Wizards. 🪄
First Aid Heroes. 🩹
Meet & Greet Crew. 🙌
Tent City organizers and all-around wonderful humans.

It takes a pretty great group of volunteers to bring GrassRoots Backyard Ultra to life every year.

Some roles put you right in the middle of the action. Others give you a front-row seat to the weird and wonderful world of Backyard running. All of them make a difference.

And because some of our volunteers have a habit of becoming Backyardigans themselves, we’re always looking for new people to join the family.

Curious about GrassRoots but not sure you’re ready to step into the corral?

Volunteering is a pretty great place to start.
Sign up here: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=141741

10/01/2026

Be honest. How invested are you about to get? 👀

The Backyard World Team Championships are almost here.

And if you've followed one before, you already know how this goes.

You start by checking in to see how your country's doing.

Then you notice something happening in another country.

Then there's a runner you've never heard of doing something incredible.

Suddenly you have six tabs open, the broadcast is playing, you're refreshing the results and explaining to everyone around you why one more yard is a very big deal.

With more than 70 countries taking part this year, we have a feeling there are going to be a LOT of stories to follow.

So tell us: who are you watching, and what's your World Championships viewing strategy?

Photo: When I met Big in 2021 🥰

09/26/2026

Three weeks. 🌎

Three weeks from now, Backyardigans around the world will be standing in their corrals at the exact same time.

More than 70 countries. National teams of 15. One yard every hour. And then we see where it takes us.

There is just something about the World Team Championships that makes an already wonderfully strange format even better.

So we want to know how you're planning to follow along.

Are you checking results every hour? Picking a few countries to follow? Planning to have the broadcast running all weekend? Have you actually booked time off because you know once it starts, you're not getting anything else done? 😂

What are you most looking forward to this year?

The first bell rings Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 a.m. Bell Buckle time.

Here we go.

09/23/2026

Love being able to share this one.

There are a lot of familiar names on this list, along with some new ones, and seeing Team Canada come together again always brings back a lot of memories.

The first World Team Championships took us to BC in 2020. In 2022, I had the opportunity to serve as Team Canada’s manager and Race Director, and two years ago I made my way to New Brunswick to support Yvan as he took on the team manager role. This year, it’s great to see Kara step in to lead Team Canada as the championships make their way back to Sicamous, BC.

I won’t be there in person this time, but I’m thrilled to still be part of it on the broadcast side, watching not only Canada but teams around the world come together on October 17.

Just another great chapter in how backyard running continues to grow in Canada. 🇨🇦

09/22/2026

We’ve noticed a pattern around here.

Someone signs up to volunteer because they’re curious about this whole Backyard Ultra thing.

They spend the weekend watching the corral. They meet the runners. They see Tent City come alive. They witness the highs, the lows and the ridiculous number of times someone says, “Okay, ONE more.”

And then registration opens for the next year…

👀

Suddenly our volunteer is wearing a bib.

We’ve lost more than a few volunteers to the corral over the years, and frankly, we love it.

So if you’ve been Backyard-curious but aren’t quite ready to race, come volunteer. It might be the best seat in the house.

Just don’t blame us if you find yourself registering next year.

09/05/2026

There are a whole lot of people who make a Backyard Ultra happen who never wear a bib.

They’re checking you in. Keeping an eye on timing. Helping Tent City find some semblance of order. Making sure everyone is where they need to be. Standing out there in the rain. And somehow still smiling after hours and hours and hours of watching people head out for “just one more loop.”

Our volunteers are a huge part of the GrassRoots family, and this race simply wouldn’t be what it is without them.

To everyone who has given us a few hours, a full day or an entire weekend over the years: THANK YOU. 💛

You’ve helped build this little backyard into something pretty darn special.

Want to volunteer for 2027? We'd love to have you.
Register: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=141741

09/03/2026

Okay, let's settle this.

You get back from your yard with 12 minutes to spare.

What's your FIRST move?

🥪 Eat
🪑 Sit
🧦 Feet/socks
🚻 Bathroom
☕ Caffeine
😶 Stare into the distance and reconsider every decision that brought you here

Backyardigans, defend your answer.

Address

Okotoks, AB

Website

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=141741, https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=141741

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