Capital Backyard Ultra
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Event overview
The Capital Backyard Ultra is a Silver Ticket last-runner-standing race on Saturday, March 28, 2026, held at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, 10702 Harley Rd, Lorton, Virginia, a suburb of Washington DC. The field is limited to 60 runners. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize and a finisher's award. The race was moved to late March 2026 to seek cooler conditions and a greater chance of a new course record. Nearest airports listed are Ronald Reagan National Airport (about 30 minutes) and Washington Dulles (about 40 minutes).
Format and entry
The event uses a repeating loop of 4.167 miles that begins on the hour, every hour. Three whistles are blown three minutes before the start of each loop, two whistles two minutes before, and one whistle one minute before. A bell signals the start of each round. Runners must be present when the bell rings to continue and may not exit the course except to use the porta potty until they complete the loop. The last remaining runner must complete one additional loop to be declared the winner; all others are recorded as DNFs.
Entry opens Saturday, June 14, 2025, via Ultrasignup with a waitlist. Invitations are offered to runners who have completed a 100-mile race or a prior Capital Backyard Ultra; 50-mile finishers are offered entry starting December 1, 2025, until capacity is reached. The entry fee is $200 and is nonrefundable. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.