The backyard ultra format was created by Lazarus Lake, the founder of the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra, which first took place in 2011. The concept is simple but brutal: runners must complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour, with the race continuing until only one runner remains.

It’s a race that strips endurance down to its core, testing not only physical stamina but mental resilience, as participants must endure hour after hour of running, with no end in sight. The format has since become a global phenomenon, with backyard ultras held all around the world, each event challenging runners to push through the limits of fatigue, discomfort, and self-doubt.

Lazarus Lake’s backyard ultra concept has inspired countless races, becoming a benchmark for those seeking the ultimate endurance test.

What makes the backyard ultra so unique is its reliance on strategy, mental toughness, and the willingness to embrace pain, while the clock relentlessly ticks away. It’s a race where quitting isn’t an option—only those who are willing to outlast the rest remain standing. Runners of all experience levels have come to love the format, not just for the challenge it presents, but for the sense of community that grows between participants as they endure together.

FORGE takes inspiration from this legendary race format and is designed to offer a concise, focused experience for those looking to challenge themselves in the backyard format. Running 50 miles over 12 hours is a serious test of endurance, and every runner will feel the grind as they push through each loop.

FORGE embraces the same principles of toughness and resilience that define the backyard ultra, without the extended duration of a multi-day race. Whether you complete one lap or all twelve, you’ll be tested, you’ll grow, and you’ll experience the unique satisfaction of conquering this demanding race format.