Event Description
Fifteen hours. Hourly loops through downtown Tacoma. See how far you get.
The Grit City Backyard Ultra is Tacoma’s take on the backyard ultra format: a 3.3-mile loop through downtown Tacoma— featuring the Bridge of Glass, the Glass Museum, the Tacoma Dome, and generally gorgeous city views— repeated every hour on the hour for up to 15 hours. Show up to the corral in time for the next lap, or take an honorable DNF! Complete all 15 laps — 45.5 miles total — and you’re a finisher!
Don’t let the big numbers discourage you— finishing the race is not an expected goal for most participants— but having fun is! This race is about the hours in between: watching the course empty out lap by lap, grabbing a grilled cheese between loops, and seeing who’s still moving as the day wears on. Bring a crew if you can— someone at the corral to hand you food, fresh socks, and a reason to keep going will make the day all the merrier!
Backyard Ultra Rules
- This is a casual race, and the main goal is to have fun! All different levels of runners are welcome, and are encouraged to bring friends and/or family as a support squad!
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All runners must be inside the starting corral before the start of every lap.
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Each lap begins precisely on the hour, exactly one hour after the previous lap started.
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Runners must be physically inside the corral when the bell rings.
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Every loop, including the final one, must be completed within the one-hour time limit to count.
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Runners are solely responsible for providing their own personal nutrition and aid needs. (muscle care, electrolytes, etc.)
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Water, soft drinks, and grilled cheese are the only food and beverages provided at the race hub.
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The winner is declared as anyone who completes all 15 laps or is the last runner remaining before a DNF.
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All other participants who fail to meet these criteria are officially classified as a DNF.
