Courtney's Backyard Ultra is a Last Person Standing ultra marathon in Durango, United States. Elevation: 120m D+. Difficulty: challenging (Challenge Rating 37/100). DNF rate: 99%. Surface: trail. Established 2021.
Courtney's Backyard Ultra
Durango, Colorado, United States
"Last person standing at altitude. A backyard ultra in the Colorado mountains with thunderstorms for company."
A mountain backyard ultra at 2,000m in Colorado — altitude, afternoon thunderstorms, and last-person-standing determination.
The Course
A last-person-standing backyard ultra in the mountains of Colorado at 2,000m elevation. The standard 6.706km loop every hour, but with the added challenge of altitude and Colorado mountain weather. The loop traverses pine forest and mountain meadows.
rolling
backyard
1
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.
Race Day Weather
18°C
8° – 28°
35%
40%
Colorado mountain summer — warm days, cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are extremely common. Altitude makes everything harder.
Stats & Records
2021
1
Entry
$150
February
days
Lore & Trivia
Another entry in the global backyard ultra movement, this event brings the last-person-standing format to its community with the same elegant simplicity: 6.706km per hour, last runner standing wins. The format's global explosion since 2020 has created hundreds of local backyard events, each with its own character but all sharing the same DNA — Lazarus Lake's original invention, democratised and distributed worldwide.
- ▸ Named after Courtney Dauwalter, one of the greatest ultra runners of all time, who lives in Durango.
- ▸ The altitude of 2,000m adds a significant physiological challenge to the already demanding backyard format.
- ▸ Colorado afternoon thunderstorms add unpredictable weather to the mix — lightning delays are possible.
- ▸ The small field size creates an intimate, community atmosphere.
- ▸ Established in 2021.
Every backyard ultra is the same and every one is different. The loop stays constant; you're the variable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Courtney's Backyard Ultra? +
Courtney's Backyard Ultra is a Last Person Standing ultra with 120m of elevation gain on trail terrain.
How hard is Courtney's Backyard Ultra? +
Courtney's Backyard Ultra is rated challenging with a Challenge Rating of 37/100 (Moderate). The DNF rate is 99%.
What is the weather like at Courtney's Backyard Ultra? +
Average temperature is 18°C (range 8°C to 28°C) with 35% humidity and a 40% chance of rain. Colorado mountain summer — warm days, cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are extremely common. Altitude makes everything harder.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Courtney's Backyard Ultra? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are not allowed.
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