Airdrie Backyard Ultra 2026

This page is kept as a past race archive for the Jul 17, 2026 edition in Airdrie, Alberta. Use the links below to find upcoming races in the same area or distance category. You can also browse the 2026 race calendar.

The Airdrie Backyard Ultra debuts on July 17, 2026 in Airdrie, Alberta. This inaugural event brings the backyard ultra format to the city and runs with local support and a partnership with Skyline Run Coaching. Organizers position the race as a community-forward endurance test that draws runners from Calgary and across the prairies.

Competitors run a fixed 6.706 km (4.167 mile) loop every hour on the hour, starting at 9:00 a.m. Each loop must be completed within 60 minutes; any remaining minutes can be used for rest and refuelling before the next bell. The event continues, loop after loop, until one runner completes a yard alone — that runner is the winner and all others are recorded by the number of yards they completed.

What sets Airdrie’s Backyard apart is its stadium setting and festival atmosphere. Every loop starts and finishes on the Ed Eggerer track so spectators in the grandstands get a close-up view, and the course follows paved pathways around East Lake and through neighbourhood streets. Genesis Place sits steps from the infield, providing washrooms, water and crew amenities, and the track lights turn the stadium into a bright focal point for night-time laps. Registration includes event swag and a custom race shirt, and an aid station is available at the start/finish area.

Registration opened in November 2025 and spots are limited; early entry is recommended for runners planning to take on the unique Backyard Ultra challenge.

• Start/finish at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park track; laps begin and end on the stadium track
• Surface: smooth track for start/finish, then paved pathways and neighbourhood streets around East Lake
• Key landmark: scenic out-and-back along East Lake with community-lined residential sections
• Stadium lights illuminate the track for night-time laps; grandstands provide spectator viewing
• Genesis Place adjacent to the infield offers washrooms, water access and nearby free parking

• Stadium start/finish: Every loop begins and ends on the Ed Eggerer track with grandstand viewing for spectators.
• Consistent loop length: Fixed 6.706 km (4.167 mile) loop run every hour — finish within 60 minutes or you don’t move on.
• Night-time racing under lights: Field lights keep the track lit for laps that stretch into the evening and overnight.
• Crew access & amenities: Crews can use the designated infield area and Genesis Place offers washrooms and nearby parking.
• Included race shirt and swag: Registration includes a custom Airdrie Backyard Ultra race shirt and event giveaways.
• Start/finish aid station: Water, electrolytes and snacks available at the start/finish area for each loop.