Race Story

The Backyard Ultra of Northern Utah:

2025 - The Backyard Ultra of Northern Utah is established as a premier backyard ultra in Utah. After searching for the perfect course to hold a backyard ultra in the state of Utah, we remembered biking around Mantua Reservoir back in our college days at Utah State University. When we pulled up the Mantua Reservoir Trail on our phones, you can imagine our astonishment when the trail length displayed showed exactly 4.1 miles.

2026 - 91 participants toed the start line on one of the rainiest days of 2026. It poured from setup in the dark until late in the afternoon on day one. The runners showed grit and determination with 9 runners making it to the 100 mile-24 hour mark. The assist going to Melissa Soper at mile 116.67. The win going to John Kingsbury at mile 120.83, setting the first course record.