Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra is a 100-mile ultra running event held in Gwinn, Michigan on October 10, 2026. The race starts at 9:00 AM at Anderson Lake West State Forest Campground. With an entry fee of $75.00, this event offers ultramarathon runners a chance to test their endurance over an extended distance. The backyard ultra format keeps competitors running laps in and around the campground setting, making it accessible for support crews and allowing athletes to return to a central hub between loops. If you're traveling to Gwinn for this race, you'll want accommodation within reasonable driving distance of Anderson Lake West State Forest Campground to maximize rest time before the early morning start.
From the Race Organizer
Welcome to the 2nd annual Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra. This is a 24-hour capped backyard ultra. Join us for a fun-filled day (and night) of running and camaraderie. We can’t say enough that this race is for just about everybody. This isn’t your typical ultra-marathon. We emphasize doing your best, rather than strict competition. Runners will run one 4.167-mile loop every hour, on the hour, for up to 24 hours. As long as you can make it back to basecamp and the start corral before the next hour, you’ll get to do another loop. The goal is to have fun, enjoy the company of fellow runners, and push yourself as far as you’d like. IMPORTANT UPDATE We will be shuttling all participants and spectators from the Up North Lodge Event Center parking lot during the day of the race. No parking will be available on site this year. We will have a shuttle schedule available closer to the day of the event. Basecamp Vibes ● Come prepared to get comfy! Bring fun games, tasty food, and your favorite camping chair to hang out in between loops. We’ll provide good company and a supportive atmosphere. ● No open fires are allowed at basecamp. ● If you bring pets, they must remain leashed per State of Michigan guidelines. All Abilities Welcome Forget the leaderboard. Whether you’re here to conquer one lap or gut out all 24, this is your challenge at your pace. The goal is simple: get outside, soak up the woods, and hang out with some fun folks. From seasoned ultra-vets aiming for the full 100 miles to newcomers tackling their very first lap (a breezy 5K-ish), there’s a spot for you here. Come for the adventure and stay for the vibes. Share th e Trail The trails that we are using will be open to other trail users during the event. Please treat everybody with respect. If you catch up to a hiker: smile, wave, and wish them a great day! Important Dates and Times Race Start: 9:00 AM, Saturday October 10 Race Finish: 9:00 AM, Sunday October 11 Runner Cap: 65 Runners Early Packet Pickup: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, October 9th at The Up North Lodge in Gwinn (Address: 215 S County Road 557, Gwinn, MI 49841) Race Day Packet Pickup: 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Saturday October 10th at basecamp/starting area. Rules. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS THIS IS NOT A 100% TRADITIONAL BACKYARD ULTRA. FAILURE TO FOLLOW RULES MAY RESULT IN A DNF OR DISQUALIFICATION. ● The Anderson Lake Backyard Ultra, is a 24 hour event. This means that there will be 24 loops in total. ● Course: A marked loop of 4.167 miles (6.706 km). ● Start: Race begins at 9:00 AM. Each loop begins exactly one hour after the last. If you are not in the starting corral for the initial start, you are disqualified. You won’t even get one of our sweet wooden medals, so please be there. ● Time Limit: Runners must complete the loop and be back at the starting corral within the hour in order to continue. Each loop starts every hour, on the hour. 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, etc. If a runner fails to start or finish a loop within the hour, they are out of the race (Did Not Finish). ● Starting Corral: Runners must be in the designated starting corral at the bell. Runners not in the corral when the bell rings are done. ● No Lateness: There are no late starts. ● No Early Starts: You must wait for the starting bell to begin each loop, every hour on the hour. If you finish your loop in 40 minutes, that’s great. You have 19 minutes to hang out at basecamp, eat, recover, and have fun. ● No Leaving the Course: Except for restroom breaks, runners cannot leave the course during a loop. ● No pacers. ● Personal Aid: You may not stage personal aid, or have people providing you with personal aid out on the course. You may have as much personal aid at basecamp that you can fit in your provided 10'x10' area. Please carry enough water and calories to be able to run the entire loop, as we may not have aid stations on course this year. ● Slower runners must allow passes. ● A headlamp is required from the 7:00 PM lap onward. There is no lighting on this course, and you will be in the woods, in the dark. Failure to use a headlamp beginning with the 7:00 PM lap will disqualify runners. We strongly recommend a backup source of light as well. Winning ● One More Lap: The winner completes one final lap, alone, after the second to last runner drops out. If a runner fails to do an additional lap solo, we have no winner except in the following scenario. ● FINAL LAP: If multiple runners begin the 24th and final lap, the race is on. The first person to finish the 24th lap within the one hour time limit is our winner. All other runners who finish lap 24 within the one hour time limit are also considered finishers, you just don’t win the sweet orange Stormy Kromer as we will only have one of those for the top dog. Where Anderson Lake Campground and the Anderson Lake Pathway sits about 5 miles southwest of Gwinn. The campground road entrance and trailhead is on County Road 577. ● Here is a link for campground information on the Michigan DNR website:
