Cottonwood Countdown

The Cottonwood Countdown begins with a horn at 9:00 AM on a Saturday at Cottonwood Lake Regional Park, near Nelson, British Columbia. The Nelson Running Club organizes this Backyard Ultra, where participants run a 6.7 km loop each hour. The race continues until only one runner remains. Each lap must be completed within the hour, with any remaining time available for breaks, food, stretching, changing clothes, or resting before the next start. Failing to finish within the hour or choosing not to start the subsequent loop results in a DNF. The course follows a compact gravel rail trail alongside Cottonwood Lake, passing through forest and mountain meadow. This short loop proves challenging as the hours accumulate. The participants can range from beginners and club runners to experienced ultrarunners, as the initial pace is manageable, but the format gradually becomes a test of endurance, sleep deprivation, weather conditions, fueling, and mental fortitude. The event typically attracts about ninety-five runners, encourages costumes, and has proceeded even in cold rain. Past winners have run for over 24 hours, with top performances ranging from 26 to 31 hours, covering approximately 174 to 208 km.