Moonshine Backyard Ultra

The Moonshine Backyard Ultra begins with a horn at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at Cottonwood Lake Regional Park, located about 10 minutes south of Nelson on Highway 6. It uses the Backyard Ultra format established by Lazarus Lake, the founder of the Barkley Marathons. Runners complete a 6.7 km lap each hour until a single participant remains. Finishing a lap early allows for rest, food, stretching, or gear adjustments; failing to start the next lap on time results in a DNF. The setup is basic, providing porta-potties, water, and essential supplies at the start/finish area, encouraging runners to bring their own crew and support if desired. The course is a straightforward out-and-back along the rail trail, consisting of 3.35 km out and 3.35 km back on compacted gravel and dirt. The path is shaded by mature trees alongside Cottonwood Lake for much of its length, with a more open meadow section near the turnaround point. This design makes the loop simple yet visually varied. The format ensures all participants start each hour together, fostering competition without the intensity of a typical head-to-head trail race. Backyard Ultras typically last 18 to 24 hours, with this event having previously extended to 31 hours. The route also carries a unique local story: a family of grizzly bears once necessitated a course change, leading to the adoption of the current Cottonwood Lake route.