Empower Backyard Ultra
DATE: November 8, 2025
PLACE: Countryside YMCA, Lebanon, Ohio
CAPACITY: 150 runners across 3 events (traditional backyard, plus our new 12 hour and 24 hour backyards)
PRICE: $160 for traditional and 24 Hour backyard / $130 for 12 Hour Backyard (until 8/1/2025 - after that $175/$150 until 9/1/2025 and $195/$170 after))
To gain entry into Big’s Backyard Ultra runners must complete enough yards to earn one of the at large spots. These spots are awarded to the top runners from around the world for the World individual championship (odd years), and the top USA runners for the World team Championship (even years).
Course
DAY: The race takes place on beautiful and very runnable trails on Countryside YMCA property. Fairly smooth, wooded trails, with small elevation change. There are some roots and rocks on the trails, and the weather can play a role in trail conditions (mud). The course will be 4.1667 miles, wheeled and measured with GPS watches. The trails are accessible to YMCA members and the community. Detailed course map and Strava data coming soon!
NIGHT: The course is out and back (2.08 out and 2.08 back) run on Lebanon bike path. There are no road crossings and no car traffic on the bike path, making it an ideal, safe place for night running. The night course passes through residential areas (some properties back up to the Lebanon Bikepath). Please be respectful of private properties and keep your voices down passing through the area at night. No loud music etc to be played on the bike path. There is a gradual downhill and uphill on the bike path but no steep hills.
SUNRISE: 7:14 AM
SUNSET: 5:27 PM
DAY COURSE: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (9 yards)
NIGHT COURSE 5:00 PM – 8:00 AM (15 yards)
Swag deadline
Please register by 10/4 to guarantee your EBU swag
NEW in 2025 - 12 Hour and 24 Hour Backyard Options
Don't want to run for days but want to get the taste of backyard ultra? Sign up for our 12 Hour (50 miles) and 24 Hour (100 miles) backyards with fixed end.
Must complete all 12 loops (50 miles) under the backyard rules to be 12 Hour Backyard finisher - otherwise it is a DNF
Must complete 24 loops (100 miles) under the backyard rules to be 24 Hour Backyard finisher - otherwise it is a DNF.
ATTENTION BACKYARD 24-HOUR RUNNERS: This is one of the best opportunities to run a sub-24 hour hundred mile (well over 2,000 athletes have accomplished just that in the backyard format, in only the last 9 months!). AND that accomplishment will earn you a nice certificate and world ranking from Backyard Ultra!!!
Rules
Empower Backyard Ultra is a Lazarus Lake sanctioned event. Every hour runners will line up to run the 4.1667 mile course (“yard”) until there is only one runner standing. The race will start at 8:00 am on November 8th. Every hour runners will run the trails of Countryside YMCA, starting their loops at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, etc. until 4:00 pm when the last day loop will start. After 5:00 pm runners will run the night course (Lebanon Bikepath) every hour starting at 5:00 pm, then 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, all the way until 7:00 am (last night loop) or until there are no runners remaining.
RULES :
Runners must be standing in the starting corral when the bell rings and the next race starts, or they may not continue.
Runners will also not continue if they choose to stop (drop from the race).
No late starts once the bell is rung.
Races will continue until only one runner remains, and at that point, once that person completes a loop on their own, that runner is the winner.
All other runners are considered DNF.
At 3 minutes till each race 3 whistles will be blown.
At 2 minutes till each race 2 whistles will be blown.
At 1 minute till each race 1 whistle will be blown.
At 30 seconds till each race an announcement is made.
At 10 seconds till each race a countdown will begin.
Once the bell is rung, runners may not visit their crew, their tent, their vehicle or receive aid from anyone.
Runners must stay on the course once the bell is rung.
The only reason for leaving the course once the bell is rung is to use the bathroom.
Once you finish your loop you may choose to do what you want, but must be back in the starting corral before the bell rings.
Runners will need to provide their own aid.
Crews are permitted but limited to just three crew members per runner at a time. Crews may leave and come back if needed.
There will be a space next to the start and finish line to set up a chair, cooler, and other small personal items.
A staging area will be close by where you may set up a tent.
Any runner that DNF’s must immediately vacate their spot close to the finish line to allow surviving runners to move closer. DNF runners are welcome to continue spectating. Swag will be provided to all entrants.
Alcohol is NOT permitted.
Water, coffee, and (non-caffeinated) Tailwind will be provided.
About Our Hosts
COUNTRYSIDE YMCA
Second largest YMCA’s in the world located in beautiful Lebanon, Ohio, only 30 minutes from Cincinnati and Dayton. Countryside YMCA programs are part of their mission to create a strong, vital, and caring community. When you think of the Y, you might first think of exercising or swimming. But the Y offers so much more. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that help build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The money given to our Annual Campaign through individual donations and corporate partnerships is used to provide outreach programs for our community. https://countrysideymca.org/about-us/annual-campaign/support-us.html
CITY OF LEBANON / LEBANON BIKE PATH: the bike path is adjacent to YMCA grounds and offers a beautiful, wide paved path that passes through residential areas.
The City of Lebanon offers many amenities: there are several restaurants near the course, a beautiful old town area, several grocery stores, hotels, medical services (Bethesda North and Kettering Hospital emergency branches) . https://www.lebanonohio.gov/visitors/lebanon_charm/index.php
About Empower Ultras
Empower Ultras was founded by Aneta (Nettie) Zeppettella and Jennifer Russo, who met through ultrarunning and over years gained a ton of experience finishing some of the hardest ultras on the East Coast and beyond. Jennifer has extensive backyard experience and has competed at Big's several times, her current PR is 76 yards (316 miles). We both want to empower you to try to push your limits and create your new adventures. Please join us. We will cheer for you with our whole hearts!
Event's current local time: 6:36 AM ET
