Where does the Big Dog's Backyard Ultra take place?

The Big Dog's Backyard Ultra takes place in Bell Buckle, United States.

When is the next Big Dog's Backyard Ultra?

The next Big Dog's Backyard Ultra is scheduled for October 17, 2026.

What is the Big Dog's Backyard Ultra course record?

The men's course record is 114:00:00, set by Phil Gore in 2025.

Who holds the women's Big Dog's Backyard Ultra course record?

The women's course record is 95:00:00, set by Sarah Perry in 2025.

Big Dog's Backyard Ultra

Next Race

October 17, 2026

170

days to go

Gary 'Lazarus Lake' Cantrell's farm in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, is where the sport began — and where it's decided. A 4.1667-mile loop runs by day through wooded trail on Laz's property, switches to paved road after dark. Phil Gore's 114-loop win in 2025 is the course record. Every odd year it's the Individual World Championship; every even year, the Team World Championship.

Est.

2012

Course

Multi-loop

Surface

Trail

Field Size

~75

When

October

Loop: 4.1667 mi / 6.7056 km

THE COURSE

MI 0

KM 0

Start/Finish Camp

Runners depart from the central camp on Gary Cantrell's property in Bell Buckle each hour. Aid is available between loops, giving competitors a brief window to eat, rest, and prepare before the next yard begins.

MI 0.5

KM 0.8

Trail Entry

Shortly after leaving camp, the course enters Tennessee woodland single-track through mixed hardwood forest. The natural terrain reflects the rolling countryside surrounding the Bell Buckle property.

MI 1.2

KM 1.9

Main Climb

The loop's primary steep uphill section demands significant effort on every yard completed. Repeated dozens of times across the race's duration, this climb cumulatively accounts for most of the elevation gain and becomes a defining mental and physical test.

MI 2.5

KM 4

Back Half Trail

After the high point, the course winds through mixed forest and open trail on the return leg. Competitors often conserve energy here to ensure they complete each loop well within the one-hour time limit.

MI 4.2

KM 6.7

Timing Mat

The hourly timing mat at the finish marks the official end of each yard. Runners must cross before the starting horn sounds; missing the cutoff by even a few seconds ends the race regardless of position on the course.