"Hee-haw!"
Originally created in 2023 as a fatass event, B.A.B.U. is a collaboration between Skybreaker Racing and Auburn Area Trail Runners. This backyard ultra takes place at Dry Creek Parkway, in Sacramento, California.
In the traditional style, runners will have one hour to complete each 4.16 mile loop. Each new yard (loop) will begin every hour, on the hour. If a runner is not in the start corral, ready to begin the next yard, on the hour mark, they're out. The runner who completes the most yards wins.
New: B.A.B.U. is now officially an affiliated Backyard event. This means that as a runner of this event you will be eligible to earn a spot on a National Team for the Satellite Team Championships and the World Individual Championships at Big’s Backyard in Tennessee! You can now find our event listed on BackyardUltra.com.
Details
When: Tentatively 9:00 am, March 22nd, 2025
Where: Dry Creek Parkway, Rio Linda, CA
Yard Stats: 4.16 miles | 30 ft of elevation gain
Where
Parking/Start/Finish/Pit Location:
Dry Creek Bike Trail parking lot, Dry Creek Rd, Rio Linda, CA.
Pitting & Aid
We will be utilizing the field just northwest of the main parking lot for the start/finish/pitting area.
We will offer a limited supply of electrolytes, gels/chews, and all of the other typical aid station stacks.
Tents will be allowed for close-proximity pitting, however these will be set back a bit from the starting corral. In general, minimizing the amount of space you'll require for pitting will likely get you closer to the corral (exact layout TBD).
Course Data
Course Maps & Elevation Profiles
(For CalTopo elevation profile, select route line on map > select Profile.)
Strava CalTopo
AllTrails GPX download
Swag
Runners will receive unique event t-shirts (if ordered during registration).
The winner (assuming there is one) will receive a special award.
Volunteer
We'll need a small handful of volunteers to make this happen. Check out the Volunteer page.
Rules
- Warnings will be given 3, 2, and 1 minute(s) prior to the start of each yard/loop.
- Participants must be in the starting corral at the "bell."
- All participants must start at the "bell" (no late starts).
- Except for restrooms, competitor may not leave the course until each loop is completed .
- No non-participants on the course (including eliminated runners) .
- Runners are allowed no assistance/aid after the "bell" rings, until they complete the yard.
- Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted, including the final lap.
- No artificial aids (including trekking poles) .
- Slower runners must allow passing.
- The winner is the last person to complete a loop . All others are technically DNF's.
- If no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.
Please Support Our Partners!
Contact
Ben Mitchell
Lead Race Director
ben@skybreakerracing.com
Jeremy Payne
Assistant Race Director
& Volunteer Coordinator
skybreakervc@gmail.com