Inaugral Race Archive

The Natural State Backyard Ultra made history in March 2025 as the first ultramarathon in the United States with a dedicated high school division. Forty runners competed at Burns Park in North Little Rock, pushing themselves loop after loop until only one remained standing in each division.

Race Results

• Men’s Division: 10 loops (41.67 miles)
• Women’s Open: 5 loops (20.84 miles)
• Women’s High School: 3 loops each (12.5 miles)

Ultra Race Recap

• Runners completed 4.167-mile loops every hour on the hour until one runner outlasted all others in their division. The community showed up. Parents volunteered at road crossings. Coaches brought their teams.
• What started in early morning fog became a ten-hour test of endurance and willpower.
• $10,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital
• All proceeds went to Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Child Life program, which organizes birthday parties, proms for hospitalized teens, and activities that bring joy to children facing medical challenges.

A National Championship for High School Ultrarunners

Most ultramarathons don’t offer high school divisions. The Natural State Backyard Ultra created that space, giving high school athletes their own national championship.

The 2026 race is on March 14th. Registration is open now.