Last year, something special happened in Burns Park, North Little Rock. Forty high school and open division runners gathered for the first High School Ultramarathon National Championship, a backyard ultra format race that pushed them to their limits. To call this gathering a mere running event doesn’t do it justice. It was about grit, discipline, and discovering what a person is truly capable of. And together, we raised $10,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Now, I’m bringing it back.
If you’ve never heard of a backyard ultra, buckle up. This isn’t your typical 5K or even a standard marathon. In this backyard ultra, runners complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour on the hour until only one person remains. Last year’s winners? Three laps for the women’s divisions and 10 laps for the men’s divisions. That’s 10 hours of running for those keeping track.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Epopeo’s 2026 race. Whether you’re a seasoned ultra runner or a high schooler curious about pushing your mental and physical boundaries, this race offers something you won’t find anywhere else: a chance to compete with other young athletes in a format that tests your mental strength as much as your physical endurance.
Table of Contents
- Where and When Will the Race Take Place?
- What Is the Race Format?
- Who Can Participate?
- How Much Does It Cost to Register?
- What Will Be Provided at the Race?
- Are There Prizes for Finishers?
- What About Safety and Medical Support?
- Can Spectators Watch?
- What Happens If There’s Bad Weather?
- How Far Did People Travel Last Year?
- What About Donations to Charity?
- What Else Should I Know?
- Why Host a High School Ultramarathon?
Where and When Will the Race Take Place?
The race will be held at Burns Park Field 3 parking lot in North Little Rock. The address is 1 Soccer Avenue, North Little Rock, Arkansas. The tent and start/finish line will be next to the restroom building.
Key Details:
- Date: March 14th, 2026 (and March 15th if it extends into the second day)
- Start Time: 8:00 a.m. sharp
- Format: Loops start every hour on the hour (9:00, 10:00, etc.)
- Check-in: Saturday morning from 6:00 to 7:30 a.m.
What Is the Race Format?
This ultra-marathon is based on a racing format designed by racing mastermind “Lazarus Lake.” I can take no credit for this incredibly beautiful yet psychologically challenging design. This will be understood more by my high school or recently graduated audience, but it is scarily similar to the FitnessGram PACER Test, just an ultramarathon version.
Each loop (or yard, as they call it) is 4.167 miles. Each loop begins at the top of the hour, each hour. This precise distance is used so that if you complete one loop every hour for 24 hours, you will have run 100 miles.
This allows for some time in between loops, though, and an additional layer of strategy. You could complete a loop in 40 minutes and give yourself 20 minutes of rest, or you could run slower, come in at 58 minutes and head back out for another loop with little rest. All of this plays into an interesting storm running, timing, and rest.
The race ends when the last runner completes one full loop more than the second-to-last runner. This is how you win. If not, one runner can complete one more loop than the other; there are no winners.
Because we have four divisions, there needs to be some clarification. To win, you have to complete one more full loop than the second-to-last remaining runner in your division. However, you can continue running to compete against the other divisions to become the overall Champion.
Last year, the women’s winners (both in the high school and open divisions) completed three laps each. The men’s winners (both in the high school and open divisions) completed 10 laps each. There was no overall Champion because both men’s runners tied.
Who Can Participate?
We have two divisions.
Divisions:
- High School Division: Anyone who is enrolled in a high school or anyone under the age of 18. We do allow special cases for runners not yet in high school. This highlights the opportunity for high school students to compete against one another in their own ultra-running division.
- Open Division: Anyone 18+ or a high school graduate.
Last year, about 50 people participated. The split was pretty even, with about 25 in high school and 25 in the open division runners.
How Much Does It Cost to Register?
This year it will be $72. I chose $72 because I like the number 2. Last year was $100, but I want to make it more accessible and avoid scaring prospects off with a high price tag. Races like this generally come in at around $100, but I also know that this isn’t a huge production. You will be happy to know that all proceeds and donations will be given to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Registration Details:
- Cost: $72
- Registration is open now!
- Financial assistance available: Email ben@epopeo.net if cost is a concern
What Will Be Provided at the Race?
We will have water. I know, exciting. Don’t worry, we will also have a Gatorade powder to mix with water. Make sure to bring your own cups; however, this is a cupless event.
In the food department, we will have plenty of comfort snacks to get you through the day. Last year, we had Pretzels, potato chips, gummy bears, and Oreos that we all enjoyed. Later in the race, we also ordered pizza after a special request. So, if you make it far enough, look forward to a special delivery (as long as it’s nothing too crazy).
What We Provide:
- Water and Gatorade powder mix (bring your own cups)
- Salty and sweet snacks
Are There Prizes for Finishers?
Technically, there is only one winner per division. That’s the name of the game. Every other runner in the backyard format qualifies as a DNF.
However, since we appreciate the effort of taking on this challenge and we believe it is good for everyone to take home a physical memory of the race, we hand out a dog tag. When you meet the end and call it quits, you grab a dog tag and write the number of laps you completed on it.
Everyone also gets a race shirt when they sign up (as long as they sign up before March 1st, 2026). As a cool, personally meaningful bonus, the design was hand-drawn by my grandmother. I hope you enjoy!
But even if you DNF, you still get something. We give everyone a dog tag chain with the race name on one tag. The other tag has space for you to Sharpie in however many laps you completed. Everyone gets one, including the winner. Plus, everyone who signs up gets a shirt. My grandmother made the design.
What You Get:
- Race shirt (designed by my grandmother)
- Dog tag with race name and space to write your lap count
- The satisfaction of pushing your limits (yay!)
What About Safety and Medical Support?
The loop has a few road crossings. They’re not big roads, but roads nonetheless. We station volunteers at those crossings with cones set up. While runners are responsible for watching for traffic, we have people there helping.
Last year, we had a few doctors volunteering, and we will have the same setup this year as well. We’ll also have a basic first aid kit on site. If something really goes wrong, we’ll call 911.
We also work with a sheriff who will come out to keep the gate open at Burns Park if the race goes into the night, provided they abide by the park’s rules.
The City of North Little Rock covers this as an official event. All participants must sign a liability waiver.
Safety Measures:
- Volunteers stationed at road crossings with cones
- Doctor volunteers on-site
- First aid kit available
- 911 access for emergencies
- Sheriff support for overnight gate access
- Official event sanctioned by the City of North Little Rock
- Liability waiver required for all participants
Can Spectators Watch?
Yes and no. No support is allowed when runners are out on the loop. No encouragement, food, or water. Runners must be completely self-sufficient on the course.
However, spectators are welcome at the start and finish line. That’s where the aid station and tents are set up. That’s where people can hang out, watch, and cheer you on.
Bring your own chairs, coolers, tents, cups, and supplies. We’ll have water and snacks, but don’t rely on us entirely. Work out of the back of your car or bring a tent and a lounge chair. Whatever works for you.
This isn’t a big production event. We’re a family-owned, run-centered operation. That means we are here for you: anything you need or if you forget something, we can help. Just email with questions, and we’ll work it out.
Spectator Guidelines:
- Spectators welcome at the start/finish line and aid station area
- No support allowed on the loop itself (runners must be self-sufficient)
- Bring your own: chairs, coolers, tents, cups, food, and supplies
- Set up at your car or bring a tent
- Questions? Email ben@epopeo.net
What Happens If There’s Bad Weather?
We have a no-refund policy for weather. If you sign up, you’re committed regardless of weather conditions.
That said, if you have an individual circumstance (like a funeral or emergency), email me. We can figure something out on a case-by-case basis.
We’re running this race rain or shine. We’ll communicate updates to everyone about the race-day course and weather conditions.
Weather Policy:
- Rain or shine, we’re running
- No refunds for weather-related cancellations
- Individual circumstances (emergencies, etc.): Email ben@epo.net to discuss
- Updates will be communicated to all registrants
How Far Did People Travel for the Race Last Year?
Last year, I was filled with joy to see that my race had reached all the way to Memphis. He was a high school cross-country coach who heard about this race from a friend of a friend. It was super rewarding to have created this new connection in Memphis just over a race.
What About Donations to Charity?
Last year, we donated $10,000 to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. It was truly incredible. I knew donating money was a benevolent act, but I did not expect to be as overjoyed as I was when I signed that check.
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because of its youth alignment. I felt this matched up very well with my race and its focus on youth participation. This hospital specifically is a big part of the State, and I could think of no better spot to donate, especially since I have been there a few times myself, though only with minor injuries.
In addition to offering optional donations, I originally planned to donate a percentage of profits to Children’s. However, after seeing all the money that generous donors contributed, I decided to do my part and donate all proceeds to Children’s. This year, we are doing the same thing.
All of the money went to the Child Life program. It is a program that funds education, special visitors, discharge parties, play sessions, and therapy. The example that stood out to me above the rest was a prom given to children who couldn’t attend their own. I thought that was really sweet and something I didn’t consider.
I especially want to thank the generous donors, most of whom were anonymous. The proceeds from the race were only a fraction of the total amount donated.
Charitable Giving:
- 100% of race proceeds go to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Specifically supports the Child Life program
- Optional additional donations accepted during registration
- Last year: $10,000 raised for Children’s
What Else Should I Know?
When you sign up, you’ll be added to an email chain. You’ll get updates as we get closer to race day. We’ll also share a Google Photos album. If you have any pictures from the race, we’ll take those. And yeah, enjoy it. Tell your friends. There is a $20 refund for referring five friends, so there is some incentive to share.
This year, I’ll only be directing the race. I won’t be participating. My favorite part last year was seeing my friends come out and impress themselves. Some friends even surprised me with how far they went, and I was proud, at the very least. Being with the people and watching the crowd thin as the day got later was rewarding.
There’s this energy to it. Setting everything up in the early morning with fog still around Burns Park. Watching people pull in. The excitement in the air. Having everybody gather around for the first send-off. Then each hour after that, watching people knock off laps and crush their goals. Watching everyone drop until, just like that, we packed up, went home, and the first High School Ultramarathon National Championship was complete.
Additional Information:
- Email updates: All registrants will receive race updates via email
- Photo sharing: Google Photos album available for participants to share race photos
- Social media: epopeo_events
- Contact: ben@epopeo.net for any questions
Why Host a High School Ultramarathon?
The main purpose is to offer an ultramarathon that high schoolers can compete in with other high schoolers. A national high school ultramarathon. There are no current high school divisions in most ultramarathons, so I decided it would be cool to create one specifically for high schoolers.
The first year was a huge success, beyond rewarding, and such a great project to start. This next year and the years to come, I want to continue hosting the event, building hype, and developing a name behind it. I want to give high schoolers this life-changing opportunity to learn more about themselves and push harder than they imagined through this race. It’s niche, yes, but there are high schoolers out there, just like me, who have been forged by this. I can also say that I have spent many nights wondering if there are others out there like me. This is like my message to them, calling across the nation to bring these adventures, daring teenagers together.