Elm Creek Backyard Ultra

Elm Creek Backyard Ultra The Elm Creek Backyard Ultra is the first ‘Backyard’ event kicked off in the Twin Cities.

Inspired by the original Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra presented by Lazarus Lake, the Elm Creek Backyard will follow in its spirit.

Meet Matthew Moser. St. Paul, MN. 25 loops. Solo crew. Mountain Dew sommelier. 🍋💚Matthew checks ultrarunning.com's event...
05/29/2026

Meet Matthew Moser. St. Paul, MN. 25 loops. Solo crew. Mountain Dew sommelier. 🍋💚

Matthew checks ultrarunning.com's event schedule almost every day. That's how you know he's serious — and that's how he found Elm Creek.

He didn't make any promises coming in, but figured 100 miles was doable if he could dodge the blisters and stomach issues that had haunted him in past races. Around hour 20, still holding down Mountain Dew and still in decent shape from the ankles down, he had a quiet realization: I owe it to myself to go at least 25 hours.

So he did.

Loop 15 threw a scare — a small blister forming, that sinking "here we go again" feeling setting in. Safety pin. Fresh socks. No problems thereafter. Crisis averted, methodically. That's Matthew's whole vibe.
He came out here completely alone. No crew. No pacer. Just brownies, granola bars, and fruit snacks for the first 20 laps, then strictly Mountain Dew to the finish line. (His gut does not negotiate with savory food during a race. It's a firm boundary.) 50-minute laps left him just enough time to eat, use the porta potty, and tend to his feet. Textbook.

His mid-race soundtrack? You Dropped a Bomb on Me — stuck in his head for an undisclosed number of loops. He also took a wrong turn in the middle of the night after the grassy hill climb. The course, if it could talk, would simply say: Pay attention to the flags. He knows.

Highs and lows? "I just feel a steady state of mild apathy doing these things." Honestly, respect.

What did he learn about himself out there? "With the right combination of psychiatric medication, it's possible to not have your gut fail you by the 100K mark." Matthew does not need your hype. He's got this.

Post-race meal: Costco brand breaded boneless chicken chunks. An extra helping. Earned.

Next up: Coalfields Backyard Ultra in West Virginia, Old Tom Backyard Ultra in Manitoba, and the Loopy Looper 100 miler in New Jersey. Barring a torn ACL or job relocation, he'll be back at Elm Creek in 2027.
We'll be watching for you on the event calendar, Matthew. 📅

🎤

Meet Mike & Caleb Wallin. Dayton, MN. Father & Son. 100 miles & 62.5 miles. The Wallin family has been part of Elm Creek...
05/26/2026

Meet Mike & Caleb Wallin. Dayton, MN.

Father & Son. 100 miles & 62.5 miles.

The Wallin family has been part of Elm Creek since nearly the beginning. Ducky and Mike volunteered year one. Mike ran year two. Then he turned to his son Caleb and said — you should do this with me.
They live just north of Elm Creek Park Reserve. This really is a backyard race in their backyard.

Mike came in hoping to hit 100 miles for the fourth time. Caleb came in with a goal of 100k — maybe a little more. Both got exactly what they came for.
They ran most loops side by side or within yelling distance. They talked constantly. About everything and nothing. A raccoon. Ni**le chaffing prevention — allegedly discussed before the race. The important stuff. 😂

They were both told to slow down early because they were going too fast. They did not slow down.
Mike's pacing plan was to be more conservative this year. The first loops felt good. He kept going. Some lessons have to be learned more than once.

Caleb's mantra near mile 50 when the motivation disappeared? "Only one more loop. Then just another one. And another." It worked.

Mike's highest moment of the entire weekend was watching Caleb hit his 100k mark, decide he wanted to run it in, then decide he wanted to run it in hard. A dad watching his kid dig deeper than they planned — that's not something you forget.

Three words for Mike's loop 24? Blister popping time. Caleb's last loop? Woe is me.

What did Mike learn about Caleb out there? "He's crazy." What did Caleb learn about his dad? "He's crazy."

Sounds about right.

2027? Both of them. No hesitation.

|

Meet Drew Boe. Taopi, MN. 24 loops. 100 miles. First ultra. Ever. Drew found Elm Creek on Google. He'd never done an ult...
05/22/2026

Meet Drew Boe. Taopi, MN. 24 loops. 100 miles.

First ultra. Ever.

Drew found Elm Creek on Google. He'd never done an ultra before but was intrigued by the backyard format. 100 miles was a stretch goal.

Loop 20 nearly ended everything. He went looking for a bathroom at the chalet, couldn't find it, wasted precious time and energy, and emerged to find not another runner in sight. He started walking and called his wife to let her know he was probably done.
Two things changed his mind.

His wife's encouragement and prayers. And the fact that McDonald's lunch menu wouldn't be available for a few more hours and he might as well keep going. 🍔

He kept going.

By loop 21 the confidence was back. Loops 21-24 were his highest moments of the entire weekend.

Loop 24 in three words? Relief. Thrilling. Joyful.

His crew was everything — wife, daughter, siblings, parents, co-workers, neighbors, all of them out there at some point. The thing that kept him going most? Hearing his daughter say "da da" at the end of every loop. Monster cookies, puppy chow, fist bumps, and a lot of prayer didn't hurt either.

Most random 3am thought? Regretting his wife's podcast recommendation — Blurry Creatures — while running alone through pitch black woods. 😂

What did the Elm Creek course say to him? "Descend at your own risk."

When it was over he went straight to McDonald's.

Obviously.

What did he learn about himself? "I can do an ultra."

Welcome to the 100 Mile Club, Drew.

🤍

Meet Barbara Powell. Minneapolis, MN. 12 loops. Backyard Princess. 👑Barbara ran her first Elm Creek two years ago. She'd...
05/21/2026

Meet Barbara Powell. Minneapolis, MN. 12 loops.

Backyard Princess. 👑

Barbara ran her first Elm Creek two years ago. She'd just completed her first 100 miler and was looking for a new kind of challenge without having to travel far. She fell in love with the format and had to come back.

This year she came back returning from a knee injury after her second Leadville 100. She needed a race that would rebuild her confidence and lift her spirits.

Mission accomplished.

Loop 4 brought a heat headache she had to problem solve her way through with electrolytes and salt tabs and a lot of forehead rubbing. Once it cleared she knew she was in for a good day.

Loop 11 was another story. It was 11pm, well past her normal bedtime, she was running alone, and she texted her partner that she wasn't sure she'd make it. He texted back — take your time, we'll all be here waiting. She got to thinking how much she'd hate for that loop not to count. She sucked it up and ran it in. Made it back at the final whistle with no time to even think about stopping.

Loop 12 in three words? Owl-y. Owie. Ouchie. 🦉

Her crew — running friend Skye, coach Jaci, partner Chris, and dear friend Hallie — made her feel like a Backyard Princess all day. Best moment of the weekend? A fellow runner showed up with a copy of her book and asked her to sign it. "I felt like a real author."

Her unexpected trail companions on loops 10 and 11? The owls. Hooting in the dark. She decided they were cheering her on. They were.

What did she learn about herself out there? "I knew it but these races always confirm it: I am so loved. No matter how I perform, I am worthy of love."

When it was over she finished off her California roll and downed a Skratch recovery drink.

Next up: Blacks Grove Backyard on 5/22.

2027? You betcha. 👑



What Elm Creek MeansScott trains at Elm Creek year round. He knows the trails the way you know a place that has shaped y...
05/19/2026

What Elm Creek Means

Scott trains at Elm Creek year round. He knows the trails the way you know a place that has shaped you. But he also knows what this community becomes once a year when the tents go up and the whistles start and the sour patch kids appear in everyone's pockets.

"Running isn't always about running. For me, sometimes it's never about it. Events like this create connection. To people, to ideas, to oneself. We become an ultra squatter community and we exist outside the world. Even if you run every loop and not speak a word to a person you are part of something. Something bigger than oneself."

Three Words for Loop 12

Absolute pure joy.

When it was over Scott did 12 pushups. Then he hugged Nick. Then he hugged his wife.

More of a reminder than a lesson this year: "When you do things with joy the outcome is always amazing."

2027? A hard yes.

We'll see you out there Scott.

4/4

'leary

The PeoplePam has been at almost every race Scott has ever run. Ultras, Spartan races, all of it. "She loves race day mo...
05/19/2026

The People

Pam has been at almost every race Scott has ever run. Ultras, Spartan races, all of it. "She loves race day more than anyone I know. Sharing these events with her is way beyond running and racing."

The kids at the start finish line with their hands out asking for high fives and low fives, saying "good job runner" — Scott tried to hit every single hand. "It was so human and beautiful."

And then there was Cowbell Girl. At the top of the last climb every single lap, just yelling and ringing that cowbell with everything she had. Scott would yell back "more cowbell." Others started laughing after a few laps. Coming into the finish line laughing became one of his favorite parts of the entire day.

He got a wooden medal that said DNF.

He laughed.

He loved it.

3/4

'leary

The DayScott felt amazing all day. Nothing fell apart. He was deliberate about his pacing in a way he'd never been befor...
05/19/2026

The Day

Scott felt amazing all day.

Nothing fell apart.

He was deliberate about his pacing in a way he'd never been before — a run/walk plan, watch set to beep, 3 minutes walking, 1 minute running. He blew that up on the first lap. But he walked more than he ever has, stayed consistent between 53-55 minute laps, and fueled better than he ever has in five backyards. "I think I knew I couldn't run my way through this by my fitness so I was much better at pacing and fueling this year. Which gives me hope to nail one of these if I can be in the right shape and do what I did this year."

He talked to Joey on the course. Between laps 11 and 12 he spoke to Pam's sister back home. The sun shined all day. Scott gives the nod to Joey on that one.

His most random thought out on course? "Joey is going to be pi**ed if I stop."

He didn't stop. He ran 12 beautiful loops.

2/4

'leary

Running for Joey — Scott O'Leary, Elm Creek Backyard Ultra 2026Scott Patrick O'Leary is from Bradford, Massachusetts. He...
05/19/2026

Running for Joey — Scott O'Leary, Elm Creek Backyard Ultra 2026

Scott Patrick O'Leary is from Bradford, Massachusetts.

He has run ALL five Elm Creek Backyard Ultras. He came back this year after taking a year off from running, only six months into getting back into shape, carrying a small urn of ashes in his pocket.

His only goal was Joey.

Pam lost her brother. Scott lost a little brother. And somewhere in the planning of this year's race, a goal was set — not a loop goal, not a mileage goal. Carry Joey on the course. Do pushups after every loop in his honor, the number corresponding to the loop just finished. Find some place in their hearts for joy instead of grief.

"Joey ran his first ultra."

1/4

'leary

Meet Jason Paris. Maple Grove, MN. 24 loops. 100 miles.Jason grew up with Elm Creek Park Reserve as his literal backyard...
05/06/2026

Meet Jason Paris. Maple Grove, MN. 24 loops. 100 miles.

Jason grew up with Elm Creek Park Reserve as his literal backyard. The algorithm knew what it was doing when it pushed this race to him.

He fell short of 100 miles last year by 4 laps. He came back. He got his buckle. First thing he did when it was over? Made a beeline straight for it.

Lap 8 his hamstrings started sending warning signals. His wife fed him soy sauce and pickle juice from his kids' sushi. It worked. Lap 22 he was so tired he could barely stay upright. By lap 23 the confidence came back.
Three words for loop 24? Just Keep Shuffling.

What was going through his mind crossing 100 miles? "Man I'm tired." Same Jason. Same.

His wife and five kids ages 2-11 camped overnight. Friends and neighbors stopped by. Their friend Bezawit showed up at 5am with exactly the energy everyone needed. Best thing anyone said all weekend? His 6 year old son Chester: "I think you're a professional runner." 🥹

No caffeine. No music. The entire race. His wife kept offering. He kept saying no. "I want to feel this."

What does the Elm Creek community mean to him? "A bunch of people cheering who don't even know your name." Except the woman whose house his company painted years ago who shouted "Paris!!" on lap 25. That's Elm Creek.

Next up: Moab 240. Just a casual 240 miler. No big deal.

2027? 100%.


What He'd Tell YouHave a plan. Be willing to change it. Worry only about what you can control.It is usually darkest in o...
05/05/2026

What He'd Tell You

Have a plan. Be willing to change it. Worry only about what you can control.

It is usually darkest in our minds before dawn. Hang in there through the night and the sun will give you new life.

Enjoy the moment. The point of the race is not to finish. Just be aware that you are in it at all — otherwise you may miss it altogether.

And his favorite — a Buddhist teaching he carries with him: The two arrows. The first arrow is the physical pain. It is unavoidable. The second arrow is the mental suffering — and that is a choice. See the pain. Accept that it is there. Then let it go. Don't give it a wall to push against in your mind.

After it was over Adam thanked the volunteers. Then he took a real shower.

He asked his family if he should come back in 2027. Before he finished asking, the answer was a resounding yes.

Next up: Ode to Laz in July.

We'll see you at Elm Creek, Adam. It is an honor.

5/5

(Facebook) | Adam Kerr (Substack)

The CrewHis wife Abby corralled their three kids — ages 13, 11 and 7 — through their own busy schedules while still maki...
05/05/2026

The Crew

His wife Abby corralled their three kids — ages 13, 11 and 7 — through their own busy schedules while still making sure they could be part of Elm Creek. His brother-in-law PJ is his crew chief, co-worker, best friend and biggest supporter. Not a runner. Thinks Adam is insane. Will stay up for two days straight anyway. "If I fall asleep in the chair, he is there with one minute thirty seconds left to get me going again."
People drove hours to cheer. Texts came in the middle of the night. "It just breathes life into you."

This year Adam bought 100 wristbands and had his family and friends write anything they wanted on them — names, quotes, words of encouragement. He switched to a new one every lap, giving himself something to think about out there. His youngest loved grabbing the next one when she was around. They said things like people's names. "Run Forest Run." Small things that breathed life into the long hours.

His theme song for 2026: Smile by Imagine Dragons.

In 2025, during a painful stretch in the corral on the second night, a boy named Henry walked right up to Adam and said four words: I want you to win. Adam never forgot them.

Before the race this year Henry's mom found Adam and told him Henry was rooting for him. Henry didn't make it this weekend — he was sick.

"Oddly enough I still felt his spirit. Thank you Henry."

4/5

(Facebook) | Adam Kerr (Substack)

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12400 Jame Deane Parkway
Maple Grove, MN
55369

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+16122029202

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/19NStC2iw9smnYSZ_1LJkh

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