The first edition of the Needham Backyard Ultra took place Saturday, May 7, at Needham Town Forest. Twenty-six runners started the day, and the last runner standing completed 12 hours on the course. The following are a handful of photos from the race. A full photo gallery can be viewed on the MassUltra Facebook page.
Molly Karp cruises through the course at the Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Don Keren catches his breath after completing another loop of the course at the Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Ilya Bass cruises through another loop of the course at the Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Mike Bates, left, and Ilya Bass, right, relax after completing another loop at the inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Bruce Leung, left, and Mike Bates, right, logged several loops together during the inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Daniel Leonard closes in on the completion of another loop of the course at the Needham Backyard Ultra. Leonard won the inaugural event after 12 hours and 50 miles of racing on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners prepare to begin the sixth hour of the Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Kiko Bracker, co-Race Director for the Needham Backyard Ultra, shares a laugh with runners as they prepare to begin another loop of the course at Needham Town Forest. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Jamie Romaniak, left, and Jessica Pope, logged plenty of miles together during the inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Romaniak raced for nine hours and Pope for eight, with both earning ultramarathon mileage. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Molly Karp (seated), Mike Bates (center), and Bruce Leung (right) shared plenty of laughs and miles during the inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.The official clock that tracked each hour of racing at the inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra. Runners had one hour to complete the 4.17-mile course and return to the starting line to race another loop. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.
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