The third annual MetroWest Backyard Ultra took place Sept. 28-29 at the Needham Town Forest in Needham, Mass. A crowd of 164 runners entered this year’s event on a 4.17-mile trail course through the forest, and runners had one hour to complete the loop and return to the starting line before the next loop began. They repeated the process over and over, hour after hour, until only one runner remained. The following are a small sample of photos from the event taken by MassUltra Editor Chris Wristen. A full gallery can be viewed on the MassUltra Facebook page.
Runners fire off the starting line at the start of another hour of running at the third annual MetroWest Backyard Ultra at the Needham Town Forest. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Michael Spencer, left, and Timothy O’Donoghue cruise toward the finish of another loop at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Faye Benoit cruises through the finish of another loop at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Volunteers record completed laps for runners during the third annual MetroWest Backyard Ultra at the Needham Town Forest. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Hana Lee was feeling good as she wrapped up another hour of running at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Joe Benoit closes out another loop at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners refuel between loops at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Jason Kaplan, left, Bruce Leung, center, and Jason Miller, right, cover the final stretch of the 4.17-mile course at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Ryan Hanna was still running strong after eight hours at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Helen Yuan glides down the trail as she wraps up her eighth hour of running at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Bruce Leung rehydrates between loops at the third annual MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Leung has participated in all three years of the event. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.A runner receives support from his crew between laps at the third annual MetroWest Backyard Ultra on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Race Director Kiki Bracker gives runners final instructions before the start of the eighth hour of the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Shane McNally, left, Luke Milne, center, and Catherine Holman, right, close out their eighth hour of running at the MetroWest Backyard Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.
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