The backyard ultra format has taken ultrarunning by storm in recent years, and in 2022 the unique approach to racing made its way to the greater Boston Metro area when the Needham Running Club played host to the inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra.

NEEDHAM, Mass. – The inaugural Needham Backyard Ultra wasted no time having its first down-to-the wire, cutoff-eluding experience.

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.

The inaugural running of the Needham Backyard Ultra took place at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Needham Town Forest. Twenty-six runners took part in the race, which used a 4.17-mile course that runners raced hourly until one runner remained.