01
The course
A runnable but demanding course shaped for the backyard format—not an obstacle course and not an easy paved loop. The final surface, elevation profile and route will be developed with the selected venue and permitting authorities.
One yard at a time
The LastMile
Canadian Rockies
Backyard Ultra
Canadian Rockies, Alberta · August 11, 2028
6.7056 KM. Every hour.
Until one remains.
Planned inaugural eventAlberta, Canada
ExploreThe Canadian Rockies. One last runner.
6.7056
Kilometres
60:00
Each yard
01
Course
01
Winner
A last-person-standing race built for those willing to go again.
Every hour, every runner returns to the same starting line to complete another 6.7056-kilometre yard. Finish within the hour and you earn the right to continue. Fail to finish—or fail to answer the next bell—and your race is over.
There is no predetermined distance. The race continues through daylight, darkness, fatigue and uncertainty until only one runner completes the final yard.
The Last Mile is being built to bring internationally competitive endurance athletes and ambitious everyday runners to the same corral in the Canadian Rockies.
Once the bell rings, reputation disappears. Can you go again?
The rules are simple. The outcome isn't.
One yard. Every hour. Until one remains.
A backyard ultra has no predetermined finish line. Runners complete one yard within one hour. At the beginning of the next hour, every remaining runner starts again.
- 01
Enter the corral
Every remaining runner must be inside the starting corral before the next hour begins.
- 02
Answer the bell
A new 6.7056-kilometre yard begins precisely on the hour. Late starts are not permitted.
- 03
Complete the yard
Finish before the hour expires. Whatever time remains can be used to eat, recover, change equipment or prepare.
- 04
Go again
Return to the corral before the next bell. The cycle repeats through daylight and darkness.
- 05
Be the last
The winner is the final runner to complete one additional yard after every other athlete has stopped.
YARD 01
6.7056 KM
60:00
NO FINISH DISTANCE
ONE WINNER
Beautiful enough to draw you in.
The Rockies do not care how far you have already gone.
The Last Mile is being designed around a single course travelled through changing light, weather and fatigue. The same terrain that greets runners during the opening yards will remain when the mountains disappear into darkness.
02
The basecamp
Every athlete returns to a dedicated team space after each yard. It becomes their recovery station, kitchen, equipment room, sleeping area and emotional centre for as long as their race continues.
03
The crew
Three accredited crew members are included with each entry, with an optional fourth relief credential planned. Crew strategy becomes part of the competition as teams manage nutrition, clothing, sleep and equipment.
04
The night
After sunset, the race changes. Temperatures fall, headlamps replace daylight and the familiar course becomes something different. The hourly bell continues regardless.
05
The sunrise
For those who survive the night, sunrise is not the finish. It is only permission to see the mountains—and the work still ahead.
06
The story
The Last Mile is intended to be experienced beyond the course through live race data, athlete storytelling, photography and broadcast coverage designed around every hourly start.
Every runner begins with a distance in mind. The mountains decide when that number stops mattering.
One race site. A much larger stage.
Built to be followed yard by yard.
The Last Mile is being developed as both a premium on-site race and a modern endurance media property. The production vision is ambitious, but deliberately conditional: every element will depend on the host venue, permits, backyard ultra rules, athlete consent and operational feasibility.
Live coverage
A professionally produced live program is envisioned around the hourly rhythm of the race, with commentary and clear context for viewers following a field that changes one bell at a time.
Athlete stories
Profiles, interviews and race-day storytelling are intended to make the people inside the format as compelling as the leaderboard.
Race intelligence
Timing, yard counts and field status would be presented through a restrained broadcast data system. Athlete metrics would only be used where the rules, athlete consent and technology permit.
Cinematic production
Ground crews, long-lens photography and permitted drone capture are part of the creative ambition, subject to land-manager requirements, aviation regulations and event permits.
Location storytelling
The long-term goal is to let a digital audience experience the host location and the race without compromising athlete safety, environmental responsibilities or the on-site experience.
LIVE COVERAGE
COMMENTARY
ATHLETE STORIES
RACE DATA
CINEMATIC GROUND
DRONE · IF PERMITTED
The first bell is coming.
A new Canadian backyard ultra is being built for August 11, 2028.
The Last Mile is currently in development for the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. Venue discussions, course development and regulatory planning are underway. Final event details will be announced after the necessary agreements and approvals are secured.
- Region
- Canadian Rockies, Alberta
- Planned date
- August 11, 2028
- Format
- Traditional last-person-standing backyard ultra
- Course
- One 6.7056 km loop, day and night
- Field size
- To be set through venue and permitting review
- Entry
- Public application/lottery plus invited elite athletes
- Status
- Event development and venue planning underway
This race should exist.
Canada deserves a backyard ultra built for the world stage.
The Canadian Rockies have the scale, severity and atmosphere to host one of endurance racing's most powerful events.
This is not being designed as another weekend trail race. The ambition is a lasting Canadian endurance property known for athlete experience, crew culture, responsible land use and uncompromising execution.
01
Athlete first
Every operational decision should help athletes safely discover how far they can go.
02
Built for crew
Basecamp, accreditation and event services will recognize the crew's role in every athlete's performance.
03
Responsible in the Rockies
Permit compliance, environmental protection, course restoration and respectful local relationships are foundational.
04
Designed to be seen
Live data, photography and broadcast storytelling will bring the narrowing field to audiences beyond the course.
05
Built to last
The objective is not one impressive inaugural event. It is a respected Canadian endurance institution.
Know before the bell.
Questions. Answered.
What is a backyard ultra?
A backyard ultra requires runners to complete a 6.7056-kilometre yard every hour. Those who finish within the hour may start again at the beginning of the next hour. The race continues until only one runner completes a final yard alone.
When and where will The Last Mile take place?
The inaugural event is planned for August 11, 2028 in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. The host venue and all course details will be announced only after the necessary agreements and approvals are secured.
How many athletes will be accepted?
The inaugural field size has not been finalized. Capacity will be set with the selected venue and permitting authorities, taking basecamp space, environmental requirements, access and event operations into account.
How will athletes be selected?
The field is expected to combine a public application or lottery with a limited number of invited elite athletes. Complete selection rules will be published before applications open.
Do I need to be an elite ultrarunner?
No. The Last Mile is intended to bring experienced international competitors and ambitious everyday runners to the same starting line. Applicants should still be prepared for remote mountain conditions and an event with no predetermined finish distance.
Does joining the waitlist guarantee entry?
No. Waitlist members will receive early notification of major announcements and the entry application, but joining does not guarantee acceptance or improve lottery odds.
Can athletes have a crew?
Yes. The working format includes three accredited crew members with each athlete entry and the option to register one additional relief crew member. A maximum of three crew members may occupy an athlete's basecamp space at one time. Final crew policies will be confirmed with registration details.
Will crew members be allowed on the course?
No. Personal assistance is only permitted after an athlete completes a yard and returns to basecamp. Crew members, pacers and other non-competitors cannot accompany athletes on the course.
Will the same course be used at night?
Yes. The Last Mile is being designed around one course used during both daylight and darkness. Athletes will be responsible for mandatory nighttime lighting and equipment.
How can I follow event development?
Join the founding waitlist for venue, date, course, athlete and application announcements.
Designed before the first bell.
The founding collection.
Round 01 · Concept development
The first pieces of The Last Mile are being developed as functional race equipment and a shared identity for athletes, crews and the people who believe in the race before the first bell.
Not yet for sale. Final materials, manufacturing partners, fit and production specifications remain under review.
01
Technical race system
Performance tee · Trail and crew bandana
02
Two locked back treatments
Cutline identity · The Same Line statement
03
32 oz yard bottle
Black smoke · Limestone clear
04
Heavyweight hoodie
Rock black · Limestone
05
Streetwear tee
Two colourways · Two locked treatments
Follow the build. Be there when the first collection becomes real.
Join the founding waitlistBefore the first bell
Be there whenthe backyard opens.
Join the founding waitlist for venue, course and athlete announcements, production updates and the opening of the inaugural entry application.
Start a conversation
Partnerships, media and event inquiries.
The Last Mile is currently developing venue, community, operational, athlete and production relationships for its planned August 11, 2028 inaugural event.
info@thelastmileultra.com