Support Crew – Deep Creek Backyard Ultra

The Deep Creek Backyard Ultra thrives on community spirit — your support crew plays a huge role in keeping runners motivated and the atmosphere alive. Crews are the heartbeat of the race hub, helping their runners recover, reset, and keep going strong.

Crew Setup

• Support crews must stay within the race hub area — no access to the course.
• Bring a 3 m × 3 m gazebo or tent, securely pegged or weighted (no string lines).
• Include chairs, tables, and lighting — battery-powered only (no mains power).
• Keep your area tidy and safe; no gear or cords across walkways.

Crew Role & Conduct

• Encourage everyone — not just your runner. The backyard format thrives on shared energy and positivity.
• Assist only between loops — no aid or exchanges while runners are on course.
• Respect race officials and volunteers — follow all instructions promptly.
• Stay clear of the start Dead Zone area during loop starts.
• No pacing — runners must complete each yard solo.
• Children welcome, but must remain under direct adult supervision.

Crew Essentials

• Food, drinks, and snacks for yourself — the official aid station is for runners only.
• Weather protection: rain jacket, hat, sunscreen, warm layers for night hours.
• Lighting: headlamp or lantern for early morning or night loops.
• Rubbish bags — leave no trace.
• First aid basics: bandages, blister care, sunscreen, lip balm.
• Entertainment: music, games, or cheering props to keep spirits high.
• Space blanket for emergencies or to help warm your runner post-loop. 
• Facilities: Both runners and their crews have access to the toilets during the event.

Atmosphere & Community

• Be part of the vibe — clap, cheer, ring cowbells. The hub will have music playing.
• Help create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all runners.
• Share encouragement, lend a hand, and celebrate every loop completed.
• Keep the hub positive — your energy fuels the runners’ resilience.

Remember: The backyard ultra is as much about community as endurance. Your support, enthusiasm, and respect for the rules help make Deep Creek an unforgettable experience for everyone.

Deep Creek Backyard Ultra – Milestones

1 Yard = 1 loop 6.706km

• 1 Yard — 6.706 km

• 8 Yards — 53.6 km  [Ultra]

• 10 Yards — 67.06 km 

• 15 Yards — 100.5 km

• 24 Yards — 160.9km  [100 Miles] 

• 36 Yards — 241.4km  [150 Miles]

• 48 Yards — 321.8km  [200 Miles]

• 72 Yards — 482.8km  [300 Miles]

• 82 Yards — 549.89 km

How many runners Outfoxed the course and completed the last lap solo? 

If you have Covid-19 at the time of the event or leading up to the event. Your ticket will not be transferred to the following year.

Why Our No‑Audio Rule Exists — And Why It Must Be Respected

For more than ten years, Coastal Track & Trail Runners has enforced a strict zero‑tolerance ban on all audio devices at every event we operate. This rule is not new, not sudden, and not optional. It exists because we have seen — firsthand — how dangerous audio hardware becomes in a remote forest environment.

The Incidents That Created This Rule Were Not Accidents — They Happened Because Runners Ignored It

Every serious situation we’ve faced involving audio devices came from runners who chose not to follow the rule. They waited until they were out of sight, put their headphones back in, and assumed it “wouldn’t matter”, well it does. 

We know this because:

• We have seen runners wearing audio devices in photos on course.
• We have had runners cross the finish line still wearing earbuds, forgetting to remove them.
• We have had to disqualify runners who knowingly broke the rule.
• We have had runners argue with us at the finish line, even though the rule is clearly stated, long‑standing, and non‑negotiable.

These moments ruin your day, but they also ruin ours. We spend 12 months planning, building, maintaining, and delivering these events. Endless hours. Countless volunteers. Safety briefings. Course checks. Risk assessments. All so you can have an incredible experience.

When someone breaks a simple rule and then argues with us about it, it tarnishes the experience for everyone — especially us as Race Directors. Our reward for all the hard work over the past year is race weekend and what do you think we remember the most about the event when we have to deal with people not following the simple rules. 

We don’t want to be put in that position. We don’t want conflict. We don’t want to spend race day defending a rule that has existed for a decade.

We want to welcome you, support you, cheer for you, and celebrate your achievement — not debate safety rules that protect you and our team.

The Real Safety Risks We Have Faced

These are not hypothetical scenarios. They are real situations caused by runners who ignored the rule:

1. Runners unable to hear others trying to pass safely

We have had runners on narrow roads and single‑track who could not hear someone calling out “passing on your right/left.” This has caused collisions, falls, and dangerous near‑misses.

2. Vehicle safety risks on mountain roads

Our team drives up and down the mountain at all hours — day and night — for course checks, emergency response, and aid station support.

If a runner sits or rests on a road and cannot hear a vehicle approaching, we may not see them in time. Fog, darkness, blind corners, and steep terrain make this extremely dangerous.

3. Emergency communication failures

If a runner falls off the side of the mountain, slips down an embankment, or suffers a medical emergency, they rely on nearby runners to hear their calls for help.

A runner wearing audio devices — even bone conduction — may not hear someone calling out from below or behind.

Seconds matter. Audio devices remove awareness.

4. Wildlife, sweep teams, and general trail awareness

You must be able to hear everything around you — runners, vehicles, wildlife, volunteers, sweepers, and emergency crews.

Audio devices remove that awareness, even when the wearer believes they can “still hear everything.”

Why We Cannot Debate This Rule

We understand that some runners enjoy listening to music or podcasts while they run. But this is not a personal preference issue. This is a safety issue with real consequences.

If you choose not to attend our events because of this rule, we respect your decision.

What we cannot allow is:

• arguments at check‑in
• debates at the finish line
• attempts to negotiate exceptions
• complaints directed at volunteers
• disrespect toward staff enforcing a rule that protects everyone

It is our race, and the safety of you, our volunteers, our crew, and the public is our highest priority.

We want you to enjoy your time at our events, meet new lifelong friends, and experience the trails safely — not create conflict over a rule that has been in place for a decade.

Final Message

We care deeply about every runner who steps onto our course. We care about our volunteers. We care about our crew. We care about the community that supports these events.

This rule exists because we want you safe — and because we have seen what happens when it is ignored.

Thank you for respecting it. Thank you for supporting our team. Thank you for helping us keep these events safe, enjoyable, and sustainable for years to come.

You are expected and encouraged to socially interact with other competitors.

- Policy Definition

All CTTR events are pin and cup free. 

• Which means we do not supply pins for bibs. 
• We do not supply cups on course.

Bring your own if you require. We do have soft reusable cups and race belts for sale at check-ins.

You need to check-in Saturday before the start to collect your bib. You must do the following when you arrive on race morning: