What is Manotick Backyard Ultra?
The Manotick Backyard Ultra (MBU) is a community-driven endurance event hosted in the heart of Manotick, Ontario.
But first… What’s a Backyard Ultra?
The Backyard Ultra is an exhilarating ultramarathon format where participants run a 6.7-kilometer loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains. This unique challenge tests both physical endurance and mental resilience.
Manotick Backyard Ultra is organized through a partnership between Instride Run Club—owned and led by Laura Glasper and Danielle Guffie—and the other founders of the MBU: Summer Milley, Jessica and Charlie Cullen.
The MBU was born from the same spirit that shaped 692 Coffee & Bar, the community hub created by Laura, Jess, Danielle, and Charlie. Before opening 692, the four shared a simple idea: that a meaningful gathering place could bring people together, spark friendships, and strengthen the fabric of Manotick. What began as shared conversations and dreams between friends became a café built around warmth, connection, and belonging.
Since opening in 2019, 692 Coffee & Bar has invested deeply in fostering community—hosting events, supporting local initiatives, and creating a safe, welcoming space for all. It has become a place where ideas take root and community grows.
That same commitment to connection is what inspired the creation of the Manotick Backyard Ultra. By merging the inclusive, uplifting culture of the running world with the passion for community that fuels 692, the MBU was designed as more than a race. It is an annual celebration of grit, camaraderie, and the power of people coming together.
Whether you’re running your first loop, chasing a personal breakthrough, or cheering from the sidelines, the Manotick Backyard Ultra brings runners, volunteers, families, and neighbours into a shared experience—one loop at a time.