JP's Backyard Ultra/Hike, The Final Edition

  • Date Sat 26th September 2026
  • Time 8:00AM PDT
  • Location Napa, California
  • Price Free
  • Races 2 races
  • Distances Ultra

Event summary

Join us for the exhilarating JP's Backyard Ultra/Hike, The Final Edition on Saturday, September 26, 2026, set against the stunning backdrop of Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa, California. This unique ultramarathon and hiking event is not just a race; it’s a heartfelt celebration of life, resilience, and community spirit, marking its fourth and final year. Participants can choose to take on a challenging 3.3-mile loop course, with options to complete anywhere from 1 to 10 loops, culminating in a total distance of up to 33.3 miles! The event runs from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so come ready to challenge yourself and stand in solidarity with those affected by rare diseases.

As you traverse the beautiful trails, enjoy a range of amenities including a main aid station with snacks and drinks, lunch for participants, and awards for top finishers. This cup-less event encourages sustainability, so remember to bring your own hydration pack! Plus, with fun raffle prizes and a silent wine auction featuring local Napa Valley wines, there are numerous ways to support the Pheo Para Alliance. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a growing force for good while celebrating community and perseverance in the

Organiser's Description

JOIN US FOR JPS BACKYARD ULTRA, a one-of-a-kind ultramarathon and hike set in the scenic trails of Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa, CA. Now in its fourth and final year, this grassroots event is more than just a race, its a celebration of life, resilience, and community.

Born from my personal journey with Stage IV mediastinal paraganglioma, JPs Backyard Ultra is a fundraiser for the PHEO PARA ALLIANCE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-1510652) dedicated to empowering patients, families, and medical professionals affected by pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma through education, advocacy, and global support. Learn more at www.pheopara.org [http://www.pheopara.org/].

Whether you're in it for one loop or ten, come run or hike in solidarity, to honor those facing rare diseases, to challenge yourself, and to stand as part of a growing force for good.

_~JONATHAN PASCUAL_

* The course features a 3.3 mile loop with 550+ feet of climbing, offering a mix of terrain from steep rocky sections to shaded paths. Scroll down for map below.
* Participants can choose anywhere from 1 to 10 loops.
* Runners and hikers alike start at the same time every hour going clockwise on the even hours and counterclockwise on the odd hours. So it doesn't matter if you finish your loop fast or slow because everyone starts again at the same time in the next hour. Those attempting 10 loops should pace themselves for a final race on the 10th loop making 33.3 miles. You can do as many or as few loops as you wish however.
* TIMED EVENT: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Please arrive by 0730 for course description, announcement of run prize categories & fundraising prizes.
* AID STATION: Main camp has various caloric options and drinks with water only at the bridge and mile 2.3.
* FOOD & BEVERAGES: Provided, including lunch for participants and volunteers.
* CUPLESS EVENT: Bring your own water bottle or hydration pack. HYDRAPAK, our SUSTAINABLE RACING PARTNER will provide limited 300 Limited Edition HydraPak Graphic SpeedCups & 8 SpeedFill Pitchers for use at aid stations.

* AWARDS:

* Medals to all registered hikers and runners.
* Medal & wine (non-alcoholic option for under 21) for top three male and female finishers of the 2, 4, 6, 8 loops.
* Medal, wine, and trophy for the fastest 10th loop goes to the top three male and female finishers and special Vinerunner 4th place trophy.
* Medal, wine, and trophy for the fastest cumulative time for 10 loops goes to the top three male and female finishers.

* RAFFLE PRIZES: buy tickets on day of event to win raffle baskets, gift certificates, and other special prizes. Proceeds benefit the Pheo Para Alliance.
* SILENT WINE AUCTION: place your bids on exceptional wines generously donated by local Napa Valley wineries, starting at an unbeatable buy-now price. Proceeds benefit the Pheo Para Alliance.

* REGISTRATION "FEE": DONATION LINK [https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/CA/Napa/JPsBackyardUltraHike?edit=]

* JP's Backyard Ultra has always been a free event. Suggested donation to register starts at $30.
* Participants get a medal, a variety of snacks and drinks at the aid station, and lunch.
* To streamline registration, we are using runsignup.com. 100% of suggested starting donation of $30 goes directly to the Pheo Para Alliance. The processing fee of 6% per $1 of transaction (cart). This fee is charged per transaction, not per individual participant, meaning that if a user registers multiple people to a single cart, the $1 fee is only charged once, lowering the overall cost per person.
* If you cannot attend or want to donate beyond the suggested amount, consider giving an additional donation at the donation link. [https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/CA/Napa/JPsBackyardUltraHike?edit=]

* PARKING:

* Do not park at Skyline's main parking lot to avoid parking fee. Parking opens at 0600.
* Follow signs for "JP's Backyard Ultra Parking" for free parking for registered participants at the Westside parking lot of Skyline Wilderness Park.

* CHILDCARE: We have volunteers to watch your kids from 0800-1200.
* PARK RULES: No dogs on trails, stay on marked trails, carry out your trash & put in appropriate bins at the main aid station, trails close at sunset.
* CAMP WITH US: reservations at Skyline's Website: Reserve Camp Site. [https://www.skylinepark.org/activities/camping/] Mention JP's Backyard Ultra to reserve your spot in our campsite on Friday 9/25 & Saturday 9/26. Camping reservation with vehicles is at the same site but will be separate from the tent only.

Races

  • JP's Backyard Ultra & Hike, the Final Edition

    Sat 26th September 2026 (8:00AM PDT)

    Free

    OPENS 15 APR
    This will be the fourth and final year of this event that benefits the Pheo Para Alliance a 501(c)(3) Public Charity EIN 26-1510652 www.pheopara.org. The Pheo Para Alliance supports research of paraganglioma, a very rare form of terminal cancer that afflicts Jonathan Pascual, our event founder and Race Director. JPs Big Backyard Ultra is run on a 5k loop at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa, CA. Starting at 8am, each hour participants will start a new loop on the course with the race ending at 6pm. Throughout the day there will be raffle drawings of various donated merchandise to add to fundraising totals achieved by asking participants to donate directly to the Pheo Para Alliance. There is also a silent auction of donated merchandise and wine to benefit our charity. All prizes, food and beverages at the event are donated, either by Jonathan or his friends and family, or local vendors during this 10 hour event. **The course features a 3.3 mile loop with 550+ feet of climbing, offering a mix of terrain from steep rocky sections to shaded paths. **Participants can choose anywhere from 1 to 10 loops. **Runners and hikers alike start at the same time every hour going clockwise on the even hours and counterclockwise on the odd hours. So it doesn't matter if you finish your loop fast or slow because everyone starts again at the same time in the next hour. Those attempting 10 loops should pace themselves for a final race on the 10th loop making 33.3 miles. You can do as many or as few loops as you wish however. **Timed Event: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Arrive at 0730 for announcements. **Aid Station: Main camp various caloric options and drinks with water only at the bridge and mile 2.3. **Food & Beverages: Provided, including lunch for participants and volunteers. **Cupless Event: Bring your own water bottle or hydration pack. **Awards: -Medals to all participants -Medal & wine (non-alconolic option for those under 21) for top 3 finishers of 2, 4, 6, 8 loops. -Medal, wine, and trophy for the top 3 male and female finishers and special Vinerunner 4th trophy for male & female fourth place finisher for the fastest 10th loop. -Medal, wine, and trophy for the top 3 male and female finishers and for the fastest cumulative time for 10 loops. **Raffle Prizes: buy tickets on day of event to win raffle baskets, gift certificates, and other special prizes. Proceeds benefit the Pheo Para Alliance. **Registration "Fee": -JP's Backyard Ultra has always been a free event. Suggested donation to register starts at $30. -Participants get a medal, a variety of snacks and drinks at the aid station, and lunch. -Register multiple people to a single cart, so the $1 fee from runsignup is only charged once, lowering the overall cost per person. **Parking: -Do not park at main parking lot to avoid parking fee. Parking opens at 0600. -Follow signs for "JP's Backyard Ultra Parking" for free parking for registered participants at the Westside parking lot of Skyline Park. **Childcare: We have volunteers to watch your kids from 0800-1200. **Park Rules: No dogs on trails, stay on marked trails, carry out your trash & put in appropriate bins at the main aid station, trails close at sunset. **Camp with us: reservations at Skyline's Website. Mention JP's Backyard Ultra to reserve your spot in our campsite on Friday 9/25 & Saturday 9/26. Camping reservation with vehicles is at the same site but will be separate from the tent only.
  • JP's Backyard Ultra & Hike Virtual Challenge, the Final Edition

    Free

    OPENS 15 APR
    JPs Backyard Ultra & Hike Challenge (Virtual Edition) A Virtual Challenge with a Real Impact Join us wherever you are for the JPs Backyard Ultra & Hike Challenge, a virtual extension of the in-person event happening on September 26, 2026 in Napa, CA. This virtual challenge invites runners and hikers across the countryand around the worldto unite for a shared cause: raising awareness and support for rare cancer patients through the Pheo Para Alliance. spiral calendar When: Anytime in the month of September 2025 on your schedule, in your location. woman running How It Works: * Find a 3.3-mile loop near you (trail, park, neighborhood, etc.) * Choose your challenge: * One loop * Or go big: up to 10 loops on the hour, every hourjust like the real JPs Backyard Ultra! * Set your own pace and goalswhether you're walking, hiking, or running blue heart Why Participate? This challenge honors Jonathan Pascual, founder of JPs Backyard Ultra, who is living with Stage IV paraganglioma, a rare and terminal cancer. Your participation supports Pheo Para Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 26-1510652) dedicated to empowering patients, families, and clinicians affected by pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma through education, advocacy, and global support. Learn more at www.pheopara.org. money with wings Registration & Donations: * This event is completely free to join. * We suggest a $30 donation to benefit the Pheo Para Alliance. * Donations can be made via our fundraising page. Please note:Due to limited funds, we are unable to ship medals or awards to virtual participants. But your dedication, heart, and support mean everythingand this challenge is about spirit, strength, and solidarity. sparkles Be a Force for Good Set your own challenge. Share your photos and stories online. Inspire your friends. Run or hike with purpose, wherever you are. Together, we can raise awareness and critical funds for those battling rare cancers. Be a force for good. I know I have so much more to give, so much more life to live, and so much more love to give. I challenge others to discover what they can contribute to be a force for good. Jonathan Pascual @jpconbrio

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Location

2201 Imola Avenue, Napa, 94559, CA, United States

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