One More Yard for Anne Thompson

We've raised enough sympathy. It's time to raise survival rates.

One More Yard for Pancreatic Cancer 💜

This Saturday, I’ll be standing at the start line of my first Backyard Ultra — and I’ve decided to make every yard count for something more.

Earlier this year, our family lost my mother-in-law after an incredibly short three-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Three months.

There was so little time between diagnosis and saying goodbye. Like so many families affected by pancreatic cancer, our lives changed incredibly quickly.

I had signed up for the Prairie Chaos Backyard Ultra simply because I was curious. I wanted to experience this unique kind of race, challenge myself a little, meet some great people and see where the day took me.

Then I realized I could make the day about something more.

One More Yard 💜

A Backyard Ultra works differently from a traditional race.

Every hour, on the hour, runners start a 6.7 km loop, called a yard.

Finish within the hour and you can line up to do it again.

And again.

And again.

There is no predetermined distance and, for me, there isn't a finish-line goal.

There is no set distance for me this weekend. I'm going into my first one mostly out of curiosity. I want to experience it, enjoy the day and see where it takes me. As long as I'm feeling good and still enjoying myself, I'll keep answering the bell. 

Do I want one more yard?

If the answer is yes, I'll answer the next bell.

Want to join me?

You can simply make a donation of any amount through this page.

Or, if you'd like to have a little fun with the Backyard format, you can pledge an amount for every yard I complete.

💜 $1 per yard
💜 $2 per yard
💜 $5 per yard
💜 $10 per yard
💜 Or any amount you choose

If you'd like to pledge per yard, send me a message or let me know your pledge. After the race, I'll post my final yard count and you can make your donation based on however many I completed.

There is absolutely no obligation for me to keep running because of a pledge. The donations follow the yards — they don't determine them.

Sponsor a Yard

I'd also love to open my yards to other families who have been affected by pancreatic cancer.

If there is someone you'd like me to run a yard in honour or in memory of, please send me their name.

I'll add their name to my race sheet and carry them with me for one of my 6.7 km yards.

No speeches. No promises to run harder.

Just 6.7 kilometres dedicated to someone who matters.

Why pancreatic cancer?

Losing someone only three months after diagnosis showed our family just how devastating this disease can be.

I'm not running because I think running an ultramarathon compares in any way to facing cancer.

I'm running because running is something I can do.

And if doing something I already love can raise a little money, create a little awareness, and honour my mother-in-law while helping other families facing pancreatic cancer, then those kilometres can mean something.

I don't know how many times I'll answer the bell on Saturday.

Maybe 6.

Maybe fewer.

Maybe I'll get to 12 and find myself curious enough to try 13.

That's part of what makes this race so special.

One yard. One hour. One decision.

And this Saturday, every one of them will mean a little more.

In memory of my mother-in-law Anne. 💜

Thank you for donating, pledging, sharing, sponsoring a yard, or simply cheering me on.

It all counts.