A late Summer version of our competitive Backyard Ultra Event.

New for 2026 - We have a 6 and 12 hour entry option available at a reduced cost for those wanting to try the event style or who only have a 6 or 12 hour target. Both these will have the same exact setup and start time but you will not be able to continue past that time limit and the timing system will DNF you at that point. There will be no winner in either of the timed races and no prizes.

In the 6 hour race we have lowered the age limit to 12 years old but your patent or guardian must be onsite at all times and we must have their emergency contact number.

It's simply a reduced cost option saving £20 (12 hour) or £40 (6 hour) compared to the full event.

Run 4.167 miles every hour on the hour until only one person remains who can complete 1 "Yard" (loop) in the 1 hour time limit.

Held at High Lodge in Thetford Forest Suffolk.

Chip timing and a £250 prize for the winner and free entry to our summer Suffolk Back Yard Ultra for the winner and assist.

Discounts for Elite Runners

If you have done more than 40 yards in any Backyard event in the last 2 years we will give you a 25% discount, if you have done more than 45 we will give you 50% off and more than 50 yards and we will give you 75% off.

If you have won an official Backyard race in the last 2 years we will give you a free place.

Email us for the discounts.

See website race pack section for full in depth event details.

Main Event Info

Timings

Arrive from 8am on race day to set up. Please do not arrive earlier as you will not be allowed to set up any earlier than 8am. We will not be ready for you until 8am.

11:30 Race Brief

12:00 Race Start

Deadlines

Please see our Policies page for info on refunds/transfers or deferals.

Closing date for entries is 2 weeks (14 days) before race day.

Deadline for changing details such as club is 2 weeks (14 days) before race day.

You must create an account to see all edit/transfer options

Parking

Please note we will not make parking a purchase item until entries close 2 weeks before the race, this is so we do not have loads of admin with people changing registrations and pulling out of the race prior to that. We will message everyone when payment for parking goes live.

We have aranged a flat parking fee for runners and crews of £12 for the whole event from Saturday to Wednesday, You must purchase this from the Merchandise section (for those with no race entry) of the website or with your race entry as an additional order item. If you can not register before Wednesday the 3rd then you will need to provide your details to the customer service desk on arrival and it will cost you £15.

Parking timing restrictions - The site entrance gate closes in the evening from 9pm till 8am, you will be able to leave outside those hours but there is no entry to the site during that 9pm-8am window.

CP's

There is only one aid station at the start/finish area. From the race start to 8pm Sunday it will have hot and cold water for crews and some basic sweet and savoury snack for runners including things like pot noodles/pasta pots.

We will have a small cooking area set up so crdews can heat food in a supervised location. No stoves to be used in the camping area except in this supervised area, this is strict.

Facilities

We have Portable toilets on site onsite near the edge of both camping areas and these will be kept stocked and clean.

Route

Its a wide and flat route through stunning forest areas and firm underfoot with good drainage, only one small "Hill" on the route and suited to very fast laps. Mostly gravel or grass footpaths. It will befully signed. It's the same as our SBYU event.

Camping

Runners and crews camp for free but please keep tent/gazebo sizes to the smallest size possible as we have to squeeze up to 500 people onto the field.

There are two camping areas either side of the start area and route in and out of the field for runners. When you arrive you will be shown where to place your tent so we can get everyone camped safely. You will not oick where you sare camped but may move as numbers reduce to a space closer to the start.

There is no facility to pitch tents or camp on the Friday night. Please do not ask as we will say no.

There can be no stoves or cooking of any kind in or around the tents under any circumstances as the forest is subject to strict fire rules. See CP info above for info on cooking facilities.

Rubbish/Waste

Please take your personal waste home and recycle as the site does not have the facility to collect rubish or handle hundreds of peoples waste. We will be responsible for our event rubbish only.

Power

There is no power and patchy signal onsite so please plan to bring powerbanks for your needs, we will have a charging station with a couple of extension lead for runners only to top up phones but these will be limited.

Crews

We don't put a limit on crew numbers but please keep crews to the minimum you need especially in the early stages when the site will be at it's busiest. No pets no matter how well behaved in the camping areas. No smoking in camping areas.

Media

We wil have a photographer at the event doing photos, interviews and video updates. If you have no desire to be on camera please let them know during the event. Any photos or media at the event may be used to promote the event in future.

Records

As this is a new course it's open for new records but SBYU / TBYU and UK records are as below.

UK and SBYU Womens record Claire Bannwarth 61 Yards 2023

UK and SBYU Mens Record Lukasz Wrobel 88 yards 2024

SBYU Record 2025 is 49 hours (204 miles) by Jan Voorspoels.

Volunteering

As you can imagine it takes a huge number of volunteers to make sure this event runs smoothly, if you want to volunteer please look at our Volunteering page where you should find the info you need and our volunteering form to complete. You will also see the volunteering spreadsheets for each event so you can see what roles are still needed.

Race Specific Rules

1) You muast be in the Starting Corral at the time of the Start Whistle, you will have warning whistles/shouts at 3, 2 and 1 minute before.

2) No crew oe spectators allowed in the starting corrall at the start whistle.

3) No Handing over of kit, ditching kit or support of any kind from thde start whistle until the end of thed loop.

4) Toilets may be vistied on thed loop or betwen them as the toilets can be accessed from thed loop or vcamping areas.

5) Headtorches must be worn from 9pm and you will be verbally reminded to wear then from the 8pm loop.

6) If you are not back before the next hour starts you are DNF. No exceptions.

7) No cutting corners or not following the complete route.

8) when you DNF you must ring the "Bell of Shame" and delete your name from the entry list.

9) 6 and 12 hour runners are not allowed to continue past their time and will be automatically DNF on the timing system. No option to continue will be available.

Official Backyard Ultra Rules

Rules for the Backyard Ultra

1) Course

. Loop or out and back

. Must be 4 miles 880 feet in length

. Metric equivalent 6.7056 kilometers

2) Starting Corral

. Measured to fit entire starting field

. Corral stays the same size thru out the event

. Participants must be in the starting corral at the bell

3) Starts

. Each loop starts precisely 1 hour after the last

. Warning must be given 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to start

. All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts)

4) Loops

. Except for restrooms, competitor may not leave the course until each loop is completed

. No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)

. No personal aid during a loop (common aid stations are allowed)

. Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted… including the final lap.

. No artificial aids (including trekking poles)

. Slower runners must allow passes.

5) Timing

. Timing of the loops is optional

6) Winner/Results

. The winner is the last person to complete a loop

. All others are technically DNF

. Results of each runner in terms of distance covered are to be given.

. If no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.

7) Cap

. Race must be open ended.

Description supplied by the event organiser.