Backyard Ultra Maun

The Backyard Ultra format is built around one simple rule: every runner starts a new yard exactly on the hour. Managing your pacing, recovery, nutrition, and time between yards is all part of the challenge.

• Each yard starts exactly on the hour.
  During the final three minutes before the start of a new yard, warning whistles or signals will be given every minute to alert runners that the next start is approaching.
• All runners must be inside the official starting corral before the starting gong or signal is given.
• Any runner not inside the starting corral at the moment the gong or starting signal sounds will be disqualified and may not continue.
• There are no late starts and no exceptions.

More detailed information about the official Backyard Ultra format and rules can be found on the Big’s Backyard Ultra website: https://bigsbackyardultra.com/rules/

The Backyard Ultra format is intentionally simple, fair, and self-sufficient. The following rules are in place to ensure equal conditions for all participants and to maintain the spirit of the event.

• Except for the use of designated restroom facilities, competitors may not leave the course at any point until the yard is completed.
• Non-competitors are not allowed on the course at any time. This includes eliminated runners, crew members, supporters, and spectators.
• No personal aid is allowed on the course. This includes receiving drinks, food, equipment, or any other assistance from another person while on the yard. Runners must complete each yard with the same equipment they started with and may not meet with crew or supporters on the course.
• Medical assistance on the course is also considered outside aid. If urgent medical attention is required, please contact the Race Director (RD). Medical support will be arranged if necessary; however, receiving medical assistance on the course will result in elimination from the event. Basic aid and support will be available at the start/finish area.
  Each yard must be completed within the one-hour time limit to count, including the final yard.
• No artificial performance aids are permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, running poles or similar equipment that may provide an unfair advantage. Head torches/headlamps are excluded from this rule and are mandatory for any night yards.
  Runners must be present in the starting corral at the official start of each yard. Late starts are not permitted.
• The Race Director reserves the right to remove a participant from the event for medical or safety reasons at any time.

The Backyard Ultra format has a unique approach to results and finishing. The event continues until only one runner is able to complete a yard alone within the required time limit.

• The winner is the last remaining runner to successfully complete a full yard.
• All other participants are technically recorded as DNF (Did Not Finish), regardless of how many yards or kilometres they completed.
• If no runner is able to complete one more yard than the remaining competitors, there is officially no winner.
• Every runner’s individual achievement, including completed yards, distance, and total time, will still be recorded and published on the event website after the race.

In a Backyard Ultra, the focus is not only on winning, but on pushing personal limits, supporting fellow runners, and seeing how far you can go beyond what you originally thought possible.

Personal gear depends on your personal goals. If you only want to run 1 or 2 yards during the day, you won’t need most of the recommended gear.

• Lighting: A reliable head torch/headlamp with spare batteries or a backup light is essential for the night hours. Even experienced runners underestimate how mentally challenging the night section can become after several yards.

• Clothing: Depending on how many yards you plan to run, bring enough changes of socks and dry shirts. Temperatures can drop significantly during the night and early morning hours, especially once you stop moving between yards. Warm layers such as a jacket, beanie, long pants, a warm blanket, or even a sleeping bag are highly recommended to help maintain your core temperature and recover between loops.

• Footwear: Lightweight trail running shoes are generally recommended, especially if conditions become sandy or uneven. However, most runners can comfortably complete the BYU in their normal road running shoes as well. Having a second pair of shoes available can also be helpful during longer efforts or wet conditions.

• Nutrition & Hydration: A hydration vest, handheld bottles, or an easily accessible personal hydration setup is strongly recommended, together with a wide variety of nutrition options, electrolytes, recovery snacks, and morale-boosting comfort food. Backyard Ultras are self-sufficient events, and each participant is fully responsible for their own hydration, nutrition, and recovery before, during, and after each yard.

Because runners return to the same basecamp area after every yard, having a comfortable and practical setup can make a big difference throughout the event. Especially when you want to run a longer distance or when you want to stay longer as a spectator.

• Shelter: A small gazebo, or simple shade setup is good for protection from the sun and to create a comfortable recovery space between yards.
• Seating & Recovery: A comfortable camping chair, camp cot, or stretcher is useful to relax and recover between loops. 
• Electronics: Bring a power bank, charging cables, and any chargers needed for your watch, phone, headlamp, or other devices. Even if most runners may not continue into the night, a reliable light source is still recommended as a backup.
• Cooling & Comfort: Maun temperatures can still become very warm during the day. Cooler boxes with ice, cold drinks, towels, and extra water can make recovery between yards much more comfortable.

The Backyard Ultra is officially an individual event where every runner competes against themselves, the clock, and the remaining runners. However, to make the event even more social and fun, we also offer an unofficial Team / Club Challenge.

• Participants can enter a team or club name during registration. Once 3 runners enter the exact same team name (please make sure spelling is identical), they will automatically be grouped together in the Team / Club Challenge. There are no additional entry fees.
• The Team / Club Challenge is purely for fun, motivation, and club spirit and is not part of the official Backyard Ultra rules or results.
• Each runner still runs their own individual Backyard Ultra. The total number of yards (loops) completed by all team members will simply be added together for the team standings.
• If one team member stops, the remaining runners can continue as long as they want. Every additional yard still counts for the team.

Whether you come with a running club, a group of friends, colleagues, or just want some extra motivation around camp — the Team / Club Challenge adds another fun layer to the Backyard Ultra experience.