Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival

Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival

The event is a backyard ultra held at High Lodge Thetford Forest in Suffolk. Competitors run a loop of 4.167 miles each hour and must complete each loop within the hour; the main open event continues until one runner completes one more loop than all others. Chip timing is used and the main event carries a £1,000 prize.

There are timed options of 6 and 12 hours with the same course setup. Timed entries are limited to their chosen duration and will be recorded as DNF if they continue beyond that limit; these timed races do not carry prizes. The 6 hour entry has a lower age limit of 12 years, with a parent or guardian required to be onsite and an emergency contact provided.

The route is wide and mostly flat through forest, mostly on gravel or grass footpaths with one small hill. The start area includes a single aid station supplying hot and cold water and basic snacks; evening catering is provided by onsite vendors and a coffee and food van. Runners and crews may camp for free in two designated fields; tent sizes should be kept small and cooking near tents is not permitted. There is no mains power and signal can be patchy; a limited charging station and public starlink wifi are available.

Parking is arranged at a flat fee for the event and the site has an evening gate closure. Organisers offer discounts based on recent backyard performance, and records on the course include a women's mark of 61 yards (2023) and a men's mark of 88 yards (2024). Volunteers and a media team support the event. Key race rules require competitors to be in the starting corral at the bell, to complete each loop within the hour, and to avoid outside assistance while on a loop. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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