Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival
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Event overview
The Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival is a backyard ultra held at High Lodge, Thetford Forest in Suffolk and organised by Challenge Running Ltd. Competitors run a loop of 4.167 miles (6.7056 km) each hour; each loop must be completed within the hour. The main open-ended event uses chip timing and carries a £1,000 prize for the winner. There are also timed options with fixed limits of 6 hours and 12 hours; those timed races use the same setup but have no winner or prizes and competitors will be recorded as DNF if they continue past their chosen time limit.
Entry, age and discounts
Entry prices vary by event option. The 6-hour option is open to entrants aged 12 and over, provided a parent or guardian is always onsite and an emergency contact number is provided. The full and timed events are open to adult entrants. Discount tiers apply for experienced backyard runners based on past yards completed (25%, 50%, 75% at specified thresholds) and past backyard winners may receive a free place.
Course, facilities and logistics
The route is described as wide and flat through forest, mostly gravel or grass footpaths with one small hill and full signage. There is a single aid station at the start/finish area; until Sunday evening it provides hot and cold water plus basic snacks, with onsite vendors and nearby High Lodge cafes for hot food. Camping for runners and crews is free across two camping areas with restrictions on tent size and no cooking or stoves near tents. There is no mains power and signal is patchy; a limited charging station and public starlink wifi will be available. Parking for runners and crews carries a flat fee and site access is restricted overnight.
Key rules
The event follows Backyard Ultra rules: loop length requirements, start-at-the-bell procedure, one-hour loop limit, no personal aid during a loop (common aid stations allowed), and the winner is the last competitor to complete a loop. Specific event rules require presence in the starting corral at the bell, no crew in the corral at starts, no cutting corners, and ringing the event bell when a competitor DNFs. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
