Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival
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Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival
The event is a Backyard Ultra held at High Lodge, Thetford Forest on a loop of 6.706 km (4.167 miles). Runners complete one loop every hour and the last person able to finish a loop within the hour is declared the winner under Backyard Ultra rules.
Distances and entry formats:
- Main Backyard Ultra continuous loop format
- 6 hour timed entry option with standard event setup
- 12 hour timed entry option with standard event setup
The 6 and 12 hour entries use the same course and start time as the main event but stop at the declared time; those entries do not produce a winner and are recorded as finished or DNF. For the 6 hour race the minimum age is 12, and a parent or guardian must be onsite with an emergency contact provided. Chip timing is used and prize money is announced for the winner (example amounts: £500 for 2027; £1,000 was offered in 2026).
Course and facilities: the route is wide, flat, mostly gravel or grass, firm underfoot with good drainage and only one small hill; it is fully signed. There is a single aid station at the start/finish area supplying water and basic snacks until vendor departure; a cooking station and periodic hot food provision are available later in the event. Onsite facilities include catering vendors, portaloos and urinals, two camping areas with free camping for runners and crews, no Friday night camping, and restricted tent sizes. There is no mains power and signal is patchy; a limited charging station and public Starlink wifi are provided.
Race rules follow official Backyard Ultra guidelines: loops must meet the distance standard, starts occur on the hour, competitors must complete each loop to continue, eliminated runners are classed as DNF, and the course is open-ended for the main Backyard Ultra. Media will record photos and video for future use; participants may request not to be filmed. The organiser offers tiered entry discounts based on recent Backyard performance and awards for past official race winners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
