Thetford Back Yard Ultra
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Event format
The Thetford Back Yard Ultra Festival is a Backyard Ultra held at High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Suffolk. Competitors run a loop of 4.167 miles (course specification also given as 4 miles 880 feet / 6.7056 km) every hour on the hour. The event continues until only one person completes a loop within the one-hour limit; loops not completed before the next hour are a DNF. Chip timing is used for results. A £250 prize and free entry to the organiser's summer Backyard Ultra are offered to the winner of the full event. New for 2026, there are timed options of six and twelve hours; those entrants cannot continue past their time limit and there will be no winner or prizes in those timed races. The six-hour option has a lowered minimum age of 12, with a parent or guardian required to be onsite and their emergency contact provided. The twelve-hour and full-event entries require entrants to be 18 or over.
Venue and logistics
The route is mostly wide, flat and firm underfoot through forest, with mostly gravel or grass footpaths and one small hill; it will be signed. There is one aid station at the start/finish offering hot and cold water for crews and basic sweet and savoury snacks, plus a supervised cooking area. Portable toilets will be provided near the camping areas. Camping for runners and crews is free across two camping zones; tent placement is allocated on arrival. There is no mains power onsite and signal is patchy; a limited charging station will be available. Parking is available for a flat fee and a higher fee applies for on-arrival purchases. The event uses volunteers and a photographer will be present. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
