The concept is simple, you start on the hour every hour and have to run and complete a 4.167 mile trail route in that time.
The concept may be simple, the rules are simple, But It’s only easy till it isn’t!
You must run the loop and be back ready to start the next loop or you are out, the race continues until there is only one person who can complete a loop that nobody else completes within the hour.
They are the then Winner of the Suffolk Back Yard Ultra, everybody else is a DNF.
The winners gets £500 as a prize, a great incentive to keep going when we are down to a few last warriors.
This format is hugely successful all over the world and originated in the USA.
See the Backyard Website
This race is a silver ticket race for the 2026 National Team Championships event in October 2026
If you get a high enough number of yards you may qualify for an at large place on the UK team in October or the Big’s Individual World Champs 2027.
Dates
Entries for 2025 now open! – June 7th 2025
(Click the link below (please note the policies and refunds changes see our POLICIES page for more)
2025 will be a maximum of 500 entries. This will reduce naturally to 450 or less by the event day.
If the event fills we will not reopen general entries unless the numbers drop below 250.
Please also look at our other September 2025 Thetford Backyard Ultra
Timings
08:00 Arrival, Parking and registration for runners
11:30 Race Briefing
Race Start 12pm Sharp.
Finish…Sometime after the start.
Location
Thetford Forest, High Lodge, Brandon IP27 0AF
The event field is located here just past the Oak Lodge which is signed from the main area or follow signs to the Heritage Trail.
The car park will open at 8am for access to the event, it’s a short walk to the event field (see map) and you will need to carry or trolley your kit to the field. There will be no crew/runner vehicles allowed onto the field.
Parking is camera and barrier controlled, we have arranged a flat fee of £10 to cover any vehicle that comes to the event for the duration of the vehicles stay between the start and finish of the event. Visitors/Spectators coming and going during the event may need to pay the regular daily rates charged by high lodge. We will confirm parking arrangements closer to the event.
Route
The route is a single loop of forest footpaths and almost flat apart from one main hill and small undulations. Underfoot is mostly flat sandy soil and drains well even after heavy rainfall, its mostly tree lined so sheltered from the wind also. It’s mostly wide gravel tracks and hard packed dirt with no gates or bottlenecks so should be great for space to spread out and run at your own pace.
There is a video of the route in the media section at the bottom of this section, above is the route map.
The course is exactly 6.7km as measured by several different GPS devices with an average of all three on several runs taken. There is minimal elevation on each loop.
Highlight video of the course below as I checked it out on my bike for one of my measuring runs. It should show the terrain and trail conditions expected.
Checkpoints
There is only one aid location and that is at the start/finish of each loop, no aid or supporters allowed onto the course to assist runners in any way. This includes moral support and checking on tired runners later in the race, you risk a DQ for your runner if you go out onto the course to see them during the race.
The race will provide the following for the runners, including those who have crews.
Hot water, Basic sweet and savory snacks, Cold water, Tea and coffee, pot noodles and similar foods like porridge pots, cereal bars. There will be options for Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free (if needed).
Crews are expected to supply own foods and snacks, there is a cold and hot water supply on site provided by us and this can be used by crews also.
No cooking, heating of water or Stoves/BBQ’s allowed on the event field, including in tents. We will provide hot water for crews to heat food with and a supervised central area where stoves can be used, no use of stoves of any kind outside this set up cooking area. This is a safety rule as it’s a dry forest area, the rule is to prevent fires in the forest.
There will be fire extinguishers at the cooking area and each side of the camping areas.
There will be an area for runners without crews to place bags and chairs under a shelter right beside the finish of the loop.
Facilities / General Info
We will have 8 portaloos on site including one urinal unit and one suitable for disabled/Baby Change, and water and additional toilets will be available in the main toilet block by the car park, crews are requested to use the onsite toilets rather than the portaloos where possible especially during periods on the hour and just before the start of laps when runners will most need them.
Please take your rubbish home with you as we have no bins in the park and we do not want to overload the park bins, please bring bin bags for this purpose. We can not dispose of all the event rubbish plus your personal rubbish.
We have to skip all our own event rubbish away which is expensive so please take your rubbish home.
There will be shelter to stand under between loops if it’s wet and you will have space to camp and set up gazebo’s and tents on the camping area next to the start line.
Basic foods in the food tent, see checkpoint info below.
Free Hot and cold drinks and basic cold food during the event, see checkpoint info below.
We will have a coffee/food vendor on Saturday and Sunday for Crews/Runners/Visitors
Free Camping and parking for volunteers, crews and runners. See further down.
Runners and Crew Parking
(In the Car Parks only) – Only event team vehicles will be allowed onto the event field.
Visitors/Volunteers Parking in the the Car Parks Only and are subject to fees unless registered as per runners vehicles.
Camping/Arriving
Runners can arrive to register from 8am on the Saturday morning and there will be space to pitch tents/gazebo’s behind and around the start finish area. Groups such as running clubs can pitch gazebos for their teams. Space close to the start/finish line is on a 1st come 1st served basis. Please keep walkways clear and allow space to walk between tents. We will have people managing the camping areas and if they ask you to move your tent you must do so.
There will be a sheltered area for runners to rest between loops if it’s wet and an area for runners without tents or shelters to place bags close to the start. Please bring your own folding chair as we will only have spares for the travelling runners who can’t bring them on public transport or from abroad.
Dogs are not allowed on the event field with runners or with crew, we know it’s a dog walking place and public will have dogs around the park but we can’t have them on the field due to issues such as: Dogs can not camp on the field but can walk around the forest.
(Allergies, fear of dogs, dogs reacting to other dogs and other people and hygiene issues in a small area). If your friends spectating bring a dog they must stay outside the camping field/Food areas and be on a lead.
There is no electricity or power of any kind on site. Generators are not allowed. We will have a central point with a charging station and generator. Please bring powerbanks for phones etc. This facility is not to charge up Ipads or similar thing but just for runners phones/crew phones.
We only have portaloos and no showers.
No spectators on course allowed during the event. No support of any kind either physical or emotional is allowed on the loop. We know it’s a public footpath and park but these are the Backyard Event Rules worldwide and we don’t want to DQ any runner for having support out on course. Spectating only from the start/finish area and the car park just before the finish area.
Timing/Tracking
The race will have timings provided by our timing partner Timing Monkey and we will update the timing link just before the race.
The race will also have a live stream from the start/finish of the loop provided by our media team from Film My Run via the link below.
Live Link results posted below and live before race day
Kit List
There is no specific kit list, the only item that is compulsory during hours of darkness in a headtorch of at least 100 lumens. We will ask for this from 8pm onwards until 6am.
However please wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, if we think you are unsafe we will address this with you.
No Poles or other walking/running aids. Stick count as poles!
Entry
You Must be 18 or over on race day to enter this event.
To register for the 2025 Suffolk Back Yard Ultra, please click the button below.
Entry Limit 500 – This is the maximum number of entries we can accept – We will have a waiting list if we reach that-
Closing date end of May 2025 or when Full
The cost of entry varies based on how early you enter, discounts for early entry.
(There is also a 5% admin charge for processing the payment on the entry system imposed by transaction costs from our banking/payment systems)
Pricing is as follows:
Until end of June 2024
Early Bird Price – £100 each
Until entries close
Full Price – £120 each
Elite Backyard Runners
We want our races to be the most competitive races in the UK and this will help us push for new records and get the best race results we can for everyone. So we offer 25 discounted reserved places for those who have proven past performances.
These places are on a first come, first served basis and once all 25 spaces are used then we will charge full rate for any additional spaces regardless of number of yards. We may still add elite runners when the event is full but at full cost.
If you have a performance greater than 40 yards in the last 2 years anywhere in the world we want you at our event. We want you to help us push the race towards 100 yards!
If you have done 40 yards or more we will offer you a 25% discount on your entry fee. You must still enter as normal if there are spaces left. If the race is already full we will guarantee you a space at the event.
If you have done 45 yards or more we will offer a 50% discount and offer you a guaranteed entry space even if the race is full.
If you have done 50 yards or more we will give you a 75% Discount and guarantee a space for you at the event even if the race is full. The 25% you pay just covers the dogtag and expenses.
Please email us at admin@challenge-running.com with evidence of your previous results to claim these discounts.
FAQ’s
Can I use walking/running poles?
No, poles or any other physical aids are not allowed.
Can I have support out along the course?
No the only assistance you can have is between loops at the race HQ
Can we bring a BBQ or light a fire on the field?
No the only cooking method allowed is a small camping stove and it can only be used in the provided supervised cooking area.
Can we bring a generator for powering phones etc?
No we try to limit pollution and noise as it’s a nature reserve, power banks or similar are you best option.
How far from the car park to the race field?
About 200-400m
How far is the tent area from the start area?
About 10-100m depending on where you pitch your shelter.
Can you pick us up from a local hotel? or other location other than the train station?
No you are responsible for your own travel arrangements and we are busy setting up the race.
Can we stay on Friday night as we have a long way to travel?
Sorry no as we are busy setting up the event and only the race team is allowed to be onsite on Friday
Will there be space for those without crew to sit close to the start corral?
Yes we will have a few small gazebos set up with chairs under them but space will be limited and we recommend you bring a chair, this space is best suited to travellers from abroad who may not be able to bring a tent. We can not reserve a seat or space here.
Can you supply any items for travellers from abroad such as tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat or chair etc?
We have a few small tents and some spare mats and sleeping bags from other events but they are limited and and we would make a small charge for their use. Please use the contact form to ask us about these.
Are there shops or supermarkets nearby to the campsite?
Yes, the town of Brandon has supermarkets and takeaways.
Is there any heated indoor space for runners?
No, we are in a field.
Is there any power onsite?
No, please bring power banks or batteries.
What is the mobile signal like?
The signal on all networks can be patchy, the car park has better signal but do not expect fast speeds on your mobile.
Are there bins onsite for rubbish?
No, the park have no bins we can use and we only have a small skip for race rubbish so please where possible take your own rubbish home with you. We will have bin bags on site for food rubbish etc but please do not dups tents and chairs on us after the event as it costs us money to have commercial waste removed.
Will there be food/drinks on the site?
Runners will have hot water/cold water/drinks and basic foods supplied. The site during the day has it’s own cafes and shops. We will have a coffee/food vendor available ob Saturday and Sunday.
Rules
Nobody likes rules but we have to have some, here are the basic rules for this event.
- You must be at the start on time to start the event, if you are late you are DNS.
- There is a start corral that will be marked and you must be standing inside it when the lap starts, if you are not you will be DNF. There will be a whistle blown at 3,2 and 1 minute before the start of your wave so no excuses for not being there on time.
- You must complete each loop before the clock reaches the next hour, for example 9:59:59 is ok 10:00:00 is DNF
- You must start each loop land cross the line within 30 seconds if the start whistle or you are DNF
- You can not visit your tent or be assisted in anyway after you start a loop or you will be DQ’d This includes handed or handing off bottles or food or kit.
- To be the Winner you must start and finish a solo loop that no-one else completes. If someone refuses to start a final loop you must do one clear solo loop to win. If 2 of you are out on a loop and one is timed out then you win without doing an extra one.
- Only loops completed within the time limit count for distance or time.
- The decision of the Race Director, Lindley is Final.
- Getting stuff from your tent, having a wee or eating are all out of your time and the event continues no matter what. If you are not at the start on time you are out.
- No support on the course of any kind, physical or emotional. If your crew or supporters go out onto the course at any point to support you or spectate then you risk DQ.
Simple Rules Simple Race
Prizes/Medals/T-Shirts
There will be the option of a T_Shirt on entry for £10.00
All runners except the winner gets a DNF Dogtag.
The Man or Woman who wins outright gets a trophy and no DNF Memento (they did not DNF)
The winner gets £500.
There will be Prizes for furthest Male and Female runners from our event sponsors
www.myfenix.co.uk Who are Supplying 2 x HM65T headtorches.
If you use the code “CHALLENGE2024″” in their online store you will get 15% off.
For all those that DNF you will get a memento of your run and your failure to be the last one standing at the Suffolk Back Yard. Only one person will not get A dog tag.
The dog tag can be worn to remind you, hang it like a medal or make into a keyring if you like.
Volunteering
We could not run an event like this without a great team of volunteers.
See below for the list of roles and timings where we need people, if you can help even for a short time please use our form on our volunteering page to contact us and we will get you on the team. It’s a great way to see the event up close and earn free places on our events.
Results
https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/SBYU/
https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/SBYU21/
https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/SBYU23/
Media
We will aim to livestream the finish line during the event, the link will be shared on our fb page during the event https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeRunning
See the trailer for the record breaking race below, the movie can be rented from Vimeo direct.
Winner of the 2022 Sheffield Adventure Film Festival