One loop every hour
Each yard starts on the hour. Finish inside the hour and you can start the next one.
Bristol Backyard Ultra 2027
Race information for runners, crews, and spectators.
Everything practical in one place: the route, rules, basecamp setup, parking, crew guidance, kit advice, and useful downloads.
Event essentials
The core details.
The Bristol Backyard Ultra is a last-runner-standing trail race at Blaise Castle Estate. Runners complete one 4.167 mile loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains.
Elevation each lap
A punchy Bristol trail course with grass, woodland path, roots, rocks, and a concrete section.
Entries are open
The next edition returns to Blaise Castle Estate. Entry is handled through Race Nation.
Course
A hard, brutally honest Backyard Ultra course.
The route is a 4.167 mile / 6.7km loop around Blaise Castle Estate, with approximately 160m of elevation gain per lap. This is not a fast, flat Backyard Ultra. The loop winds through woodland trails, open fields, rocky sections, roots, grass, around 1.5km of concrete path, and the technical descent down Dynamite Hill.
It is a characterful, hilly, and at times technical route that rewards patience more than speed. Come expecting a proper Bristol challenge, not an easy rolling loop.
The interactive route map could not be loaded in this browser.
Race weekend in context
The route, the reset, and the people around you.
Backyard Ultra is not just the loop. It is the repeated return to basecamp, the help between yards, and the choice to go again when the hour comes round.
Rules
Simple rules, hard race.
The Backyard Ultra format is easy to understand and difficult to master. The race keeps going until there is one last runner standing.
How each yard works
- Every runner starts each loop on the hour.
- You must complete the full marked course within the hour.
- If you are not in the start corral when the next hour begins, your race is over.
- There is no fixed finish distance or finish time.
Support and fairness
- No support is allowed out on the course.
- Support is allowed only at basecamp between loops.
- No artificial aids or shortcuts.
- The winner must complete one more full yard than everyone else.
Basecamp
Your reset point between loops.
Basecamp is the heart of the event: where runners refuel, crews support, supporters gather, and each new hour begins.
Facilities
- Toilets
- Event parking
- Fully stocked aid station
- Hot and cold water
- Marked start and finish corral
Crew and spectators
Friends, family, and support crews are welcome. Crew access is easy, and solo runners can use the Crewless Crew support area.
Parking and kit movement
Vehicles cannot enter the event village. The car park is around 200m from basecamp, so arrive with enough time to move kit. There is no limit on camp size or kit.
Kit
Bring enough to look after yourself for a long race.
The exact mix is personal, but the course and format reward runners who are prepared for changing weather, overnight running, and repeated resets.
Recommended runner kit
- Trail shoes with suitable grip
- Waterproof layer and warm layers
- Spare socks, spare shoes, and dry clothing
- Headtorch and spare batteries for overnight loops
Basecamp comfort
- Chair, small shelter, or mat
- Personal nutrition and hydration
- Warm clothing for between-loop resets
- Any preferred medical or blister-care items
Still deciding?
Check the FAQs or enter the next edition.
If you need the finer details, the FAQ page groups the most common runner, crew, spectator, and entry questions in one place.