Backyard Ultra
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ONE MORE LAP
If you've never heard of a "Backyard Ultra" before ... prepare to be captivated by this fantastic new race format. All participants - starting together - have up to one hour to complete a 6.7km loop. If they complete it in time, they rest, recover, then line up ready to do it again on the next hour. Over and over again. If they don't make it to the finish line within the hour ... their race is over.
The Mighty Totara Backyard Ultra has an absolute limit of 24 hours. In 2023, the Last One Standing completed 21 laps of the course - over 140km. Will anyone make it to end ... running a total of ONE HUNDRED MILES ... and claim the most exclusive of finisher medals ... a 24 Hour Halo?
If talk of running 100 miles sounds just a little bit crazy, don't worry. Not everyone in the Backyard Ultra is hell bent on such epic levels of suffering. The "Backyard 10" and "Backyard 5" categories let you get involved in this awesome new race format, but with slightly more modest goals (plus you save some $$$s on the entry fee). The Backyard 10 allows for up to 10 laps (67km) whilst the Backyard 5 is half that amount. So ... what's your poison?
Make the 2024 Mighty Totara your new "LRE" (longest run ever)!
The Course
The Backyard Ultra will set off on the Day Time Course and remain there until Lap 13 ((8pm), where we will switch you to the Night Time Course (the first lap of the night time course is covered in daylight hours to get you used to the changes). The Night Time Course stays in effect until Lap 23 (6am Sunday morning) when we switch back to the Day Time course. Will anyone Backyarders still be running?
Important! Both the Day Time and the Night Time course is measured to the standards set down by the New Zealand 100 Marathons Club.
Race Info at a Glance
The Basics |
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| Race | Last One Standing (Backyard Ultra) |
| Event Date | Saturday November 30th |
| Start Time | 08:00am |
| Time Limit | 24 Hours |
| Distance | 6.7km per lap. Maximum of 24 laps = 180km / 100 miles |
| Tickets & Fees | See here page |
Event Base |
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|---|---|
| Location | Totara Park [click for google pin to start line] |
| Access & Parking | See the dedicated Getting There & Parking page. |
| Toilets | Portaloos will be located opposite the Start/Finish line in the communal rest area. |
| Overnight Stay | A place in Tent City is available to Last One Standing and Backyard 10 entrants. See the dedicated Tent City page for more information. |
On Course |
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|---|---|
| Course Map | Race on Day Time Course | except, Lap 13 (8pm) -> Lap 22 (5am) race on Night Time Course |
| Directions | Look out for our directional arrows at all turns and intersections. There are no marshals on course and we reccommend carrying a mobile phone at all times in case you get lost or encounter another issue. |
| Overtaking | Please be courteous and move to the side on narrow trail sections when faster runners approach from behind. With relay runners and "Just Run" athletes on course, you are likely to be passed and pass other more often than you may expect. |
| Pedestrians & Dogs | Please be respectful of other users of the park, they are entitled to be there just as much as you are. Look out for dog walkers and their four-legged sidekicks, particularly where the course skirts the Botanic Gardens, which is a designed dog walking area. |
| Toilets | Portaloos at the event base can be accessed at the start and finish of each lap. A well appointed set of modern public toilet block with three enclosed units is available in the picnic area near the park entrance (approx. 2km into the lap). |
| Aid Stations | Backyard Ultra participants - particularly those in Tent City - should bring enough food and drink with them to see them through the event. However, unmanned refill station - for water only - is situated at the 4km mark (half way around the lap). We will make best efforts to keep this station fully stocked throughout the event but you should not plan your race nutrition around this. Another refill station is available at the end of each lap where you can refill your bottles with water or PURE sport drink. There are no cups provided at this event ... you must bring your own water containers. |
| Race Rules | Backyard Ultra participants must complete each lap in under one hour. As soon as you fail to do this, you are out of the competition. Any laps completed in longer than an hour and partially completed laps are not counted. Due to the narrow tracks, we do not allow nordic poles in this event. During Night Time rules, you must use a head torch and carry a mobile phone. You must not be accompanied by any non-participant, with the exception of Night Time for safety- see here. |
Awards & Results |
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| Results | 2024 results will be here and updated live throughout the event. Scan the QR code on your race number to be taken directly to your personal result page. |
| Scoring | All Backyard Ultra entrants (including Backyard 10 and Backyard 5) are scored together in the Last One Standing competition. Rankings calculated on 1/ most laps completed and 2/ time taken for last lap. More details here. |
| Merit Awards | Trophy to first place overall Male & Female. Silver "Last One Standing" trophy presented to any participant who completes one more lap than all others (within 24 hr time limit) |
| Participation Awards | Beautiful 2024 Mighty Totara medal to all participants who complete at least one lap. 50k Halo for those who complete Lap 8. Upgrade to 100k Halo for those who complete Lap 15 Updgrade to 100 Mile Halo for those who complete the final lap (Lap 24). More details here. |
Are you ready to record your LRE? ...
... mighty achievements happen at the Mighty Totara.