Moturoa Backyard Ultra
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Moturoa Backyard Ultra
Moturoa Backyard Ultra is the first edition of a backyard ultramarathon held on 12 September 2026 at Rough Island, Nelson. The event uses a measured loop of 6.706 km that competitors repeat, with each new lap scheduled to start on the hour.
A Backyard Ultra format requires each runner to complete their lap within the hour and be ready to start the next lap on the hour. If a runner does not finish a lap within the hour or does not start the next lap they are recorded as a DNF. The event continues until a single runner completes a lap alone, who is recorded as the sole finisher and winner. If no runner completes a final lap on their own there is no winner.
Entries open from 1 June, the entry fee is $50, and entries are limited to 250 participants. The event is self supported: there are no aid stations on the course and runners may not receive aid or support from others while on the course. Poles and other artificial aids are not permitted. Except for toilet stops, runners must remain on the course until a lap is completed; a toilet is located about 4 km into the loop and another at the event village.
Parking is available in designated areas near the event village and additional car parks are located around the island requiring a walk to the village. At registration entrants are allocated a tent area for their support crew. Rough Island is accessible via a gate that opens at sunrise and closes at dusk; if a runner does not complete a lap overnight, periodic escorts off the island may be provided. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
