Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival
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About the race
The Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival at High Lodge Thetford Forest is a backyard ultra run organised by Challenge Running Ltd. Competitors run repeated laps of 4.167 miles (4 miles 880 feet, 6.7056 km) each hour. Each loop must be completed within one hour and the last runner to complete a loop is declared the winner. Chip timing is used and the advertised winner prize for 2027 is £500; prize money listed for 2026 was £1,000.
The event offers three entry formats
- Full event open ended backyard ultra
- 12 hour timed option with no winner
- 6 hour timed option with no winner age limit 12 with guardian onsite
There is one aid station at the start and finish area providing water and basic snacks while on site vendors and the nearby High Lodge cafes supply hot food and drinks. Onsite facilities include a coffee vendor, a food van, portaloos and two camping areas. Camping is free for runners and crews but no cooking is allowed in or around tents. There is no mains power and signal can be patchy so limited charging and public wifi are available.
The route is wide and mostly flat with firm drainage, mostly gravel or grass footpaths and one small hill. Organisers offer discounts for experienced Backyard runners based on past yard totals and allow media coverage and volunteer roles. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
