Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival
Knettishall, United Kingdom • 6 Jun 2026
Event overview
The Suffolk Back Yard Ultra Festival is a backyard ultra event held at High Lodge, Thetford Forest in Suffolk and organised by Challenge Running Ltd. The main open-ended race uses chip timing and offers a £1000 prize for the winner. For 2026 there are additional timed entry options of 6 hours and 12 hours; these use the same setup but finish at their time limit and will not have winners or prizes. Entries close 14 days before race day. A flat parking fee of £10 is available for runners and crews covering the event period; this must be purchased in advance.
Format and practical information
- 4.167 miles (also described as 4 miles 880 feet; metric 6.7056 km)
The event follows Backyard Ultra rules: competitors run the loop each hour and must complete each loop within the hour to continue; the last person to complete a loop is the winner. There is a single aid station at the start/finish area providing water and basic snacks, with vendors and nearby cafes supplying hot food while they operate. After vendor hours the organisers run a cooking station and shared stove area for crews. Camping for runners and crews is free with two designated camping areas; tent sizes should be kept small and open-fire or stove cooking is prohibited near tents. Portable toilets are provided. There is no mains power and site signal is patchy; a limited charging station and public wifi are available. Crews have no formal limit but organisers ask they be kept to a minimum; media will record photos and video and may use them afterward. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.