Enjoy our Backyard!

If you can run 6,7 km in less than an hour, the Iceland Backyard Ultra is for you! How many loops you run... well, that is up to you :)

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What is a Backyard Ultra?

Backyard runs are a special kind of Ultra runs where participants need to finish running 6,706 meters (4,167 miles) within the hour. Each loop starts at the hour and after the runners finish a loop they can use the remaining time to rest and prepare for the next loop. The winner is the last person to complete a loop. If no runner can complete one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.

The total distance for a runner that finishes 24 loops (24 hours) is 100 miles (160.8 km).

Iceland Backyard Ultra

A new loop starts every hour on the hour. It´s crucial that all who intend to continue with the next loop are at the starting line when the final bell rings. The participant that runs most loops and finishes the last loop by himself, is the winner. Everybody else gets a DNF!

The competition is not about speed. The setup encourages runners to enjoy nature and the company of fellow runners (you can run each loop with a new set of friendly runners). In between loops runners can recover, nourish and enjoy a unique runners party. The last one to leave the party WINS!

An aid station and inside facilities for runners will be at the starting line by Elliðavatnsbær. At and around the faciltiy, there will be a fun atmosphere throughout the course of the competition.

Employees and volunteers from Arctic Running/Náttúruhlaup will be at the location, assisting runners and keeping the party going!

The Iceland Backyard Ultra follows the rules of Backyard Ultras (http://backyardultra.com/rules/).

INFO

Location: Elliðavatnsbær, Heiðmörk (close to Reykjvík)

The trail: 6.7 km loop in Heiðmörk, starts and ends at Elliðavatnsbær

Distance: As many loops as you can handle!! (Or until you are the last person left. 2020 the winner finished 25 loops.)

Time limit: Participants have to finish each 6.7 km loop within an hour. There are no further time limits.

Final Results: All participants in the Iceland Backyard Ultra will receive a certificate with their loops and final distance registered.

The course:

Map and a gpx file of the Backyard loop

Rewards

All participants receive a DNF medal. There is also a special reward for all who finish:

4 loops (26.8 km),
8 loops (53.6 km),
12 loops (80.4 km),
15 loops (100.5 km)
24 loops (160.8 km) or more.

The winner of the Iceland Backyard Ultra will be uniquely rewarded!

Backyard Iceland Smiling runner along lake.jpg

Price:

The Náttúruhlaupa Backyard: 12,900 ISK

Registration fee will not be refunded but runners can change the name of their registration.

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What is included?

Running bib and time registration
Aid stations
Participant medal
Rewards for all who finish 4 loops or more.

Organizers: Náttúruhlaup and Arctic Running

Náttúruhlaup (Nature Running) is the the local branch of Arctic Running. While Arctic Running offer Running Tours in Iceland for visitors, Náttúruhlaup is a running community for local runners. Arctic Running/Náttúruhlaup held the Iceland Backyard Ultra for the first time in September 2020. It sold out quickly and was a huge success. We look forward to receiving you this year!