12th September 2026

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Come join us for the very first Moturoa Backyard Ultra on 12 September at Rough Island, Nelson. The scenic course features a 6.706 km loop, starting every hour on the hour.

A celebration of distance. Challenge yourself to run as many laps as you can—push your limits, go further than you thought possible, or keep going to be the last runner standing and claim the title of Moturoa Backyard Ultra Champion.

What is a Backyard Ultra?

A Backyard Ultra is an ultramarathon where participants repeatedly run laps of a 6.706 km (4.167 mile) course, starting a new lap every hour.

Each runner must complete their lap within the hour and be ready to start the next lap on the hour; if they fail to do so, they are recorded as a DNF (Did Not Finish). The event continues until only one runner remains to completes lap, that runner is recorded as the sole finisher and winner.

The 6.706 km distance is set so that 24 laps equals 100 miles. Backyard Ultras are known for being mentally and physically challenging but also very social and inclusive, with runners of a wide range of abilities taking part.

Course Maps

Race Details

Entries open

1st June

Entry fee

Schedule - Saturday 12th

Tent setup and Registration - 6am
Race briefing - 8:45am
Start - 9am

Rules

All Runners must run the designated 6.706km course and complete the lap within the hour.
Each lap starts on the hour every hour and continues until 1 runner completes a solo lap.
Runners must be in the starting corral ready to start each lap.
A warning will be given with 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute prior to start.
If a runner fails to complete a lap within the hour or does not start the next lap they are given a DNF and cannot resume.
If no one completes a final lap on their own, there is no winner.
If you decide to not go on or fail to complete a lap within the hour you must report to the start line caravan.
Runners cannot receive aid or support from others on the course.
Runners cannot use poles or other artificial aids.
With the exception of toilet stops, runners cannot leave the course until the lap is completed. There is a toilet approx. 4km round and at the event village.
This is a self supported event, there are no aid stations on the course.

Event Village and Parking

Parking is available only in the designated areas near the event village. Additional car parks are located around the island, but these will require a walk to reach the village.

At registration entrants will be allocated a designated tent area for their support crew, providing a base between laps*

Rough Island is accessible via a gate that opens at sunrise and closes at dusk. If you are running overnight and do not complete a lap (DNF), you will be required to remain on the island until the gate reopens in the morning. Access through the gate outside of these hours will only be permitted in emergency situations.

*Size will be dependent on how many laps you plan to do.

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