Bristol Backyard Ultra

Bristol Backyard Ultra - Last One Standing

It’s finally here, the "Backyard" format lands in Bristol. No finish line, no time limit, just one simple, brutal question asked every hour on the hour: Can you go again?

Hosted by the team at Gravel & Grit Events, the Bristol Backyard Ultra brings the relentless format made famous by Lazarus Lake to the historic grounds of the Blaise Castle Estate. It is a race where speed is irrelevant, and mental stubbornness is king. Whether you are hunting for a "Last One Standing" title or simply aiming to push past your previous distance PB, this is the perfect arena to find your limit.

Backyard Ultra Format

If you are new to the Backyard format, the rules are beautifully simple but deceptively hard:

The Loop: A 4.167-mile (6.7km) trail route.

The Time: You must complete the loop within 60 minutes.

The Rest: Whatever time you have left within that hour is yours to eat, sleep, change socks, or question your life choices.

The Bell: At the start of the next hour, the bell rings. If you are in the starting corral, you go again. If you aren't, your race is over.

This repeats. Hour after hour. Night and day. The race only ends when one solitary runner completes a final solo lap. Everyone else, whether they ran 20 miles or 100 miles, receives a DNF (Did Not Finish).

Course

Bristol Backyard Ultra takes place on the woodland and parkland trails of Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol. The 4.167 mile (6.7km) loop is fully marked and easy to follow, but runners should expect a genuinely challenging course featuring hills, uneven terrain, roots, rocks and a steep downhill section that becomes increasingly demanding as the hours pass. With approximately 160m of elevation gain per lap, this is a tougher and more technical Backyard Ultra than many traditional road or gravel-based formats.

Support & Basecamp

The Bristol Backyard Ultra is a self-supported event. Runners are responsible for their own nutrition, kit and recovery strategy. Basecamp becomes central to the experience, a place to refuel, reset and decide whether you are ready to line up again.

On site there will be toilets, designated event car parking, a clearly defined start and finish corral, space for personal support crews, and nearby amenities including a café, playground, and green space for friends and family who come to support.

While one runner will ultimately stand alone, this event is about far more than winning. Built around Gravel & Grit’s core values of inclusivity, integrity and community, the Bristol Backyard Ultra welcomes runners of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Ready to step up to the start line? Visit the race website for the latest up-to-date info.