Race planning
Plan Arrowtown Backyard Ultra
Use the listed edition as your starting point. Each tool keeps imported race facts separate from the targets and assumptions you choose.
Edition notes: The fourth edition starts at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Entry is $220 through Webscorer, plus a 3% surcharge for card payments. On October 20 Webscorer showed 151 registrations and said the event was 94% full; registration closes at 11:59 PM NZDT on Friday, November 6. Big’s Backyard Ultra lists a capacity of 150 and says the race sold out in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Big’s race page labels it “Bronze”.
- Listed edition
- Nov 7, 2026
- Format
- Backyard Ultra
- Distance
- 6.71 km every hour
- Local start time
- 9:00 AM Saturday, November 7 (NZDT)
- Duration / cutoff
- Each 6.71 km yard must be finished within the hour; no fixed overall finish. Runners not in the starting corral for the next yard are recorded as DNF. Warning sounds go off 3, 2 and 1 minutes before each start, but are quieter between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM because of noise restrictions. If no runner completes one more yard than everyone else, there is no winner.
- Crew and pacers
- All support must be given in the event village between yards; runners may not receive food, drink or other support from others during a yard, including just after the start. Supporters and eliminated runners may not go on the course. No pacing, and no trekking poles or other artificial aids.
- Drop bags
- Check the current race rules
Recorded facts reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Check the organizer’s latest rules. Calendar downloads use all-day dates and do not set a starting alarm.
Pace & duration
Choose a distance target. Choose a planning duration; this race has no single recorded time limit to import.
Gear checklist
Start with the matching format checklist. Add the organizer’s mandatory gear.
Crew & drop bags
Bring across the race name. Add confirmed access points, distances and your own arrival estimates.
Planning hourly yards? Use the backyard calculator for loop pace and time between starts.