Event Overview
| Date | Oct 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | A&P Showgrounds, Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand |
| Format | Backyard Ultra |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Region | Oceania |
| Distance / duration | 6.7 km every hour |
| Course model | Loop |
| Edition note | The fourth edition starts at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, over Labour Weekend. Entry is free and registration on Webscorer closes at 8:59 PM NZDT on Wednesday, October 21; on October 20 Webscorer showed 307 registrations across the backyard and the Kids Classic. Big’s Backyard Ultra lists a capacity of 250. Big’s race listing still gives the record as 37 yards (Fiona Hayvice, 2024); the council’s 2025 race report and Yardlore show Glenn Tomlinson won the 2025 edition with 43 yards, so 43 is the current course record. The organizer’s rules page is still dated for the 2024 race. |
| Elevation gain | About 30 ft (9 m) per loop |
| Cutoff | Each 6.7 km yard must be finished within the hour, including the last one; no fixed overall finish. Runners must be in the starting corral when the bell goes, with warning whistles 3, 2 and 1 minutes before each start. The winner must complete one more yard alone after the last other runner stops. |
| Start | 9:00 AM Saturday, October 24 (NZDT) |
| Field size | Big’s Backyard Ultra lists a capacity of 250. The 2025 race was capped at 200 and 200 runners started, according to the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council; Yardlore lists 206 participants. About 150 started in 2024 and about 120 in 2023. |
| Highlights | Free Entry, Flat River Loop |
River-Run Backyard Ultra winners
Winner and assist for each edition, with yards completed.
| Year | Winner | Yards | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Glenn Tomlinson | 43 | Daniel Beswick (42) |
| 2024 | Fiona Hayvice | 37 | Ketina Chivasa (36) |
| 2023 | Chris Newson | 28 | Craig Thompson (27) |
2023 and 2024 are from the organizer’s results pages. The organizer has not posted a 2025 results page; 2025 is from the council’s race report and Yardlore.
Sources: Official 2024 results; Official 2023 results; Central Hawke’s Bay District Council 2025 race report; Yardlore 2025 results.
Course & Terrain
One flat 6.7 km loop for the whole race, starting and finishing at the A&P Showgrounds. Big’s Backyard Ultra lists 30 ft of climb per loop; Yardlore gives 9 m.
Key course features to know before comparing this race:
- Tukituki River trails
- Covered start/finish area at the A&P Showgrounds
Limestone paths and dirt singletrack along the Tukituki River. The organizer says the course can get slippery or muddy in cold or wet weather and recommends grippy shoes.
The organizer warns it can get warm during the day and very cold overnight. There is no compulsory gear, but warm layers, a waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, spare socks and a headlamp are recommended.
Entry & Logistics
| Registration and fees | Check the official event website for current availability, deadlines, prices, taxes, and refund terms. |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Open entry with no qualifying result. Entry is free through Webscorer. There is no minimum age, but runners under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and under-18s need a parent or guardian to approve the waiver. |
| Support model | Self-supported with no aid station on the loop. Water taps, hot water, a few snacks and a fire are at the start/finish, which has a large covered area and toilets. A portaloo sits about halfway around the course. A team member on a bicycle follows each night loop. |
| Crew / pacers | Crews may help only in the event village between yards. Runners may not accept help from anyone on the course, which is a public trail, and eliminated runners may not run on it. Poles are not allowed. |
| Logistics note | Event HQ opens at 6:00 AM for setup and registration, and the compulsory briefing is at 8:30 AM. Runners can pitch a tent or marquee near the start; camping at the venue is free, and Friday-night or multi-night camping is booked with the race director. Waipukurau is about 45 minutes from Hastings and about 3.5 hours by road from Wellington. A free Kids Classic starts at 1:00 PM on about 500 m laps every 6 minutes. |
Why This Race Matters
River-Run is organized by a group of local Hawke’s Bay runners, with Josh Lloyd as race director. It is free to enter: runners are asked for a donation, and money left over goes to the Waipukurau Rotary River Pathways Trust. The last man standing and the last woman standing each receive $500 cash. Chris Newson won the first edition in 2023 with 28 yards from about 120 starters. In 2024 about 150 runners started, and Fiona Hayvice won outright with 37 yards (247.9 km), one more than Ketina Chivasa. In 2025 entries were capped at 200 and Glenn Tomlinson of Gisborne won with 43 yards, finishing at about 4:00 AM on Monday, one yard ahead of Daniel Beswick.
Historical benchmark notes in the directory record (verify current records with the linked official sources):
- Course record: Glenn Tomlinson, 43 yards, 2025 (Yardlore; council race report)
- Women: Fiona Hayvice, 37 yards (247.9 km), 2024, the outright win
- First edition: Chris Newson, 28 yards, 2023
Preparing for a Race Like River-Run Backyard Ultra
The backyard ultra race guide covers the format as a whole. These guides go deeper:
- Backyard ultras explained: Rules, distance math, current records and how a race ends.
- Backyard ultra training plan: A 16-week framework with hourly-loop rehearsals and a printable worksheet.
- Backyard ultra race strategy: Loop pacing, the routine between loops, sleep and knowing when to stop.
- Backyard ultra nutrition: A tested fueling routine for eating and drinking between loops.
Best Fit
- First-time backyard runners on a flat, runnable loop
- Runners chasing a long backyard total without paying an entry fee
Planning Notes
- Practice the exact hourly routine: loop, eat, foot check, bottle refill, and back to the start. The format rewards repeatability.
- Train for terrain-specific fatigue. Technical trails and mountain courses demand downhill durability, hiking efficiency, and reliable night lighting.
- The directory marks this as having comparatively simpler logistics. That editorial label is not a safety rating; verify cutoffs, terrain, support, crew access, and withdrawal procedures.
- Registration closes on Wednesday, October 21
- Muddy or slippery singletrack if it rains
- No late starts: runners outside the corral at the bell are out
Event FAQs
When does the River-Run Backyard Ultra 2026 start?
The first 6.7 km yard starts at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the A&P Showgrounds in Waipukurau. Event HQ opens at 6:00 AM and the compulsory briefing is at 8:30 AM. A new yard starts every hour until one runner is left.
Is the River-Run Backyard Ultra free to enter?
Yes. Entry is free through Webscorer, and the organizer asks for a donation instead. Money left over goes to the Waipukurau Rotary River Pathways Trust. Registration for 2026 closes at 8:59 PM NZDT on Wednesday, October 21.
What is the River-Run Backyard Ultra course record?
43 yards, set by Glenn Tomlinson in 2025, when Daniel Beswick was the assist with 42. Fiona Hayvice holds the women’s record with 37 yards from 2024, when she won outright. Big’s Backyard Ultra’s race page still shows her 37 as the record.
Related Preparation
- Compare this race in the full 2026 calendar
- Browse the 2026 backyard ultra calendar
- Open the Backyard Ultra format guide
- Compare all race formats
- Use the timed-race pace calculator
- Build a backyard yard and rest-time schedule
- Build a crew and drop-bag plan
- Build a race-specific gear checklist
Verification & Sources
Verification scope: the listed edition's date, location, format, and available logistics were checked against the event-specific official sources below during the directory review dated October 20, 2026. Organizers can revise details after review.
- Official River-Run Backyard Ultra — https://www.river-run.co.nz/
- Official 2026 event schedule — https://www.river-run.co.nz/event-info/event-schedule
- Official course and event HQ — https://www.river-run.co.nz/event-info/the-course-event-hq
- Official backyard ultra rules — https://www.river-run.co.nz/event-info/backyard-ultra-rules
- Official 2026 registration (Webscorer) — https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=427685
- Big’s Backyard Ultra race listing — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/rive-run-backyard-ultra/
- Official 2024 results — https://www.river-run.co.nz/results/2024-results
- Yardlore event history — https://www.yardlore.com/backyards/river-run-backyard-ultra
- Multiday Running event directory review scope: October 20, 2026.