MULTIDAYRUNNING
🔄 Backyard UltraBUA

World Backyard Ultra Team Championship

The premier backyard ultra team event. National teams of 15 runners compete simultaneously at satellite sites worldwide. Each runner completes 4.167-mile loops every hour. The country with the most total loops wins.

Official WebsiteBack to Events

Event dates, entry rules, qualification standards, and course details can change. Always verify current information on the official event website before registering or booking travel.

Event Overview

DateOct 17, 2026
Location🇺🇸 Bell Buckle, Tennessee, USA (and worldwide satellite sites)
FormatBackyard Ultra
TerrainTrail
RegionNorth America
CutoffNo fixed finish time. Runners must finish each yard within the hour and start the next one on time.
StartOctober 17, 2026; local start procedures vary by national site.
Field sizeNational teams are built from Silver Ticket winners and at-large qualifying performances.
SanctioningBUA
HighlightsWorld Championship, Global Satellite Format

Course & Terrain

Backyard ultra format: 6.706 km / 4.167 miles every hour until runners can no longer continue.

Key course features to know before comparing this race:

  • World Team Championship date: October 17, 2026
  • National teams competing simultaneously at satellite sites
  • All team members are scoring members

Terrain depends on the national host site, but every yard must be the standard backyard distance.

Entry & Logistics

QualificationTeam selection is based on country-specific Silver Ticket events and at-large results during the qualifying window.
Support modelEach national site runs the same backyard format, with all team members scoring for the team competition.
Crew / pacersBackyard rules do not allow pacing on the course; crew help is limited to the time between yards.
Logistics noteRunners should follow their national team's selection and site instructions rather than treating this as a normal open-entry race.

Why This Race Matters

World Backyard Ultra Team Championship is a useful reference point for runners comparing backyard ultra events. Its format, terrain, and support model shape the kind of preparation required: not just fitness, but pacing discipline, nutrition planning, foot care, and the ability to make good decisions under fatigue.

Best Fit

  • Elite backyard runners seeking national-team selection
  • Athletes with proven repeated-hour execution
  • Runners who can stay useful to a team score deep into the race

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.
  • This is not marked as a beginner-friendly event. Confirm qualification standards, support rules, and registration requirements before building a season around it.
  • This is a team championship, not a typical local backyard ultra
  • Selection depends on Silver Ticket and at-large performance routes
  • The race has no scheduled end, so crew planning must scale beyond one day

Event FAQs

When is the 2026 World Backyard Ultra Team Championship?

The official Road to Big's page lists the World Team Championship for October 17, 2026.

How is the World Backyard Ultra Team Championship scored?

National teams compete at the same time, and all members are scoring members for their country.

Sources

  1. Official Road to Big's page — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/road-to-bigs/
  2. Multiday Running event directory data, last reviewed June 2026.