THE DISTRICT BACK YARD ULTRA

COMING SOON - BYU INFO PACK

The District Back Yard Ultra

Welcome to The District Backyard Ultra.

A brand-new official Backyard Ultra from Heart and Soul Racing, set in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside at Into the Woods.

The format is simple. Run 4.167 miles every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains.

There is no finish line. No set distance. No fixed finish time.

Everyone starts together. Every hour.

Finish your yard within the hour and you earn the right to start again.

Miss the next start and your race is over.

The last runner standing wins.

How far will you go?

What is a Back Yard Ultra

Runners must complete a 4.167-mile loop, known as a “yard”, every hour.

The first yard starts on the hour and runners have 60 minutes to complete the course and return to the start area.

Whatever time you have left is yours to eat, drink, change, rest and prepare for the next yard.

At the start of the next hour, the bell rings and everyone still in the race must start again.

You cannot start late.

You cannot receive assistance while completing a yard.

You cannot leave the course and return.

Fail to complete the yard within the hour or fail to start the next yard, and your race is over.

The race continues until only one runner remains. That runner must complete one final yard alone to be declared the winner.

Everyone else records a DNF.

There can only be one finisher.

Location

The location has officially been revealed, and it’s a good one!

The District Backyard Ultra is heading to Into the Woods, Cumbria, with incredible views towards Blencathra and the Lake District fells to the west and the Pennine Hills to the east.

The route is undulating and highly runnable, giving you spectacular Lake District scenery without the huge elevation you might expect from an event in this part of the country.

A brilliant Backyard Ultra course in an even better setting, and trust us, the views are worth it!

Race Details

The District Backyard Ultra course is a 4.167-mile loop through the beautiful grounds and surrounding countryside of Into the Woods.

The route is predominantly trail and is undulating throughout, but remains highly runnable. Don’t expect huge Lake District climbs or technical mountain terrain. This course has been chosen to give runners the opportunity to keep moving efficiently, settle into a rhythm and see just how far they can go.

Every yard starts and finishes at Race HQ, where runners will return to their crew, tents and support area before lining up to go again.

Day turns to night. The miles build. The field gets smaller.

Until only one runner remains.

First and only official BYU in the Lake's

The District Backyard Ultra is proud to be the first and only official Backyard Ultra held in the Lake District.

Hosted at the stunning Into the Woods venue in Cumbria, this event brings Lazarus Lake's legendary format to one of the UK's most iconic landscapes. Expect incredible views across to Blencathra and the surrounding Lake District fells, with the Pennine Hills stretching out to the east.

We've deliberately designed a course that showcases the beauty of the area without the brutal mountain climbs many associate with the Lakes. The result is an undulating, highly runnable route that allows runners of all abilities to settle into the Backyard format and keep chasing one more yard.

Whether you're aiming for your first Backyard Ultra or looking to push your personal best, there's no better place to find out just how far you can go.

INTO THE WOODS CUMBIRA

RACE HQ

Race HQ is the heart of The District Backyard Ultra.

Every hour, runners will return to the main event area where they can rest, refuel and prepare for the next yard.

Each runner will have space within the designated runner area for their own setup, including a chair, supplies and essential race equipment.

Crews and supporters are welcome to help runners between yards, but runners must complete each yard entirely under their own power.

As the race progresses, Race HQ becomes the centre of everything.

The countdowns. The tired legs. The celebrations. The DNFs.

And eventually, the last runners standing.

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For Everyone: Your Race, Your Distance

Every Yard Counts

You don’t need to be an ultra-runner to take part. Walk, jog, or run - every loop counts, every start line matters.

The course is fully marked, looping back to HQ each hour, where you’ll find food, music, and a buzzing crew area.

Bring your gazebo or tent to set up your own mini-base between laps - this is where the magic (and madness) happens.

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For the Grit: Push Past Your Limits

The Hour Always Wins

Every lap resets the clock. Each hour becomes a battle between comfort and commitment.

The format rewards pacing, patience, and pure determination.

Whether you’re chasing your first ultra or your furthest ever distance, LSD is where you’ll find out what you’re really made of.

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  • ELITE RUNNERS

    • 30+ yards in any Backyard Ultra (last 2 years) → 50% off
    • 40+ yards → 60% off
    • 50+ yards → 75% off
    • Backyard winner (within the last 2 years) → Free entry*

    *Offical BYU results only

  • The Prize Pot

    There’s only one winner at District. Everyone else… DNF.

    The Last Standing will take home £500 in Start Fitness vouchers, and serious bragging rights as the Lake's first Official Backyard champion.

    Everyone else will still walk away with something, we’ll reveal that soon. Because at Heart & Soul Racing, even a DNF means you showed up and stood your ground.

  • Information

    The official District Race Pack will be released soon- and linked right here.

    It will include:

    • Full Backyard Ultra rules

    • Any mandatory kit and safety info

    • Crew and camping details

    • Timetable and registration info

    • What’s included in your entry

    Everything you need to know to get ready for the North’s toughest new endurance event — all in one slick PDF.
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