Sydney's Backyard Ultra 2026

St Ives Showground and the Jim Watson Arena provide this race with a distinct camp-and-suffer atmosphere: gazebos, a starting corral, and supporters close enough to read your face on each return. Sydney's Backyard Ultra is in its 6th edition, and the format is straightforward: run a loop every hour, then decide if you can complete another. The loop is designed for running, with moderate climbs, a central race hub, and enough visibility for spectators to see runners before they re-enter the corral. This event is for runners 18 and over who grasp that "the fastest person doesn't win!" The medal grows with distance, but the core principle is stark: "The race continues until only one person is left standing."