Antwerp Backyard Ultra

At Antwerp Backyard Ultra, runners assemble in the municipal park of Schelle, near Antwerp, for a June ultra. The rule is simple yet unforgiving: every hour, all participants begin another 6.706 km loop. Each runner must finish the loop within the hour and then re-enter the line for the next hour's start. The race continues day and night until only one person can complete a full loop. Success depends less on speed and more on pacing, recovery, and the mental fortitude to continue as the routine becomes taxing. The loop begins and ends at Hamerstraat 1 in Schelle, crossing a flat but diverse park route indicated by arrows. The field is limited to 100 runners, all 18 years or older, with each participant allowed to register a support person. The facilities include catering, medical assistance, showers, a visible timer in the start area, and social media updates as the number of runners decreases. Headlamps are mandatory from sunset to sunrise. The victor receives a Silver Ticket for the World Team Championship.