The Type 2 Fun Virtual Backyard Ultra

We know that, as ultra runners and mountain lovers the current restrictions are mentally and physically challenging for our community, but we’re dedicated to upholding the guidelines. Many of you may remember we had plans to launch a Backyard Ultra this year, but we failed to secure a venue before the C-pandemic arrived. However, the hint’s in the name: Backyard Ultra. A race we can all compete in while complying with social distancing, and never going too far from our front doors.

What is a Backyard Ultra?

A Backyard Ultra is a last-man-standing style of race where we run laps every hour, on the hour. To stay in the race, you have to be at the start line at the top of the hour. Miss it, and you’re out. The laps are an achievable distance on fresh legs, but as time wears on completion in under 60 minutes gets hard. Some races can last days.

How does the Virtual Backyard Ultra work?

Pick your own route, the only guideline being that it needs to be from your front door. For those with a real backyard, it may be laps like the greatest Backyard Ultra Hero, Captain (now Colonel) Tom Moore. If you can imagine using a treadmill (wow), use that. Laps around your building, an out-and-back down the street, a loop through your neighbourhood. Whatever. As most of us will be running on even ground, we’re suggesting 5 miles / 8 kilometres. If you want to participate by means of a hill that you have behind your home, that’s cool too - just figure out what is a fair route for you and let us know. Yes, this race will be very loose and completely unfair. But you know what? There isn’t a podium anyway. Just you slogging around your house like a fool all day. Which is strangely what we’re doing to stay sane, even if your neighbours won’t see it that way.

At the end of every lap, you’ll be home again, where you hopefully have a bit of time to replenish, recover, say hi to the cat/kids/partner/cactus before heading out again.

How do we race each other virtually?

We’ll all keep in touch during the race via social media and everyone’s new favourite platform, Zoom. Use the hashtag #type2backyardultra to update your progress, and join in the Zoom call (details sent on race day) at the end/start of every lap (or during if you’re not too clumsy). You will also need to record your laps in some way to verify that you participated, even if that’s just photographic evidence that you ran to the end of your street every hour. For those who don’t use online running apps or don’t wish to publish their home location, we’re just asking you to compete with integrity.

How do we enter?

Let us know on the Facebook page that you’re coming and so that we can send you the Zoom link (if you don’t use Facebook (* bloody millennials *) then email us). As this ultra was inspired by the backyard laps of Colonel Tom Moore, we’re asking you donate a registration fee to his cause. If you are outside the UK please feel free to donate to a local charity of your choosing. We aren’t going to work very hard on this (aside from actually participating), so we don’t need your money. The health services do.

Sweet. When?

The race starts Saturday morning on May 9th at 9am. It ends when the last runner gives up. We secretly hope that is sometime on Sunday, although as we’ll be staying online to cheer them on the whole way, maybe not.