Questions,
answered.

One yard starts every hour on the hour. Finish in less than one hour, use the time left to recover, then start again at the next bell. The race ends when one runner completes one more yard than everyone else. There is no preset finish time or distance.

Exactly 4 miles and 880 feet, or 6.7056 km. That is approximately 4.167 miles. Six completed yards equal 25 miles, 12 equal 50 miles, and 24 equal 100 miles.

If you finish a yard in 48 minutes, you have 12 minutes before the next start. Eat, rest, change and reset, then return to the corral. You will hear three whistles three minutes before the start, two whistles two minutes before, and one whistle one minute before. Enter the corral under your own power and be fully inside when the bell rings. Everyone starts with the field on the hour.

Your race is over. Every active runner must enter the corral under their own power, be fully inside and start at the bell on the hour. There are no late starts.

The yard does not count and your race is over. You must finish in less than one hour, including the deciding yard. A finish at exactly 60:00 is not valid.

That is how the traditional format records results: one official winner, with everyone else technically DNF. Your completed yards remain your official result. The label does not erase a new distance, a night of running or a personal best.

The winner completes one more yard than every other runner. If two runners start a yard and only one finishes within the hour, that completed yard decides the race. No additional yard is run. Being the last runner to start is not enough; the final yard must still be completed in less than one hour. If nobody completes one more yard than everyone else, there is no winner.

There is a strict one-hour limit for each yard. There is no overall yard cap, distance cap or preset ending time for the race.

Yes. MBU follows the traditional Backyard Ultra rules and is listed on the Big's Backyard Ultra race calendar for December 19, 2026. A calendar listing does not by itself establish a championship qualification or ticket status.

Read the complete official Backyard Ultra handbook.

Yes. Previous Backyard experience is not required. Learn the rules and prepare for repeated hourly starts. Your question might begin with two yards or carry you into the night. Everyone competes in the same race.

No previous Backyard Ultra or ultramarathon experience is required. Be prepared for the course, conditions and repeated hourly starts. You may run, walk or combine both, provided you complete every yard in less than one hour and start the next on time. Everyone follows the same rules; there are no separate personal-distance categories.

No. Trekking poles and other artificial aids are prohibited under the Backyard Ultra rules.

Yes. The time between your finish and the next bell is yours. You still need to be inside the corral and start on time. You cannot skip a yard to sleep and return later.

During an active yard, only a brief restroom excursion is permitted. Return to the exact point where you left without gaining distance. Do not leave the course to rest or visit your tent or crew. You must still complete the full yard in less than one hour.

Yes. You may choose not to start the next yard. Tell race staff when you withdraw so your status and completed yards can be recorded correctly.

MBU is open to ages 18 and older. RunSignup currently lists entry at $149 plus registration fees per runner, with a field limit of 500. Review current pricing and availability on RunSignup and the official refund policy before registering.

REGISTER ON RUNSIGNUP

OFFICIAL REFUND POLICY

You can run solo or choose an optional duo or team of four. Each runner registers and pays individually, follows the same Backyard Ultra rules and remains eligible for the individual result. Teams are not relays: everyone runs independently, and the team's score is the sum of all valid completed loops. Duos are ranked against duos and teams of four against teams of four. If one runner stops, their completed loops still count and teammates may continue. Existing registrants can join a team without paying again.

Yes. Up to three crew members may support you at once, and they may rotate. Crew support is permitted between yards in the designated support area. Final access, credentials and overnight procedures will be included in the Athlete Guide.

No. Once a yard begins, crew and other non-competitors may not provide personal aid until you complete it. That includes handing you food, water or gear. Any shared on-course station, if offered, is self-service water or electrolytes only: fill your own bottle, with no personal handoffs or volunteer bottle filling. Basecamp aid and crew support are for between yards.

No pacers or other non-competitors may accompany you on course, even for part of a yard. This also applies to eliminated runners. You may naturally run or walk alongside other competitors who are still active.

Yes, in designated areas. Spectators must keep the active course, corral, runner support spaces and emergency routes clear. Final access hours and site procedures will be published before race day.

MBU is mainly self-supported. Bring your own food, nutrition and personal supplies. Water and a limited supply of Näak drink mix will be provided. Final aid locations and procedures will be included in the Athlete Guide. Crew support is only permitted between yards. No specific on-course aid station is confirmed. Any shared on-course station, if offered, is self-service water or electrolytes only: fill your own bottle, with no personal handoffs or volunteer bottle filling.

The main runner area will be in the Marine Stadium parking lot. Tent spaces up to 10×10 ft are first come, first served. A registration planning response does not reserve a particular space or service. A generator is planned, but runner access to electricity or charging is not confirmed. Bring your own power for the equipment you expect to use. Full setup and overnight instructions will be in the Athlete Guide.

The first yard starts Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM EST at Miami Marine Stadium / Virginia Key in Miami, Florida. All race activity takes place outdoors in the area surrounding the stadium, rather than inside the venue. Final entrance and arrival instructions will be included in the Athlete Guide.

The planned course combines dirt trail with paved or concrete sections through the Miami Marine Stadium Basin and Virginia Key setting. The final measured map and surface notes will be shared before race day.

If you plan to continue after dark, plan for a headlamp and backup light. Final required-gear and visibility instructions will be included in the Athlete Guide.

The same course is planned for the entire race, including at night. The final measured course map and nighttime instructions will be shared before race day.

Plan for heat and humidity, sun, rain and changing nighttime conditions. You may be outdoors for a long time. Follow the Athlete Guide and weather updates closer to race weekend.

Setup access is planned for the day before race day; hours and details are still to be announced. The Athlete Guide is not yet available. It will include packet pickup, check-in, arrival, and runner, crew and spectator parking instructions. A final race-week update will cover changes.