May 9, 2026
What is a Backyard Ultra?
A Backyard Ultra is a form of running event where competitors try to consecutively run a loop measuring 6.7km in less than one hour.
Each competitor chooses how quickly they run the loop (known as a yard) and when each yard is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover before the next yard starts on the hour.
Competitors complete as many yards as they can and the winner is the last person to complete a lap within the allocated hour.
Minimal elevation gain
Beautiful scenery
Well-marked trails
A course for both novice and seasoned runners!
NZ Championship course
Best Dam Backyard Ultra takes in the day loop run by the NZ team in the 2024 BYU Team World Championship.
The corral will be based at the Boat Harbour Camping Ground about 600m around the loop from the original corral at the Otematata Hotel.
Best Dam Backyard Ultra
- Start time: 9am, Saturday, May 9th
- Runners must finish the loop in one hour
- Following laps start every hour on the hour
- If a runner does not start a lap on the hour they are eliminated.
- If a runner does not finish a lap within the hour they DNF (Did Not Finish)
- Winner is the last person to complete a lap within an hour
- If the last runner does not complete a lap within an hour there is no winner
Otematata Wetlands
- Well marked trails
- Minimal vert
- Scenic views of wetlands, Lake Aviemore and mountains
- Camping available from Friday evening
10% of entry fees will go towards maintenance and development of the Otematata Wetlands.
“each time you step up a level, you find out you can do a lot more than you thought you could do“
Laz Lake
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Best Dam Backyard Ultra 