Challenge Running Ltd

Ready to live the Suffolk Backyard Ultra all over again?

The photos are ready. Dave has worked tirelessly getting the gallery together and we think they're incredible 😍

All downloads are free and without watermark at point of delivery!

https://fellsidephotography.pixieset.com/suffolkbackyardultra2026/

Hi all I have been busy the last couple of weeks and from this week will catch up with admin tasks I have neglected.

Thames Ring post race shirt orders will be posted out this week. Sorry for the slowness.

A few of you have ordered post race shirts for Suffolk backyard although we have not released what stick we actually have or set up a payment link yet. The shirts you have been ordering are for 2027 racers.

I will catch up with volunteer stuff and final race info for the 24 hour event later this year.

I will start over the next few weeks to update the St Edmunds way info on the website and start to plan venues.

Lindley

To poles or not to poles. That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler on the trails to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous climbs, or to take up poles against a sea of elevation... Or whatever Shakespeare said.

Should poles be allowed in races? Are they useful tools or an unnecessary crutch?

Share your Sunday views in the comments!

Blink and it's almost time to head back to Thetford Forest.

Join us for 6, 12 or 24 hours on your own, in pairs, mixed pairs, teams, mixed teams - the options are endless (no really, they are endless, the 2027 entries are open too so make sure you click the one you actually want)

There's still a week to sign up and see how far you can go on our amazing backyard ultra course... But there's no point waiting a week. Head to the website and sign up now....

Saturday 11th July, Suffolk.

We'll be ready for you!!

https://www.challenge-running.com/e/thetford-24-hour-14872

Can we do it again yet?

What an event 2026 was 🤩 The highest highs and lowest lows felt by everyone involved. This is what makes the BYU an absolutely unmissable experience.

Entries are open for 2027. They are also open for our Thetford BYU in September along with it's 6 and 12 hour formats.

With our flat, fast route, Thetford is the perfect place to discover what you're capable of. As an official Big's affiliated event, every yard is on a course delivered with consistency, and attention to detail so you can trust that if you're going for a record or a national team, every yard will count!

Whether you're chasing a PB, a milestone, or simply want to see how far you can go, we can't wait to welcome you to the corral!

5th June 2027: https://www.challenge-running.com/e/suffolk-back-yard-ultra-11504

12th September 2026/11th September 2027: https://www.challenge-running.com/e/thetford-back-yard-ultra-festival-11505

We asked Dave Wood to share his favourite moment from this year's Suffolk Backyard Ultra Festival. These are his top 4:

1 – I love when the event goes into its first night, the atmosphere changes. The sight of the head torches moving together, the sound of everyone’s feet pounding the gravel in the first dark mile. There’s an energy in that moment which gives a renewed sense of a unified goal for everyone on the course.

As a photographer, working with limited light means I have to look at everything differently, more creatively. The challenge evolves for me, as well as the athletes.

2 – Passing the 24hr marker is really exciting. Many will drop out because they’ve reached 24hrs or 100 miles, never knowing just how far they really could have gone. Now, the “big dogs” are barking!

I love storytelling from behind the lens. After a day with them all; personalities begin to show. Even quiet personalities can stand out. You begin to notice new friendships forming, though occasionally, they’re quickly dashed by an unexpected DNF. Athletes closing in on a qualification status for their national team and age-specific records are now within sight and the positive energy to see them reach further becomes palpable around the event village.

3 – What makes these events inspiring are the moments when the tiredness, emotions, pain and relief shows. Spreadsheet plans are the last thing on anyone’s mind when their feet blister, knees weaken and the strength of resolve is challenged in a sleep deprived mind.

The format is a celebration of failure by its very nature, even the eventual winner can falter along the way.

4 – The top moment had to be on the final lap. Dave Phillips sensed he was now the lone athlete on the course. I found him at around 2.5miles in, travelling at speed and keen to finish in style. I texted our event WhatsApp group “he's flying around”, in the hope that everyone would be ready for this impressive final lap.

I realised the problem I now had was to make it back to the finish line quicker than him! Luckily, I had learned the mazy network of forest paths well and found a way to get back, camera gear in hand, to join everyone else at the finish line to welcome him back.

What was your favourite moment?

64 Yards - 266.6 miles - Sam Mayhew
The Assist.

From the very beginning of the backyard, Sam was cool and calculated. Having ran 35 yards at a capped event previously, Sam was ready to test himself.

He drifted seamlessly through the opening 24 yards with seemingly no effort. In fact it was so seamless because as soon as Sam crossed the line, he was back in his tent with his crew in seconds. It was like clockwork because it was designed to be so.

Now....Sam's crew. Wow.

- They'd secured the closest spot to the start line
- The tent was huge, immaculate, a home away from home
- The nutrition, measured, considered, varied. Always a plan B, a plan C, probably a plan D.
- They quietly watched the competition for any nugget of information to raise Sam's spirits.
- They rotated a person sleeping so someone was always awake and fresh to help.

True friendship made the difference here. They were not going to let their man quit and Sam believed it too. You could see it on his face, he was going to reach his goal.

As tenacious as he is talented, it's blindingly obvious how strong a runner Sam is and he will go far.

This is just the beginning.
Get in Sam.

65 Yards - 270.8miles - Dave Phillips 🏆

A newcomer to the backyard format, Dave was curious about how he would fare. Dave is no stranger to long distances. With a whole host of FKTs to his name, both supported and unsupported, not to mention multiple high level race podiums, Dave knows how to manage himself on everything that tests you in a backyard:

- Sleep deprivation
- Fuelling
- Fatigue
- Mind games

With a very measured approach, he quietly moved about the course, never giving too much away, taking notes of the process. One thing that was becoming clear, he wasn't going to quit.

After the field whittled itself down, Dave's experience shone and to the benefit of all who remained. His cool calm demeanour revealing a passion for wanting to help others succeed. Forever encouraging the younger runners, it was clear he was more focused on helping them achieve their dreams than his own.

How far Dave could have gone, we'll never know, but he certainly got a glimpse of his unyielding potential, will we ever see him reach it?

Congratulations Dave, what an inspiration.

Sam and Dave are out on the 64th yard.

One more yard till daylight pushes its way between the trees to light the forest on the 4th day and almost 267 miles.

Will we reach 72 hours and 300 miles at 12pm today, will we continue on to towards 96 hours and 400 miles tomorrow?

They currently look strong and are consistent at around 51mins per lap.

Who knows...