The Brighton Backyard Ultra offers a challenging format set against the scenic backdrop of Dunedin’s coastal and rural landscape. Competitors run a 6.7km loop starting and finishing at the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club each hour. This loop includes diverse terrains such as beachfront stretches, rocky paths, and a bridge crossing, encapsulating a variety of natural elements that add to the physical demands of the race.
Participants must complete each loop within one hour before they can start the next loop at the beginning of the following hour. This cycle continues until only one runner is able to complete a lap when all others cannot, crowning them as the ‘last one standing’. The race’s format requires strategic pacing and stamina, with recovery periods between laps that are crucial for refueling and resting.
The event is deeply integrated with the local community, involving the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club not only as a logistical base but also as a part of the race’s communal atmosphere. This race not only tests physical and mental endurance but also encapsulates a distinct sense of camaraderie and local spirit, making it a unique fixture in New Zealand’s running calendar.
