FAQ
What is a Backyard Ultra?
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.
When and where is MBU?
The first yard starts Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM EST in the outdoor Miami Marine Stadium Basin / Virginia Key area in Miami, Florida, not inside the stadium. The main runner area will be in the Miami Marine Stadium parking lot. Final entrance and arrival instructions will be included in the Athlete Guide.
How long is each yard?
Exactly 4 miles and 880 feet, or 6.7056 km. That is approximately 4.167 miles. Twenty-four completed yards equal 100 miles.
What is the course like?
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.
How does each hour work?
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 bell, two whistles two minutes before, and one whistle one minute before. Enter the starting corral under your own power, be fully inside, and start with the field at the on-the-hour bell.
Can MBU be my first Backyard Ultra?
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.
Do I need to be an ultrarunner?
No previous ultramarathon finish is required. Prepare for the course, conditions and time you hope to stay active. There are no separate personal-distance categories.
Can I run solo or join a team?
You can run solo or choose an optional duo or team of four. Each runner follows the same Backyard Ultra rules and retains their individual result. Teams are not relays. Existing registrants can join without paying again. Read the team scoring and registration details.
Can I have a crew?
Yes. You may have up to three crew members with you at a time, and crew members may rotate. Crew support is permitted only between yards in the designated support area. Final access, credentials and overnight procedures will be included in the Athlete Guide.
Can crew help during a yard?
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. If an on-course station is offered, it 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 separate and take place between yards.
Can someone run or walk with me? Are pacers allowed?
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.
Can I use trekking poles?
No. Trekking poles and other artificial aids are prohibited under the Backyard Ultra rules.
Can I sleep between yards?
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.
Can I leave the course?
During a yard, only for restroom use. Otherwise, stay on the course until you complete the full yard.
What happens if I miss the start?
Your race is over. Every active runner must enter the corral under their own power, be fully inside, and start at the on-the-hour bell. There are no late starts.
What happens if I fail to finish in one hour?
The yard does not count and your race is over. You must finish in less than one hour, including the deciding yard.
Can I voluntarily stop?
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.
Why will almost everyone be listed DNF?
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.
How is the winner determined?
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. The deciding yard must still be completed in less than one hour. If nobody completes one more yard than everyone else, there is no winner.
Is there a cutoff?
Each yard must be completed in less than one hour. There is no overall yard cap, distance cap or preset ending time.
Are spectators allowed?
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.
Will I need a headlamp?
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.
Will the course change at night?
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.
What should I expect from Miami weather?
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.
What aid will MBU provide?
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.
When will packet pickup and parking details be announced?
They are being finalized. The Athlete Guide before race weekend will include packet pickup, check-in, arrival and runner, crew and spectator parking instructions. A final race-week update will cover any changes.
What is the basecamp plan?
The main runner area will be in the Miami Marine Stadium parking lot. Maximum tent space is 10 x 10 ft and is available first come, first served. Day-before setup is planned; exact access hours and procedures will be published in the Athlete Guide. Registration planning questions help us prepare; they do not reserve a particular setup.
Will electricity or charging be available?
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.
How many runners can enter?
The field is limited to 500 runners.
Does MBU follow the official Backyard rules? Is it on Big's calendar?
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.
